The Tree of Light glowing with thousands of warm white lights and colorful ornaments at dusk in Downtown Wisconsin Dells

Holidays in Downtown Wisconsin Dells

Christmas Comes to Downtown

Glow under the Tree of Light, visit with Santa, hunt for elves, and sing along with Dickens carolers all season long.

Holiday Events

The Holiday Season

Holiday Events Downtown

From the glow of the Tree of Light to visits with Santa, here's everything happening in Downtown Wisconsin Dells this Christmas season.

The Tree of Light glowing with warm white lights and colorful globes against a twilight sky over fresh snow
  • Two children holding hands, gazing up at the glowing Tree of Light
  • The Tree of Light shining over a snow-covered lawn at night
  • Santa sitting in his red Santa house beneath the illuminated Tree of Light
Main Event · Nightly · 4:30–11 PM

Tree of Light

Experience the magic of the holidays on the Wisconsin Dells River Walk. Stop by throughout the season to enjoy the beautifully illuminated tree and festive atmosphere, whether you're taking an evening stroll, enjoying a downtown dinner, or planning a family outing.

Snap a few holiday photos and make Downtown Wisconsin Dells part of your Christmas traditions.

Lit nightly from November 20 and staying up through mid-January.

Tree of Lights at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Sat, Dec 5 · 11 AM–3 PM

Downtown Wisconsin Dells Christmas Market

Spend the afternoon exploring a festive holiday market in the heart of downtown. Browse seasonal offerings, enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, and find a little holiday inspiration along the way. Bring your friends and family and make a day of exploring Downtown Dells!

Elm Street Plaza, Downtown Wisconsin Dells

Also at Elm Street Plaza that day

  • Visit Santa11 AM–2 PM
  • Jingle Bell Barnyard Petting Zoo11 AM–3 PM
  • Swing Crew Christmas Concert2–3 PM
A smiling family posing with Santa Claus in his decorated Santa house with candy canes, wreaths, and twinkle lights
Nov 27 – Dec 19

Santa Claus Is Coming to Downtown

Tree of Light & Elm Street Plaza

Santa is making stops all season long in Downtown Wisconsin Dells! Bring the little ones to share their Christmas wishes and capture special memories together, whether it's an evening visit under the glow of the Tree of Light or a daytime stop at Elm Street Plaza during the Christmas Market. Make a day of it by shopping local, grabbing dinner downtown, and enjoying everything downtown has to offer.

Reindeer Meet & Greet: Nov 28, Dec 12 & Dec 19, 6–8 PM

Visit Dates

  • Fri, Nov 276–8 PMTree of Light
  • Sat, Nov 286–8 PMTree of Light · with Reindeer
  • Fri, Dec 46–8 PMTree of Light
  • Sat, Dec 511 AM–2 PMElm Street Plaza
  • Sat, Dec 56–8 PMTree of Light
  • Fri, Dec 116–8 PMTree of Light
  • Sat, Dec 126–8 PMTree of Light · with Reindeer
  • Fri, Dec 186–8 PMTree of Light
  • Sat, Dec 196–8 PMTree of Light · with Reindeer

All Season Long

More Holiday Fun

Local Tree of Light Celebration

Tree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

Kick off the holiday season as downtown lights up for Christmas. Gather with friends and neighbors and enjoy the first glow of the season.

Date

  • Fri, Nov 20 · 4:30 PM

Holiday Porch Pot Workshop

Elm Street Plaza, Downtown Wisconsin Dells

A fun, hands-on holiday activity where you'll create a seasonal porch pot to bring Christmas cheer to your home. A wonderful way to get creative with friends and kick off the season.

Registration is open

Register

Date

  • Sat, Nov 21 · 1–3 PM

A Dickens Christmas: Holiday Carolers

Tree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

The Wisconsin Dickens Carolers bring a Dickens-inspired Christmas to life with timeless holiday favorites and the nostalgic atmosphere of holidays past at the Tree of Light.

Dates

  • Fri, Nov 27 · 6–8 PM
  • Sat, Dec 5 · 6–8 PM

Reindeer Meet & Greet

Tree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

Santa's reindeer are visiting Downtown Dells! Stop by to say hello, snap a photo, and make a festive memory with the whole family.

