The Holiday Fun Guide is sponsored by the Ingleside Hotel presenting their Country Christmas Light Display.
Lake Country Family Fun has put together a one-stop guide that consolidates all your Holiday and Christmas events and fun into one place. First, read about our sponsor and partner, the Ingleside Hotel’s County Christmas. Country Christmas is an integral part of the holiday season for so many Lake Country and Waukesha County families. It definitely is for ours. Then use this guide, with its subsections, to find great local Christmas and Holiday fun for you and your family. Please thank all of the local sponsors that make Holidays in Waukesha County a breeze to navigate and truly magical:
- Holiday Fun Guide sponsored by Ingleside Hotel
- Thanksgiving Guide
- Holiday Craft Fair Guide sponsored by Brown Street Emporium
- Photos with Santa Guide – sponsored by Kara Reese Photography
- Best Holiday Light Displays Guide sponsored by Bank Five Nine
- Christmas Tree Lighting Guide sponsored by Roots Coffeebar and Cafe
- Christmas Parade Guide sponsored by the Delafield Brewhaus
- Christmas Tree Farm Guide sponsored by Aspire Dance Center
- Christmas Break Guide – sponsored by Dayspring Church & Schools
- Holiday Drop and Shop Guide – sponsored by Lake Country Currents
- Live Nativities Guide – sponsored by St. Matthews Oconomowoc
HOLIDAY FUN GIVEAWAY 2024
This year, we have put together an awesome package thanks to local sponsors to kick off our Holiday Season. Scroll to the bottom of this page to enter. One lucky winner will win:
- 1 carload pass to Country Christmas Light Display at the Ingleside Hotel + a Four Pack of Water Park Tickets
- 2 VIP Passes to MKE Improv each of which can be redeemed for two General Admission tickets, and are not time-sensitive
- 2 drink minimum required
- A Bank Five Nine Water Bottle/Straw Tumbler
- 4 tickets to the Take Flight Theatre’s “Rudolph!” at the Wilderness Hotel in Wisconsin Dells.
- Does not include hotel stay. Other exclusions and limitations apply. Physical tickets will be mailed to the winner.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!
CONGRATULATIONS TO STACEY H. of Oconomowoc for WINNING in 2024!
Holiday fun guide Table of contents
Click a category below to jump to that category.
DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS...
(not that we are counting…)
2024 HOLIDAY FUN GUIDE SPONSOR
A HUGE Holiday thank-you to our Holiday Fun Guide Sponsor, The Ingleside Hotel presenting the Country Christmas.
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS at the Ingleside Hotel is Wisconsin’s Largest outdoor drive-through light display and it begins soon for the 2024 season. Enter a separate giveaway to win one of three carload passes in November.
Country Christmas is open November 29th, 2024 – December 3, 2024 & December 5, 2024 – January 1, 2025. Sunday through Thursday
Country Christmas is Wisconsin’s longest standing and most spectacular drive- hrough holiday lights event! Country Christmas features over a million holiday lights festively displayed along a mile-long trail that winds through the woods. You’ll experience enchanting animated figures and holiday scenes – all from the comfort of your car. And when you’ve finished your trip through the trail, leave your vehicle behind and visit Christmas Village and The Streets of Bethlehem. Christmas Village is home to our spectacular, working model train display as well as a concession area to purchase refreshments. The Streets of Bethlehem is where you will be amazed!
Illuminated Walks – Join us November 15 – 17 and November 22 – 24, 2024 for an Illuminated Walk- Through Country Christmas. This six-night only event will help benefit the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County. Enjoy the mile long Country Christmas trail like you never have before. Hours are 5pm – 9pm, last admission tickets sold at 8pm. Admission is $8 per person with $2 donated directly to the Christmas Clearing Council.
Dogs are allowed on the walking trail; however dogs are not allowed in Christmas Village or Streets of Bethlehem. Please dress for the weather. Hot Chocolate and other concessions will be available in Christmas Village.
