20+ Holiday Happenings in the Madison Area

By Katrina Simyab | Photo courtesy Edgewater Hotel

Looking for ideas to celebrate the season in the Madison area? We’ve got you covered.

TERRIFIC TREE LIGHTINGS

’Tis the season to marvel at a tree all aglow!

• After your Thanksgiving festivities, partake in fun activities at The Edgewater Holiday Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. A visit from Santa is expected, along with a light display during Middleton’s Light the Green (Nov. 30).
• Celebrate with street dancers and a procession of fire trucks at the Sun Prairie Fire & Lights Holiday Parade (Nov. 30).
• A 20-foot tree adorned with 10,000 lights will add to the ambiance as carolers serenade the ice rink at Light the Ice in Monona (Nov. 30).
• Get design inspiration from gleaming trees — all decorated by local businesses — at the DeForest Community Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec. 4)!

LOVELY LIGHT DISPLAYS

During the holidays, the city comes alive with twinkling light displays.

• Olin Park transforms into the Holiday Fantasy in Lights, a drive-through experience that instantly evokes seasonal nostalgia (starts Nov. 11).
• Walk or drive through a radiant winter wonderland as Waunakee celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Rotary Lights (starts Nov. 24).
• The University Avenue Holiday Lights have been glowing since 1996 and will soon add their sparkle to the west side of Madison again.
• Explore Henry Vilas Zoo after dark at Zoo Lights (Nov. 29-Dec. 29) — tickets include unlimited carousel rides.
• A short drive away, Janesville’s stunning Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show is a tradition for many area families (starts Nov. 9).

SHOP SMALL, SHOP LOCAL

Support local and get your seasonal shopping done with unique holiday market gifts!

• On five upcoming Saturdays (Nov. 16, 23; Dec. 7, 14, 21), shop local produce and handmade goods with a bit of festive flair at the Dane County Farmers’ Market Holiday Market.
• Avid readers can support the Waunakee Library and snag a sweet treat by attending the library’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale (Nov. 23).
• Kick off Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 in downtown Sun Prairie with a prize passport for the first 100 shoppers.
• Browse gift options that have been ethically and humanely produced at Madison’s 27th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival (Dec. 2).
• Partake in your favorite beverage and beautiful Chazen Museum artwork at the Sip and Shop Holiday Art Market (Dec. 5).
• Grab your friends for a night of fun and exclusive shopping specials in downtown Sun Prairie at Ladies Night Out (Dec. 5).
• “Gift To-Go Boxes” are back at the Holiday Art Market at Food Concepts Inc. (Dec. 7-8) in Middleton — and even better — each vendor donates at least 20% of their proceeds to WayForward Resources.

KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS

Create lasting memories and spark holiday joy with events for children of all ages.

• Starting on Nov. 30, Sun Prairie hosts Santa Saturdays, where families can enjoy holiday activities and capture the perfect Christmas card photo with Saint Nick.
• Train enthusiasts will delight in Olbrich’s Holiday Express, featuring model trains winding through festive scenes filled with poinsettias and fresh trees (starts Dec. 7).
• Little dancers will love the timeless tale of “The Nutcracker” performed by Dance Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Union Theater (Dec. 21 and 22). (And click here for more family-friendly holiday performances!)
• Grab a flashlight and participate in Middleton’s Candy Cane Hunt (Dec. 13) for outdoor fun with a nighttime treasure hunt twist.

FUN FESTIVALS

The Madison area has many festive opportunities to get your jingle on.

• Warm up by the fire ring before going into full holly jolly mode at the Baraboo Community Christmas Market (Nov. 23).
• Enjoy a merry and bright Waunakee evening at the Light the Night Parade (Dec. 6).
• Christmas in the Grove transforms Cottage Grove’s Main Street into a spectacular holiday lights parade (Dec. 6).
• Grab a location map and vote for your favorite neighborhood decorations during Fitchburg’s Holiday Lights Tour and Jubilee (Dec. 13-15).

This article was originally published in November 2024 on our sister publication, BRAVA Magazine. To find more things to do in the Madison area, visit bravamagazine.com.