Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect current dates and events.
Time to decorate the halls and streets of Wisconsin for the holiday season.
There are plenty of things to do in Wisconsin’s gigantic cities, from seeing the lights in Milwaukee to visiting the Capitol Christmas tree in Madison.
But there’s something extra charming about diminutive towns that get festive. There’s a reason Hallmark Christmas movies are always set in diminutive towns—Main Street America is where the magic happens.
Many diminutive towns in Wisconsin hold parades, tree lighting and Santa visits. But some turn up the volume by offering special attractions.
Here are five diminutive holiday towns worth visiting this holiday season. Some are just a day trip from Milwaukee, while others are great for a weekend getaway.
Cedar
Cedarburg may have a monopoly on holiday charm. The downtown district along Washington Avenue provides the perfect backdrop: It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, and the 19th-century buildings are now filled with current shops, galleries and restaurants. During A Cedarburg Christmas, this stretch of downtown is decorated with luminaries, garlands and ribbons and hosts special events.
Highlights include Festive Friday Eves in December. The Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement are open until 9 p.m., and there’s live music, wine tasting, cider, cookies and activities for kids. Kids will also love visiting Santa in his workshop, the gingerbread house on Washington Ave.
About 20 miles north of Milwaukee, Cedarburg is an basic day or overnight trip from the city. For more information, visit cedarburgchristmas.com.
Elkhart Lake
Osthoff Holiday Resort Old World Christmas Market is a city in itself. The market has been held for 25 years and is modeled on the classic Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. More than 70 vendors from around the world sell handmade gifts, from Czech blown glass ornaments to Polish ceramics.
“The whole market is reminiscent of Christmas markets in Germany and all over Europe,” Lola Roeh, the center’s general manager, said in a statement. “We try to recreate that feeling, so we have some traditional wooden stands, but we also have all the stands lined with fresh greenery and little white lights, and everything is set up as if it were in the streets of small villages.”
German influences permeate the Old World Food Market, where the aromas of bratwurst and toasted almonds mingle with heated glühwein (mulled wine). Kids might also spot Santa there.
Little ones can enjoy other holiday activities at the center, including breakfast with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides and cookie decorating.
The market is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 from December 1 to 10. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under 14 with an adult. Osthoff offers special overnight packages for the holidays. See osthoff.com.
Osthoff Resort is located at 101 Osthoff Ave., Elkhart Lake, approximately 60 miles north of Milwaukee.
Rypon
Ripon’s special approach to the holidays includes displays in the windows of 20 town centre shops. Dickens Christmas first weekend in December. Real people perform holiday scenes inside on Saturday night, while carolers and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the holiday spirit outside.
Other weekend festivities include a craft fair, breakfast with Santa and a holiday parade.
Ripon is approximately 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Ephraim
There is nothing wrong with traveling to any town in Door County during the holidays.
Ephraim is an exceptionally picturesque place, tucked away in a picturesque bay with whitewashed buildings and church spires overlooking a marina full of sailboats that in summer float calmly on the glass-like surface of the water.
The village takes on a special charm during the Christmas season when the buildings are decorated with decorations and twinkling lights, and there is a communal Christmas tree in Harborside Park.
This tree is lit during Christmas in the Countryside December 2. The all-day celebration also includes Christmas carols, horse-drawn carriage rides, a visit from Santa Claus and activities for children.
Ephraim is about 180 miles north of Milwaukee. Make this a weekend getaway, staying at the Eagle Harbor Inn, and then head to other Door County villages for more festivities.
Lake Geneva
House the tallest glass tree in the world — and ice castles — have become an increasingly popular winter destination.
Among the many holiday attractions in the area is Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s Santa Cruise, which sails past Santa’s lakeside hideout. Santa himself calls out the names of “good” children on board. Tickets cost $12 for passengers ages 4 to 17, $24 for adults (ages 18-64), and $22 for those 65 and older. You can book your trip online here.
If your interests are more artistic, you can participate US Snow Sculpting Championshipswhich takes place on the shores of Lake Geneva during the city’s annual Winterfest. This year’s competition is scheduled for February 1-4, 2024.
Lake Geneva is located about 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee, or about an hour’s drive.
Steve Martinez assisted in preparing this report.
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