Maybe it’s our propensity to make the best of our winter, but here in Wisconsin, we seem to really, really love the holidays. We go all out for Christmas with giant light displays and month-long activities. No matter where you are in the state, there’s a town nearby that transforms itself for the holiday and becomes a charming Christmas town. Whether you’re looking for unique traditions, stunning light displays or just an awesome day of activities to get you in the holiday spirit, these towns have you covered. You can traverse much of the state on this road trip and get you and your family totally full of holiday cheer.
An editable version of this map is available here.
Google Maps
- Lake Geneva
Facebook/MyLakeGeneva From the lake-front mansions to the Grand Geneva resort, the town is lit up for the holidays. You’ll find a full list of activities every weekend throughout town to help put you in the holiday spirit.
- Cambridge
EnjoyJeffersonCounty Cambridge’s Christmas celebrations look like they are straight out of a Dickens tale. They embrace the old school and create a charming and unique holiday celebration.
- Madison
Facebook/VisitMadison The Capitol Building has a truly giant tree and is decorated for the holidays, You can go ice skating at Tenney Park when the water freezes or strap on your skates at the Edgewater. There are also holiday concerts at Olbrich and drive-through lights at Olin Park.
- Wisconsin Dells
Facebook/GreatWolfLodge The Dells do everything else big, so it’s unsurprising that the holidays are over the top here, too. If you’ve only ever been in the summer, the Dells offer a totally different experience in winter. Finish off your shopping list at the outlet malls, schedule ahead to have a meal in the giant, edible gingerbread house at Great Wolf Lodge, and nearby Red Ridge Ranch offers sleigh rides.
- Tomah
Facebook/VisitTomahWI The city has a month-long schedule of events to keep you busy and in the spirit of the holidays. There’s a holiday parade, a play, a Christmas run, breakfast with Santa, and a visit from the Canada Pacific Holiday Train.
- Sparta
Facebook/SpartaWI Christmas takes over the town as they build a village, have a bonfire and parade, and so much more.
- La Crosse
Facebook/RotaryLights The Rotary Christmas Lights display at Riverfront Park right on the Mississippi River is worth the stop along. It’s truly a magical display that you should plan to get out and walk through. A trip across the river for a moment so you can look back at all the lights twinkling on the water is also a must-do.
- Stockholm
Facebook/StockholmMerchantsAssociation Head here for a totally unique Christmas celebration just like they have in Sweden. There’s a St. Lucia with her crown of candles, the Jultomten and his goat, the Julbock. There’s also a stellar Winter Solstice fire celebration.
- Chippewa Falls
Facebook/ChippewaFalls The whole city takes on a Victorian feel with light displays and a “Paint the Town Christmas” celebration.
- Hayward
Facebook/ALureofLights Heading up north isn’t just for summer. Hayward has the “A Lure of Lights” celebration that lasts the whole month. Each weekend find things like outdoor s’mores pits, hot chocolate crawls, and more.
What other Wisconsin towns are your favorite to visit during the holidays? Is there some unique tradition we haven’t covered? Let us know in the comments?
Google Maps
Facebook/MyLakeGeneva
From the lake-front mansions to the Grand Geneva resort, the town is lit up for the holidays. You’ll find a full list of activities every weekend throughout town to help put you in the holiday spirit.
EnjoyJeffersonCounty
Cambridge’s Christmas celebrations look like they are straight out of a Dickens tale. They embrace the old school and create a charming and unique holiday celebration.
Facebook/VisitMadison
The Capitol Building has a truly giant tree and is decorated for the holidays, You can go ice skating at Tenney Park when the water freezes or strap on your skates at the Edgewater. There are also holiday concerts at Olbrich and drive-through lights at Olin Park.
Facebook/GreatWolfLodge
The Dells do everything else big, so it’s unsurprising that the holidays are over the top here, too. If you’ve only ever been in the summer, the Dells offer a totally different experience in winter. Finish off your shopping list at the outlet malls, schedule ahead to have a meal in the giant, edible gingerbread house at Great Wolf Lodge, and nearby Red Ridge Ranch offers sleigh rides.
Facebook/VisitTomahWI
The city has a month-long schedule of events to keep you busy and in the spirit of the holidays. There’s a holiday parade, a play, a Christmas run, breakfast with Santa, and a visit from the Canada Pacific Holiday Train.
Facebook/SpartaWI
Christmas takes over the town as they build a village, have a bonfire and parade, and so much more.
Facebook/RotaryLights
The Rotary Christmas Lights display at Riverfront Park right on the Mississippi River is worth the stop along. It’s truly a magical display that you should plan to get out and walk through. A trip across the river for a moment so you can look back at all the lights twinkling on the water is also a must-do.
Facebook/StockholmMerchantsAssociation
Head here for a totally unique Christmas celebration just like they have in Sweden. There’s a St. Lucia with her crown of candles, the Jultomten and his goat, the Julbock. There’s also a stellar Winter Solstice fire celebration.
Facebook/ChippewaFalls
The whole city takes on a Victorian feel with light displays and a “Paint the Town Christmas” celebration.
Facebook/ALureofLights
Heading up north isn’t just for summer. Hayward has the “A Lure of Lights” celebration that lasts the whole month. Each weekend find things like outdoor s’mores pits, hot chocolate crawls, and more.
While you’re planning your road trip, check out these 11 Weird And Wacky Holiday Traditions You’ll Only Get If You’re From Wisconsin to incorporate in your travels.
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