GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS FOR FAMILIES IN THE MADISON, WI AREA (2025)

It’s the most wonderful of the year! And we have you covered. With so many things to do for families this holiday season around Madison– you will be feeling festive all season long!

2025 Guide to the Holidays Presented by Hilldale

Thank you to Hilldale for partnering with us and making the production of this guide possible for Madison families!

Celebrate the magic of the season at Hilldale. Kick off the holidays at our North Pole Party (November 23, 3-6PM), strike a pose for Photos with Santa (and don’t forget Pet Portraits too!), and join us for a Menorah Lighting celebration. Enjoy live tunes all season long, find photo ops around every corner, and check off your gift list at your favorite shops and restaurants. Your happiest holidays start right here at Hilldale. Check out Hilldale.com/events for the full holiday season listing.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS IN THE MADISON, WI AREA

  Madison Children's Museum | Baby New Year Party December 31 from 9am-10:30am Madison’s cutest New Years celebration kicks off bright and early this morning! Meant for...

BEST SLEDDING HILLS FOR FAMILIES IN AND AROUND MADISON, WI

Aldo Leopold Park | 2906 Traceway Dr. - Madison This 11-acre park located south of the beltline, between Fish Hatchery Road and Seminole Hwy. features...

GO SKATING AT THE EDGEWATER

(Madison, WI):  Good news — the rink is open for ice skating! Located right on beautiful Lake Mendota, The Ice Rink at The Edgewater...

BEST PLACES TO SEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE MADISON AREA

Best Places to Cruise for Christmas Lights in 2025 Fantasy In Lights Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Court, Madison Now - December 31 | FREE Over 50 light displays,...

SUPPORT MERITER’S SMALLEST PATIENTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

When a newborn enters the NICU at UnityPoint Health – Meriter, families often find themselves navigating unexpected and emotional challenges. This season, the community...

Santa’s Workshop Brings Holiday Magic to Greenway Station

When: December 13th, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Where: 1650 Deming Way, Middleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53562 Santa’s Workshop Brings Holiday Magic to Greenway Station Holiday...

Holiday Movies for Kids

Time to cozy up and watch a holiday family with the whole crew! There are lots of choices and depending on if have cable,...

HOLIDAY IN THE HOOPS AT WARM BELLY FARM

A Magical Christmas Walk-Through for Madison Families... If you're looking for a new holiday tradition to enjoy with your family this season, Holiday in The...

SUNDARA INN & SPA’S BRAND NEW HYDROTHERAPY SCALP RENEWAL TREATMENT

Sundara Inn & Spa is a beautiful, serene, peaceful oasis – it’s a place to go to recharge and rejuvenate. It is a...

SANTA IS BACK AT HILLDALE | CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE &...

(Madison, WI): This Holiday season, find Santa outside in his cabin located near Paper Source, in front of Metcalfe’s. While you wait, pop into...

HAVE A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE AT OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

Situated just outside of Eagle, in Waukesha County, Old World Wisconsin gives your family the opportunity to travel through time and experience the world...

EAST WIND CHRISTMAS TREE FARM: A MAGICAL HOLIDAY DESTINATION NEAR MADISON

Open Daily to Spread Holiday Cheer... East Wind Christmas Tree Farm is open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. from November 22 through Christmas...

15 UNIQUE (AND LOCAL!) GIFT IDEAS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

This year, as you’re making your list and checking it twice, we want to encourage you to THINK LOCAL. Our 15 ideas include gift items...

SANTA BRUNCH COMING UP AT SEVEN ACRE DAIRY COMPANY

Photo from Seven Acre Dairy Santa Brunch at Seven Acre Dairy Company: A Holiday Tradition in the Making... The holiday season is about slowing down, gathering...

LIGHTWIRE THEATER’S “A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS” BRINGS HOLIDAY MAGIC TO MADISON

Lightwire Theater’s “A Very Electric Christmas” Brings Holiday Magic to Madison Friday, November 28 | 3 p.m. | Overture Hall This holiday season, families can experience...

CHRISTKINDL MARKET IS AT SEVEN ACRE DAIRY THIS HOLIDAY

(Paoli, WI): Christkindlmarket is coming up at Seven Acres Dairy in Paoli. It is a festive celebration that will transport you back to an...

VISIT CAVE OF LIGHTS AT CAVE OF THE MOUNDS

(Blue Mounds, WI): This winter, Cave of the Mounds transforms into a glowing underground wonderland during its annual Cave of Lights festival. From Thanksgiving through...

THE ZOO LIGHTS AT HENRY VILAS ZOO ARE A MUST-VISIT

(Madison, WI): The Zoo Lights are returning to Henry Vilas Zoo again in 2025. Get ready for one of Madison’s most unique holiday traditions...

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT HILLDALE’S NORTH POLE PARTY

Kickstart the Holidays with Festive Fun and a Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony (Madison, WI): The North Pole Party at Hilldale will take place on November...

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR PARENTS: THOUGHTFUL GIFTS THAT CAN LAST BEYOND...

The holiday season is filled with exciting, trendy toys and gifts, but what if this year you could give a gift that can grow...

TREE LIGHTINGS & HOLIDAY EVENTS IN THE MADISON AREA

(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...

Sign up for our newsletter to be a Madison Family Insider – it goes out Sunday evenings at 8pm!

Follow Madison Family on Instagram & Facebook to stay in the know and to see our weekly ‘things to do this weekend post’ that goes out on Thursdays!

And here is all of our holiday content conveniently in one spot – we update regularly!

 
Madison Family
Madison is such a cool city. We love it around here. We live here too and our vision is to create a platform where real parents share real stories and we can all learn from one another. You will get to know real moms doing life right here in our neighborhoods and find information on a wealth of topics – local summer camps, preschools, swim lessons, shops and boutiques, events and experiences as so much more.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here