Dates

  • Sat, Nov 28 · 6–8 PM
  • Sat, Dec 12 · 6–8 PM
  • Sat, Dec 19 · 6–8 PM

Downtown Dells Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt

Starts & finishes at Elm Street Plaza

Stop by Elm Street Plaza starting at 11 AM to pick up your scavenger hunt map. Search for 20+ hidden Ernie Elves inside participating downtown businesses, collect a stamp at each stop, then turn it in for a special goody bag. Free and fun for the whole family!

Date

  • Sat, Dec 5 · 11 AM–2 PM

Jingle Bell Barnyard: A Christmas Petting Zoo

Elm Street Plaza & the Tree of Light

Meet friendly farm animals in a festive holiday setting. A merry, hands-on stop the little ones will love.

Dates

  • Sat, Dec 5 · 11 AM–3 PMElm Street Plaza
  • Sat, Dec 12 · 11 AM–3 PMElm Street Plaza
  • Sat, Dec 19 · 4:30–8 PMTree of Light

Swing Crew: A Christmas Concert

Elm Street Plaza, Downtown Wisconsin Dells

Swing into the season with a lively afternoon of Christmas classics performed by the Swing Crew, a local favorite!

Dates

  • Sat, Dec 5 · 2–3 PM
  • Sat, Dec 12 · 2–3 PM

Holiday Music with the Wisconsin Dells Middle School Choir

Tree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

Celebrate the sounds of the season with a special holiday performance by the Wisconsin Dells Middle School Choir! Join us at the Tree of Light in Downtown Dells for an afternoon of festive music as local students share their holiday spirit through song. Support our local young performers, enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, and take in a little holiday music during your visit downtown!

Date

  • Fri, Dec 11 · 4:30–6 PM

Wisconsin Dells High School Band: Holiday Concert

Tree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

Celebrate the season with the sounds of our local students! Join us at the Tree of Light in Downtown Dells for a special holiday concert featuring the Wisconsin Dells High School Band. Enjoy festive music while supporting talented student musicians from our community. Bring the family, enjoy the holiday atmosphere, and help us celebrate the season with a little hometown Christmas spirit!

Date

  • Sat, Dec 12 · 4:30–5:30 PM

Your Downtown Wisconsin Dells Holiday Calendar

Day-by-Day Schedule

Tree of Light glows Nightly · 4:30–11 PM through mid-January at Tree of Lights at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

  1. Friday, November 20

    • 4:30 PMLocal Tree of Light CelebrationTree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway

  2. Saturday, November 21

    • 1–3 PMHoliday Porch Pot WorkshopElm Street Plaza

  3. Friday, November 27

    • 6–8 PMA Dickens Christmas: Holiday CarolersTree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway
    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to DowntownTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  4. Saturday, November 28

    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to Downtown with ReindeerTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  5. Friday, December 4

    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to DowntownTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  6. Saturday, December 5

    • 11 AM–2 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to DowntownElm Street Plaza
    • 11 AM–2 PMDowntown Dells Elf on the Shelf Scavenger HuntElm Street Plaza
    • 11 AM–3 PMDowntown Wisconsin Dells Christmas MarketElm Street Plaza
    • 11 AM–3 PMJingle Bell Barnyard: A Christmas Petting ZooElm Street Plaza
    • 2–3 PMSwing Crew: A Christmas ConcertElm Street Plaza
    • 6–8 PMA Dickens Christmas: Holiday CarolersTree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway
    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to DowntownTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  7. Friday, December 11

    • 4:30–6 PMHoliday Music with the Wisconsin Dells Middle School ChoirTree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway
    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to DowntownTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  8. Saturday, December 12

    • 11 AM–3 PMJingle Bell Barnyard: A Christmas Petting ZooElm Street Plaza
    • 2–3 PMSwing Crew: A Christmas ConcertElm Street Plaza
    • 4:30–5:30 PMWisconsin Dells High School Band: Holiday ConcertTree of Light at the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, 100 Block Broadway
    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to Downtown with ReindeerTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  9. Friday, December 18

    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to DowntownTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

  10. Saturday, December 19

    • 4:30–8 PMJingle Bell Barnyard: A Christmas Petting ZooTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway
    • 6–8 PMSanta Claus Is Coming to Downtown with ReindeerTree of Light, River Walk · 100 Block Broadway

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