WISCONSIN — Christmas trees, twinkling red and green lights, the smell of cookies in the oven, snow falling gently out the window and holiday tunes on the radio. Nothing beats the sights, smells and sounds of the holidays.
To help get you further into the holiday spirit, here’s a list of fun, family-friendly events happening around the state.
Milwaukee area
Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” & Milwaukee Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
There’s nothing like live theatre during the holidays. Milwaukee has a couple fun shows that you can take the family to, including “A Christmas Carol” at the Milwaukee Rep. It runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 and is recommended for ages 6 and up. The show is a little over 2 hours.
Alternatively, you could also check out “The Nutcracker” ballet put on by Milwaukee Ballet. It runs Dec. 10-24 and is recommended for ages 4 and up. A city-old tradition, this ballet brings more than 150 dancers from around the world to tell the timeless 90-minute story. This is the 25th and last year of the current production. Next year will bring an all new Nutcracker experience.
Father Christmas Visits the Mansion
Every Sunday from Nov. 27 to Dec. 18, you can visit Santa at the historic Pabst Mansion between the hours of 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Complete with holiday treats, letters to Santa, and rooms filled with dazzling Christmas displays, this is surely a holiday highlight.
You can buy your tickets here.
Ice skating in Red Arrow Park
From December to around mid-March, you can ice skate in Red Arrow Park downtown. If you bring your own skates, you can skate for free. Otherwise, you can rent a pair at the warming house. It’s $9 for those 18 or older. The skating season is determined by weather conditions, so be sure to check online for the latest.
Breakfast with Santa at the Pfister
Held in the Pfister hotel’s festive ballroom, families can enjoy a breakfast with Santa and his elves on several weekends in December, including, Dec. 4, 10-11 and 17-18. The breakfast will have all your buffet favorites, including chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes.
You can be seated at two different times: between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. However, on Dec. 10, the second seating time will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For adults it’s $68 and for children 3 to 10 years old, it’s $30. Children 2 and under eat free. At the breakfast, you’ll be able to get photos with Santa. All children will also receive a special gift and can take part in fun crafts while they write a letter to Santa.
Fox Valley area
EAA Christmas in the Air
Known for their massive airshow in Oshkosh, the Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Museum hosts an annual holiday event. Christmas in the Air on Dec. 3 begins with Santa’s arrival by helicopter at noon. Families can take pictures with and write letters to Santa, enjoy cookies and milk and a holiday-themed scavenger hunt throughout the museum. Various local dance and music groups will also be performing on different stages at the museum. Admission is free between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Nutcracker in the Castle at The Paine
Running from now until Jan. 9, 2023, Nutcracker in the Castle at the Paine Art Center and Gardens invites you in to a Nutcracker fairytale. Each room paints the picture of the Nutcracker Christmas story. It features 20 decorated settings and 70 Christmas trees, everything from the opening party scene, the Land of Snow and more. Guests can also enjoy cupcakes and hot cocoa at the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Cafe, which is located in the Conservatory.
While guided tours are already sold out, you can still take a self-guided tour. The Paine is open for tours from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It costs $16 per adult and $12 for youth ages 5 to 17. Those ages four and under can get in for free.
Sleigh rides at Willow Springs Gardens
Take a nostalgic sleigh ride through the beautiful snow in Wausau. Willow Springs Gardens offer one hour and 41 minute-sleigh rides throughout the winter. You can either take a private ride by reservation or go to one of the public sleigh rides in early 2023. After takeoff, you’ll be escorted around the property to take in the views. Then, you’ll enter a secluded part of the woods where you’ll stop for a campfire and enjoy hot cider, hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting. Guests can also build snowmen and ride sleds at the stop.
Public dates for rides include Jan. 14 and 22 and Feb. 5. Reservations for these dates can be made between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gardens also offer soup and pizza buffets on public sleigh ride dates, so be sure to specify if you’d like to participate in those when you schedule the ride.
Ice skating in Titletown
What better way to enjoy the holiday season than with a little ice skating? Skating at Hy-Vee Plaza is now open. You can buy skate passes and rent skates for $5 at the Admissions building on the south side of the park. Whether you bring your own or rent skates, you must pay the admission fee, which is $8 daily, $3 on community nights (Dec. 5 & 12) and $15 on game day.
The rink is open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On game days, the rink is open 4 hours prior to kickoff.
Madison area
New Glarus Christkindli Market
This outdoor market hosts mini chalets that offer locally made and sourced gifts. From Christmas decorations to food, supports local businesses while enjoying a taste of holiday spirit. You can also visit Santa and take a ride on a horse and sleigh.
The New Glarus Christkindli Market runs from Dec. 2-4. Visit their website for more information.
A Madison Symphony Christmas
Celebrate the holidays with a trip to the symphony. Opera favorite Adriana Zabala, Broadway star Nate Stampley, three local choirs and the Madison Symphony Orchestra will perform their Christmas show from Dec. 2-4. Single tickets range in price from $20-$98. You can buy them here.
Prior to the concert, you can also enjoy free caroling in the Overture Hall Lobby.
Reindeer Live!
This free, public event in Verona allows families to take their picture with reindeer using their own cameras. You can also head to the pens to see them up close. The event also includes a performance from Jolie Canolie, who will put on a storytelling show with audience interaction and puppeteering. They’ll also performances from award-winning children’s performer David Landau and the VACT Theater Group.
But there will also be face painting, balloon twisting, crafts and games, a bake sale and an opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Reindeer Live! will take place on Dec. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Bazaar
Complete with local sustainable artists and vendors, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center will host a Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Visitors get free admission and parking and can peruse and sample food from local businesses. You could also take home some fresh, holiday baked goods from local bakeries and farms. Local artisans will also have handmade soaps, jewelry, hand-woven goods and more for purchase. It’s the perfect chance for you to find a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one.
Some of the vendors include Christine’s Kitchen, The Happy Kitty, Flavor Temptations, Sandy Burns, Unusual Threads and more.