Over the river and through the woods… to the Lake Geneva area many families go during the holiday season. And why not? Lake Geneva and greater Walworth County pull out all the stops to celebrate the season. (Did you know that Elkhorn is known as the “Christmas Card Town”?) From hometown parades featuring tons of delightful holiday entertainment to brunches with Santa; from holiday train rides to Christmas concerts and gingerbread houses, there are endless opportunities to get in the holiday spirit in the Lake Geneva area this year. We’ve got all the details you need to make the most of the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas Parades
- Friday, Dec 6: Burlington Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Parade viewing from historic downtown Burlington and a tree lighting ceremony afterward. Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling and music will accompany the tree lighting. Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Burlington; tree lighting to follow in Wehmhoff Square Park; (262) 763-6044 or experienceburlingtonwi.org.
- Saturday, Dec 7: Elkhorn Annual Christmas Card Town Parade. Christmas decorated floats, novelty acts, music, animals and Santa and Mrs. Claus. 1:30 p.m., downtown Elkhorn; (262) 723-5788 or elkhornchamber.com.
- Saturday, Dec 7: 49th Annual Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade. A beloved annual tradition with lighted floats and volunteers handing out candy. Begins at 5 p.m., along Broad Street in downtown Lake Geneva; (262) 248-4416 or visitlakegeneva.com.
- Saturday, Dec 7: Christmas Parade Train, Mukwonago to East Troy. A holiday tradition dating back to 1972. Spectators can catch a glimpse of Santa on the train from inside their heated vehicles along County Road ES. The parade train departs the Elegant Farmer at 5 p.m. and arrives at approximately 6:30 p.m. in East Troy. Call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org.
Santa Appearances
- Breakfast with Santa at Lake Lawn Resort. 11/20, 12/1, 12/7-12/8. Enjoy a fully stocked breakfast buffet, enjoy a wagon ride around the property and meet Santa himself. Tickets are $35 for adults or $16 for kids. Seatings at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan. Call (262) 725-9214 for reservations.
- Grand Geneva’s Illumination Ceremony. 11/24, 4:30-9 p.m. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa will flip the switch on more than two million lights throughout the resort and follow it up with a dazzling fireworks display. Roam the resort taking in all of the sights and sounds of the holidays and stroll through the Gingerbread House Walk. Enjoy activities for the kids, a visit from Santa, holiday cookies and hot apple cider. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to those in need in the local community. Also, new this year, enjoy Santa’s Illumination Feast in the Grand Cafe from 4-9 p.m. The event will support Walworth County Deputy Sheriff Department and its Toys for Kids program.Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva; (262) 248-8811 or grandgeneva.com.
- Christmas Trains. 11/24-11/25, 11/29-11/30, 12/1, 12/4, 12/6-12/9, 12/11, 12/13-12/16, 12/18, 12/20-12/21. Enjoy a magical experience on Santa’s special train, from the East Troy Depot to Santa’s workshop located at the Elegant Farmer. Here children can visit Santa and get a photo taken. Trips leave from the East Troy Railroad Depot, 5 p.m. Online advanced reservations required. East Troy Depot, East Troy. Call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org.
- Brunch with Santa at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. 11/25, 11/30-12/1, 12/7-12/8, 12/14-12/15, 12/21-12/22. Seatings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Cost is $55 for adults and $25 for kids ages 3-12. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva. Call (262) 394-4788 for reservations.
- Santa Cruise. 11/29-12/29. Embark on a magical Christmas cruise to Santa’s North Pole Hideaway. Along your lake tour, you will be enchanted by holiday lights and displays, plus an appearance by the Big Man himself. Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Gage Marine – Winter Harbor, 1 Leichty Dr., Williams Bay. Call (262) 248-6206 or visit santacruiselakegeneva.com for tickets.
- Santa’s Landing at The Abbey Resort. 11/30, 5-7 p.m.Experience the beginning of the Christmas season when Santa arrives at The Abbey Resort, Fontana. Call (262) 275-9000 or visit theabbeyresort.com.
- Brunch with Santa at The Abbey Resort. 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22, 12/25: Meet the man himself and get a photo during Harborside Sunday Brunch a la Carte at 240 West. Tickets are $50 for adults, and $25 for children. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, 240 West, The Abbey Resort, Fontana; (262) 275-9000 or theabbeyresort.com.
