(Madison, WI): We’ve rounded up the tree lighting ceremonies and events in and around Madison, WI this holiday season! If there is something we missed – please let us know in the comments below or by emailing [email protected]. The events are listed in order by date.
Tis the season!
Shine on Madison
November 22, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Head downtown for a seasonal lighting ceremony at Lisa Link Peace Park (452 State St) on November 22! This fun event is the perfect pre-Thanksgiving activity for the whole family. Join in as they turn on all the lighting décor on State St., the Capitol Square and King St. Event runs 4-6pm with the lighting ceremony taking place at 5pm!
The event will include:
- Free coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies (while supplies last)
- A special visit by Santa
- Performances by Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO)’s Brass Ensemble
- Appearances by UW-Madison’s Badger Women’s Basketball Team!
- The Don’s Home Furniture S’Mores Lounge
DETAILS: Website
Downtown Middleton
November 22 | 5:00pm-7:00pm
Save the date for 5 – 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, to celebrate the start of the holidays at Stone Horse Green as they spruce up the green with a beautiful light display. Be sure to bring your children as Santa will be riding in on a fire truck at 5:30 p.m.! The official tree lighting will take place at 5:25 p.m.
North Pole Party at Hilldale
November 23 | 3pm-6pm
Kick off the most magical season at Hilldale. Jingle all the way to the North Pole Party with festive activities for all ages to enjoy, concluding with the tree lighting!
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at The Edgewater
November 28 | 3pm-7:30pm
The Edgewater’s annual Tree Lighting shines brighter than ever this season! Watch The Edgewater Plaza come alive with the sparkle of the holidays — complete with roller-skating elves spreading cheer on wheels and a NEW! whimsical Gingerbread Terrace overlooking Lake Mendota.
Little ones will love the interactive holiday wonderland featuring a festive bounce house where they can bounce, slide, and crawl through giant cookies and gumdrops.
Then, join the fun — lace up your skates and glide alongside the elves! Roller skating is $7 per person, with $3 skate rentals (or bring your own).
Light the Ice in Monona
November 29 | 5:30-7:00pm
The start of the holiday season in Monona will officially kick off with the Light the Rink Ceremony at Lake Ridge Bank Rive Rink.
The rink lighting entails 10,000 lights on a 20-foot-tall, Wisconsin-grown spruce tree, large light displays, hot chocolate, entertainment & photo opportunities!
5:30 – 7:00 pm Holiday Music
5:30 – 7:00 pm Stilt Walkers
6:00 pm Lighting Ceremony
6:00 – 7:00 pm Aerial Yogis by Aerial Arts
6:00 – 7:00 pm Meet & Greet with the Clauses
Downtown Sun Prairie Fire & Lights Holiday Parade
November 29 | 5:00pm-7:30pm
Firetrucks dress in their holiday best as they lead the parade to a tree-lighting celebration with Santa.
December 3 | 5:00pm-7:00pm
Celebrate the 5th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3rd in Fireman’s Park. The event will run from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a special visitor from the North Pole and more!
Holiday Tree Lighting in New Glarus
December 3 | 6:30pm
Kick off the season of delights in downtown New Glarus at our Holiday Tree Lighting. Enjoy the enchanting sights — historic Swiss architecture, shops aglow, old fashioned street lights, the majestic Depot pine festively trimmed for the season — as well as festive alphorns!
Waunakee Light the Night Parade
December 5 | 6:30-7pm
The parade route will start at O’Malley Street down Main Street and end at Village Park. The parade will take about 30 minutes. Then join us with caroling at the Creche, cookies and hot apple cider while walking through Rotary in Lights at Village Park.
Hometown Holidays Express – Verona
December 5 | 4–8 pm
Kick off the holiday season in Verona with a ceremonial tree lighting at 5pm, live music, ice skating and more! Embark on an enchanting adventure aboard a holiday trolley, enjoy cookies with Santa and stroll through a glittering outdoor holiday light trail at Seven Acre Dairy.
Tree Lighting with Santa – Oregon
December 5 | 5:30–7 pm
See Santa ride into town on a fire truck to light Oregon’s holiday tree. Afterward, head to the local fire station for a chili dinner and ornament giveaway from Santa.
Cottage Grove | Christmas in the Grove
December 5-7th
Kick off the weekend with a visit with Santa at Lake Ridge Bank and enjoy the holiday lights parade at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5.
Wisconsin Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting
December 4 12:00 PM
Join inside the Capitol Rotunda for an hour-long presentation with remarks from the Governor and music from a youth choir. Learn where this year’s giant tree is from, and see the ornaments created by kids from across Wisconsin.
Stoughton Holiday Parade 2025
December 6 5:30 PM
Everyone is invited to join the community on Saturday, December 6, 2025, for the Annual Stoughton Holiday Parade. The parade will travel along Hwy 51/Main Street from Hoel Avenue to the Stoughton Fire Station at 401 E. Main Street, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Following the parade, attendees are welcome to enjoy time with Santa and refreshments.
Best Places to Cruise for Christmas Lights
Fantasy In Lights
Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Court, Madison
November 15 – the New Year; Dawn to Dusk | FREE
Over 50 light displays, including many new items will be brought out to the park and set up for all to enjoy. Booths are open (think candy canes!) from 4:30 – 10:00 pm each evening!
Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour
This year the Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour includes a kickoff celebration for everyone. Friday, December 12, 5:00pm-8:00pm join us for Get Festive at Agora, a holiday party with fun for the whole family. See details below.
And all weekend long residences and businesses pull out all the stops to create elaborate and elegant light displays, celebrating the season. Tour the participating locations on the weekend of December 12-14 and vote for your favorite!
Hickory Hill Academy
Open to the public through the end of the year – cars are welcome to pull into the parking lot and view from there.
3276 S. High Point Road | Madison, WI
Zoo Lights | Henry Vilas Zoo
Zoo Lights is open November 22 – December 23. It takes approximately one hour to walk through the whole Zoo and see all the lights.
University Avenue at University Bay Drive, Madison
Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville
Rotary Lights, Waunakee
500 E. Main Street, Waunakee
Waunakee’s Village Park transforms into a winter wonderland with light-lined streets and holiday displays. Enjoy the lights either on foot or from your car.
Ours is not set to music, but it is a pretty elaborate display! 521 President Lane, Madison
Tracy, your address didn’t come up for me in Google. I’d love to check out your house, maybe your street name was autocorrected?
The Cassidy Drive house is 88.5 FM. Just went there last night, it’s a fun display.
If you get to the East Side of Madison. Our display is pretty nice. It’s the biggest it’s been so far and we have a steady flow of people every night. 2926 Sachs Street just off N Marquette St
4289 Dicky Ln, Madison, WI 53718
Great display set to music
Oak St. (314 Birch Ct.) In Oregon has a great display set to music! Lasts about 20 min or more. Even better than last year’s!
We have a large blow mold display. 3766 Sunburst Rd. Madison. About a mile from American Family Insurance. American Parkway turns into Rattman Rd at 4 way stop. Then 2nd development on the left at top of hill. There is another large display farther down on Rattman Rd.
Lots to enjoy for free