Wagon Rides – Ride our wagon to see the lights! On select nights, take in the lights of Country Christmas Trail from our Wagon Ride! Rides are at 5:15pm, 6:00pm, 6:45pm, 7:30pm, and 8:15pm. (Based on availability)
- December 1 – 3 & 5, 2024
- December 8 – 12, 2024
- December 15 – 19, 2024
$20 per person. Ticket includes hot chocolate and a cookie. You can purchase tickets in Christmas Village. Carload admission not required for the wagon ride. Wagon rides will leave promptly at your scheduled departure time. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Country Christmas Bikes and Lights – NEW
Join us for a NEW family-friendly way to experience Country Christmas! November 26 and 27, 2024 from 5pm – 9pm, guests will be allowed to bike through the Country Christmas trail. Admission includes unlimited number of trips through the trail on the event date selected. The trail will be closed to any drive through traffic on these special nights. Enjoy live Music by Phil Norby from 6pm-9pm inside the tent located in Christmas Village.
- Hours are 5pm – 9pm with the last admission tickets sold at 8pm.
- Admission is $8 per person. Children 23 months and younger are free.
- We encourage guests to decorate their bikes and wear festive clothing.
- There will be a contest for the best bike for children 12 and under at 7pm and for adults at 8pm in Christmas Village.
- Remember to dress for the weather.
HANDY HOLIDAY GUIDES
(CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW)
2024 Holiday Guides
Ingleside Hotel
Bank Five Nine
sponsored by Roots Coffee Bar & Cafe
sponsored by the Delafield Brewhaus
sponsored by Aspire Dance Center
at home!
shop more efficiently while the kids play!
featuring our 10 favorite local shops
CAN'T MISS LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS
- MILWAUKEE LIGHT FESTIVAL – November 21, 2024 thru January 1, 2025
- ASPIRE DANCE CENTER NUTCRACKER TEA – November 23 and 24, 2024
- GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET– November 27, 29-December 1, 2024
- DOUSMAN WINTERFEST 2024 – December 1, 2024 (Dousman Santa is Coming to Town)
- COUNTRY CHRISTMAS DRIVE THROUGH LIGHT DISPLAY – Nov 29, 2024 – Dec 3, 2024, December 5th – Jan 1st, 2025
- JANESVILLE JOLLY JINGLE – December 6th to 8th, 2024
- MIDNIGHT MAGIC in Mukwonago – December 7th, 2024
- Dayspring’s annual LUMINARY NATIVITY WALK THROUGH EVENT – Dec 14, 15, 21, and 22 in 2024
- BREAKFAST WITH THE REINDEER – December 7th, 2024
- CANADIAN PACIFIC HOLIDAY TRAIN December 8th, 2024!!!
- All of the local CHRISTMAS PARADES
- Waukesha SILVER BELLS FESTIVITIES – The Tree lighting is December 6, 2024 and the Parade is December 8th
- Local TREE LIGHTING Events
- CHRISTMAS IN WALES – December 14, 2024
- St. Matthews LIVE NATIVITY – December 21, 2024
- EAST TROY SANTA TRAIN RIDE 2024 – Tickets on sale! Night trains sold out.
- AQUAVIA LUMINA and TAKE FLIGHT THEATRE’S “RUDOLPH!” AT THE WILDERNESS – New experiences in 2024
MUST SEE PERFORMANCES
The ANNUAL Production of the delightful musical rendition of the Charles Dickens classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be at the Lake Country Playhouse this Holiday season.
A Christmas Carol will run from November 29-December 15th, 2024. Performances will be held on Thursday and Friday nights at 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday nights at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $29.50. Group pricing is also available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lakecountryplayhousewi.org.
A Christmas Carol: the Musical – 17 PERFORMANCES:
Friday, November 29, 2024, 7:30pm
Saturday, November 30, 2024 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Sunday, December 1, 2024 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Thursday, December 5, 2024 7:30pm
Friday, December 6, 2024 7:30pm (Sold out!)