- Brunch with Santa at Alpine Valley Resort. 12/8: Enjoy a buffet brunch and photos with Santa. While walk-ups are welcome, there may be a wait. Reservations strongly recommended. $23.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 2-12. Brunch served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., photos continue until 3 p.m. Call (262) 684-2538 or visit shop.alpinevalleyresort.com for a nonrefundable, prepaid reservation.
Holiday Activities
- Parade of Trees. 11/23-1/5. Admire Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and individuals while touring the museum. Fridays through Mondays. Geneva Lake Museum, Lake Geneva. Call (262) 248-6060 or visit genevalakemuseum.org/parade-of-trees.
- Gingerbread House Walk. 11/24-12/31: Explore artisan gingerbread houses at your own pace. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva; (262) 248-8811 or grandgeneva.com.
- Trolley Tour of Lights. 11/25-12/30 (no tours on Christmas Day). Hop aboard the festive Grand Geneva trolley for a memorable tour around the resort to see all of the outdoor holiday light displays. Enjoy the view with 3D glasses, transforming the vibrant lights into a mesmerizing spectacle, and sing-a-long to the 12 days of Christmas. Prepare to be entertained by Santa’s elves, who bring the holiday spirit to life. It’s not just a tour; it’s a joyous celebration of the holidays. Tickets for non-resort guests are $20/adults, $15 for children 3-12. Tours leave from 5-8 p.m. on the hour; advanced reservations are required. Visit grandgeneva.com.
- Farm of Lights. 11/29-12/31. A fun, drive-through light experience featuring over 100,000 LED-controlled lights on a route of more than half a mile. Along the way, you’ll experience drive-through light tunnels and impressive Christmas trees. You’ll spot Rudolph and his reindeer pals, plus other beloved, holiday-favorite characters. 40700 119th St., Genoa City; visit farmoflights.com.
- Let It Glow Festival. 12/6-12/8. What was formerly a drive-through light display experience is now a fun and free holiday event with food trucks, outdoor entertainment, mulled wine, seasonal brews and the Santa Garage, a walk-through holiday experience. Uncle Hunk’s Junk Building & Park, 203 E. Walworth St., Elkhorn; (262) 723-5788 or elkhornchamber.com.
- “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” 12/6-12/8, 12/13-15. The beloved holiday film gets a musical treatment by the Lakeland Players youth actors. Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Historic Sprague Theatre, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn; (262) 441-3924 or Lakeland-players.org.
- World’s Tallest Glass Tree. 12/6-12/8, 12/3-12/15, 12/20-12/22. Rob and Sarah Elliot and glass artist Jason Mack are set to return to once again build the World’s Tallest Glass Tree using recycled glass bottles donated by the community. Fridays 4-7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 12-7 p.m. Tickets start at $5; must park in Williams Bay High School parking lot. Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay; worldtallestglasstree.com.
- Home for the Holidays at Old World Wisconsin. 12/7-12/8, 12/14-12/15. Explore vibrant holiday traditions brought to Wisconsin by immigrant ancestors while creating new holiday memories. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; (608) 264-4848 or oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.orgfor tickets.
- East Troy Lights. 12/7-12/31. During the month of December, East Troy’s downtown square is transformed into a dazzling light show timed to music. On Fridays and Saturdays, the light show becomes an immersive experience, with light tunnels, hot chocolate, cookie decorating and holiday performances. Kids can hunt for the special “candy cane wands” in the Candy Cane Adventure — if they find one, they can control the lights. East Troy Square, downtown East Troy; visit easttroylights.com.
- “John Denver and The Muppets” tribute Christmas Concert. 12/14-12/15. Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Malt House Theatre, Burlington; (262) 763-9873 or thehaylofters.com.
- The Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra performs “The Snow Man” and other Christmas favorites. 12/21, 3 pm. Calvary Community Church, N2620 Harris Road, Williams Bay. Visit lakegenevaorchestra.org for tickets.
This article was originally published in November 2024 on At The Lake Magazine, our sister publication. Find more things to do in the Lake Geneva area on their website atthelakemagazine.com.