Your Guide to the Holidays in Madison, WI | Events, Lights, Bucket List, Giving Back, Santa Tracker, Shopping Guide, Tree Farms

Your Ultimate Guide to the Holidays in Madison, WI! The holiday season in Madison is full of local fun, from makers markets to family-friendly holiday festivals. These events aren't just fun, they're also a great way to explore Madison area neighborhoods, meet local vendors, and feel more connected to the community.

Scroll though our guide for:
🗓️ Holiday Events: week-by-week events in Madison for the next month
💡 Where to find the best Holiday Lights in the Madison area
❄️ Holiday Bucket List — what not to miss!
❤️ Giving Back: Some ideas on where and how to get involved this season
🎅 Santa Tracker: Where to find and meet Santa!
🎄 Our favorite Tree Farms around the greater Madison area
🎁 Shopping Guide: Shop small and local for gifts (arranged by area for convenient shopping!)

Bookmark this page for planning purposes! 

November Events

Friday, November 28

Holiday Tree Lighting | 3:00 pm - 6:00 @ Edgewater Hotel

Downtown Holiday Open House | 10:00 am - 4:00 @ State Street & Capitol Square

Saturday, November 29

Downtown Holiday Open House | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm @ State Street & Capitol Square

Light the Green | 5:00 pm - 7:00  @ Stone Horse Green

Farm Staff Craft Fair | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm @ Vitruvian Farms

Black Friday Madison Maker's Market | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm @ Various East side of Downtown locations

Winter Holiday Bodega | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm @ Breese Stevens Field

Sunday, November 30

Holiday Craftacular | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm @ Garver Feed Mill

Downtown Holiday Open House | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm @ State Street & Capitol Square

December Events

Thursday, December 4

State Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting | @ Capitol building

Sip and Shop Holiday Art Market | 3:00 pm @ Chazen Museum of Art

Friday, December 5

Hometown Holidays Kickoff | 4:00 pm- 7:00 @ Century School Park/Verona Senior Center

Holiday Glow on Monroe | 4:00 pm - 6:00 @ Monroe Street

Dane Arts Holiday Pop-up Market | 5:00 pm - 8:00 @ Aubergine

New Glarus Christkindli Market | 3:00 pm - 7:00 @ Downtown New Glarus

Saturday, December 6

Madison Small Business Crawl | @ Beneblends, Thistle + Elm, Miggy’s Bakes, Tricky Foods, Stellie’s, and EBNS

Holiday Glow on Monroe | @ Monroe Street

Dane Arts Holiday Pop-up Market | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm @ Aubergine

New Glarus Christkindli Market | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm @ Downtown New Glarus

Madison Fair Trade Holiday Festival | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm @ Monona Terrace

The Crafty Fair | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm @ Goodman Community Center - Ironworks

Sunday, December 7

New Glarus Christkindli Market | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm @ Downtown New Glarus

Holiday Market | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm @ Aldo Leopold Nature Center

The Crafty Fair | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm @ Goodman Community Center - Ironworks

Friday, December 12

Get Festive with Agora | 5:00 pm - 8:00 @ Agora Fitchburg

Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour | Various Fitchburg businesses and homes

Christkindl Market | Seven Acre Dairy Co.

Madison Ballet The Nutcracker | 7:00 pm @ Overture Center

Saturday, December 13

Free Gift Wrapping | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm @ Matt Winzenried Real Estate Partners

Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour | Various Fitchburg businesses and homes

Christkindl Market | Seven Acre Dairy Co.

Madison Ballet The Nutcracker | 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm @ Overture Center

Holiday Market | 12:00 pm - 8:00 @ Garver Feed Mill

Santa Cycle Rampage | 10:00 am - 1:30 pm @ Breese Stevens Field

Sunday, December 14

Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour | Various Fitchburg businesses and homes

Christkindl Market | Seven Acre Dairy Co.

Madison Ballet The Nutcracker | 2:00 pm @ Overture Center

Holiday Market | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm @ Garver Feed Mill

Downtown Madison Cookie Walk | 1:00 pm - 4:00 @ State Street & Capitol Square

Thursday, December 18

Winter Solstice Celebration | 6:00 pm - 10:00 @ The Tinsmith

Friday, December 19

Madison Ballet The Nutcracker | 7:00 pm @ Overture Center

Saturday, December 20

FEED Kitchens’ Holiday Bazaar | 9:00 am - 1:00 @ FEED Kitchens

Madison Ballet The Nutcracker | 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm @ Overture Center

Saturday, December 21

Starkweather Winter Solstice Celebration | Details TBA

Last Minute Market | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm @ Garver Feed Mill

Madison Ballet The Nutcracker | 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm @ Overture Center

Holiday Lights In and Around Madison, WI ⤵️

Giving Back

Meaningful ways to give back this holiday season with local organizations making a difference here in Madison:

Santa Tracker

When and where to spot Santa this season!

Shopping Guide

Shop local this holiday season! Just choose which area you want to explore and shop in:

Disclaimer

Event details may change. Please confirm dates, times, and policies on the official event websites before attending. 

Plan Your Next Move

Want to get to know Madison area neighborhoods better?

• Explore homes near Nakoma neighborhood

• Learn more about Westmorland area

• Search all available homes with our West Madison home search