Saturday, December 7, 2024 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Sunday, December 8, 2024 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Thursday, December 12, 2024 7:30pm
Friday, December 13, 2024 7:30pm
Saturday, December 14, 2024 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Sunday, December 15, 2024 2:00pm and 6:00pm
MAINSTAGE ACADEMY OF DANCE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER BALLET
MainStage Academy of Dance Presents: The Nutcracker
Don’t Miss This Beloved Holiday Favorite! December 6-8, 2024
Going to see Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet at the Oconomowoc Arts Center has become a holiday tradition in the Lake Country Area. With Artistic Director Eddy Bray’s all-new choreography, Local dancers, amazing set design, and the magical musical score of Peter Tchaikovsky, the production delights audiences of all ages.
Tickets/Info: https://wedancemainstage.com/
‘Twas the Night Before…by Cirque du Soleil at the Miller High Life Theatre.
Our team member Sam saw it on Wednesday night (11/27/2024) and loved it! She went on a date night with her husband, but relayed that her small children would have loved it, too!
- Nov. 29, 2024 / Friday at 1:00 PM DOORS: 12:00 PM
- Nov. 29, 2024 / Friday at 4:00 PM DOORS: 3:00 PM
- Nov. 29, 2024 / Friday at 7:30 PM DOORS: 6:30 PM
- Nov. 30, 2024 / Saturday at 1:00 PM DOORS: 12:00 PM
- Nov. 30, 2024 / Saturday at 4:00 PM DOORS: 3:00 PM
- Nov. 30, 2024 / Saturday at 7:30 PM DOORS: 6:30 PM
- Dec. 01, 2024 / Sunday at 12:00 PM DOORS: 11:00 PM
- Dec. 01, 2024 / Sunday at 3:00 PM DOORS: 2:00 PM
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Shows run from November 29 – December 29, 2024 at the Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Performing Arts Center.
Come home for the holidays as the most famous reindeer of all soars off the screen and returns to First Stage this season. Celebrating 60 years on television, join Rudolph and friends as they come to life on stage in an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Acclaimed as “…packed full of holiday magic and family fun” by the Shepherd Express, don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us.
Performances:
Friday, December 6 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 pm
Presented by the New Berlin Eisenhower Theater
For more information, EisenhowerTheater.org
MAKE THESE HOLIDAY TRIPS
Looking for some holiday fun to get you and your family in the holiday spirit? Enjoy this list and get in touch with your jolly side 🙂
Note: Information posted below taken from websites with permission.
COUNTRY SPRINGS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS DRIVE THROUGH LIGHTS
PEWAUKEE, WI
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS at the Ingleside Hotel is Wisconsin’s Largest outdoor drive through light display and it begins soon for the 2024 season.
November 29th, 2024 – December 3, 2024 & December 5, 2024 – January 1, 2025. Sunday through Thursday hours are from 5-9 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays hours are from 5-10pm.
See details on the 2024 dates for Illuminated Walks and Wagon Rides and NEW THIS YEAR: Country Christmas Bikes and Lights.
OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS MARKET
ELKHART, WI
December 6-15, 2024!
The 2024 Old World Christmas Market is open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM, December 6 – 15, 2024. Admission is $7 per adult, children 14 and under are complimentary with an adult ticketholder. Discounted ticket prices for groups of 20 or more are available. Reminiscent of the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt of Nüremberg, Germany, the 26th annual Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort offers the warmth and merriment of this Old World tradition.
For more information, please call (877) 517-4596.
AN OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS
EAGLE, WI
Select Sat & Sun | 10 AM – 5 PM
December 7-8 & 14-15, 2024
Stroll through the charming 19th century Crossroads Village, where historic shops and cozy homes are decked in festive greenery and bustling with holiday cheer.
Give yourself the gift of memories you and your family will remember forever—and experience a treasured outing you’ll never forget—when you leave the modern-day hustle and bustle behind at Home for the Holidays.
GUIDED TROLLEY TOUR OF LIGHTS
LAKE GENEVA, WI
Christmas in the Country 2024 and the Annual Illumination Ceremony
We invite all of our resort guests and the community to help us kick off our annual six-week Christmas in the Country Celebration on Sunday, November 24, 2024. We’ll flip the switch on more than two million lights throughout the resort and follow it up with our dazzling fireworks display. Roam the resort taking in all of the sights and sounds of the holidays and stroll through our Gingerbread House Walk. Plus activities for the kids, a visit from Santa, holiday cookies and hot apple cider.
Hop aboard the Grand Geneva trolley for a tour around the resort to see all of our decorations.
- Sunday, November 24 | Activities begin at 4:30pm
- Photos with Santa begin at 4:30pm in Evergreen Ballroom
- Gather outside by the large Christmas tree around 6pm for the countdown to the illumination of holiday lights and fireworks
- Raffles will be available to benefit the Walworth County Deputy Sheriff’s Department Toys for Kids Program (cash and Venmo accepted)
- We ask that all guests and community members bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to those in need in the local community.
CANDY CANE LANE
WEST ALLIS, WI
CANDY CANE LANE is in West Allis and is fundraising for the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer).
It runs November 29 through December 25th, and the hours are:
6:00 – 9:00 pm weekdays
6:00 – 10:00 pm Friday
5:00 – 10:00 pm Saturday
5:00 – 9:00 pm Sunday Please note that the hours may change due to weather, traffic, and other conditions. Donations highly recommended. The goal is to raise $ for the MACC Fund!
WISCONSIN CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL OF LIGHTS
CALEDONIA
THE CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL OF LIGHTS
November 23rd to December 31st*
*Closed for Thanksgiving (11/28) & Christmas (12/25)
Relax in the comfort of your own vehicle as you wind your way through our campground’s winter wonderland, book your seat on Santa’s GIANT Sleigh or take a ride in our Golf Cart Holiday Train for a unique experience. Enjoy Christmas in the country with lights on all sides that are high above in the trees and one-of-a-kind hand-crafted displays.
SHALOM HOLIDAY LIGHT DRIVE THROUGH
WEST BEND
$15 adult $10 child (2 & under are free) Pay at the drive-up ticket booth No reservations needed
Bring your family and friends. Walk or in the warmth of your own car, drive slow, relax and enjoy the wildlife, the unique Holiday displays and decorations. The Drive-thru will take one hour.
After your trip through the zoo enjoy entrance into the petting zoo and a crackling camp fire. Animal feed for the petting zoo is available for purchase in the gift shop.
ENCHANTMENT IN THE PARK
WEST BEND
JOIN US FOR AN INTERACTIVE HOLIDAY LIGHTSHOW TO BENEFIT HUNGRY FAMILIES AND LOCAL
BURLINGTON
City is delighted to host the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship as part of the 2023 Ice Festival on
Saturday, December 9 and Sunday December 10 , 2023
Wehmhoff Square Park
355 N. Pine Street, Burlington, WI
LCFF HOLIDAY ARTICLES
Take the Family to a Brewers Game and Enjoy Am Fam Field
How to Make your own Hot Chocolate Bombs
12 Snowshoe Trails to Stride this Winter
15+ Ice Skating Rinks In and Around Waukesha County
30 Best Christmas Movies Guide!
Waukesha Janboree
30 Things to do Over Christmas Break
Live Nativities around Waukesha County
Drop the Kids and Shop!
South East Wisconsin Christmas Tree Farms Guide
Lake Country Family Fun’s 2024 Holiday Wishlist
Lake Country Family Fun’s Shop Small Guide
15+ Holiday Lights Displays in Lake Country + Waukesha County
Holiday Fun Guide + Giveaway
Country Christmas Drive Through Light Display
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Where to Find Santa in Waukesha County in 2024
Santa Train Ride, East Troy Electric Railroad
Fall and Holiday Craft Fair Guide
Breakfast with the Reindeer in Delafield
Food Pantry Guide of Waukesha County
Kick Your Christmas Movie Night Up A Notch
LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN Year in Review: 2021
Our Family Experience at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee
Ho Ho Humbug? Holiday Confessions About the Not-So-Easy Stuff
5 Ways to Stay Sane During Christmas Week
![Ten Ways To Do Christmas [Right] This Year](https://media.lakecountryfamilyfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/30153539/Untitled-design-1-450x253.webp)
Ten Ways To Do Christmas [Right] This Year
Hot Cocoa in a Jar!
15+ LIGHT DISPLAYS THAT AMAZE
Cookie Walks
- Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7, 2024
10:00 am until 5:00 pm
Menomonee Falls Downtown District
121 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186 - Saturday, December 7th, 2024
9:30 am until 12noon
Oconomowoc Public Library
200 W. South Street, Oconomowoc, WI
If you’d like to donate cookies, they should be dropped off at the library starting Wednesday, December 4 through Saturday morning. - Saturday, December 7, 2024
9:00 am until 12:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
121 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186
Cookie Walk located in the lower-level church dining room
For more information, call: 262-542-4256. - Saturday, December 7, 2024
9:00 am until the cookies are gone
Waukesha South High School
401 E Roberta Ave, Waukesha, WI
Waukesha South Band Boosters Cookie Walk
Cookies are set out on trays for guests to mix and match their own box of treats! - Saturday, December 14, 2024
9:00 am until cookies are gone
Jerusalem Presbyterian Church
2017 Main Street, Wales, WI
Doors open at 8:00 am, when numbers will be given out to hold your place in line. The church will sell fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee while you wait for the sale to start.
For more information, call Jerusalem Presbyterian Church at 262-968-3408. To reach the church, take I-94 to the Highway 83 exit and proceed south to Main Street in Wales. - Saturday, December 14, 2024
9:00 am until 11:00 am or cookies are gone
St. John’s United Church of Christ
N67 W28321 Sussex Road, Merton, WI
Homemade cookies will be available.
For more information, call: 262-538-1912.
We also recommend popping over to our SHOP SMALL GUIDE and hitting up these local YUMMY EATS retailers:
Sweet P’s Pantry in Oconomowoc
E and S Sweets in Mukwonago
All the Crumbs Cookies in Genesee
LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN HAS ALL YOUR HOLIDAY NEEDS. CHECK OUT OUR HOLIDAY SHOP SMALL GUIDE, PHOTOS WITH SANTA GUIDE, CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING GUIDE, CHRISTMAS TREE FARM GUIDE, HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR GUIDE, AND CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY PARADE GUIDE. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN!
ADD SOME HOLIDAY FUN
Enter to win the HOliday FUn Giveaway here:
One winner will receive:
- 1 carload pass to Country Christmas Light Display at the Ingleside Hotel + a Four Pack of Water Park Tickets
- 2 VIP Passes to MKE Improv each of which can be redeemed for two General Admission tickets, and are not time-sensitive
- 2 drink minimum required
- A Bank Five Nine Water Bottle/Straw Tumbler
- 4 tickets to the Take Flight Theatre’s “Rudolph!” at the Wilderness Hotel in Wisconsin Dells.
- Does not include hotel stay. Other exclusions and limitations apply. Physical tickets will be mailed to the winner.
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The contest runs November 8 through December 9, 2024 at 11:59PM CST. Winner announced on December 10th. One entry per person. Duplicates will be deleted. To be entered to win, comment on the Facebook post from 11/8 at 8am and enter the form. Some product exclusions apply.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED in 2024!
CONGRATULATIONS TO STACEY H. of Oconomowoc for WINNING!
GIVEAWAY DISCLOSURE:
Other: Entrants must be 18 years or older at the time of entering the giveaway. Entrants must be located in the U.S. The winner will be selected at random and notified via the email that was submitted. Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize, or another winner will be chosen. Only one entry person. Duplicates will be deleted.
Disclosure: Many thanks to the many local sponsors for providing the giveaways (see individual giveaway for sponsorship details). See PRIVACY POLICY here. The winner may be congratulated on Facebook (with the official prize notification going through email). For giveaways that are announced or promoted on Facebook, please note that these promotions are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
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Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
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Awesome information!!
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Merry Christmas
This is a fantastic guide of things to do.
Thank you!! It truly is!
Thank you! We love the Delafield Christmas Tree 🎄 lighting and the German Christmas 🎅 Market in Oconomowoc!
Yay for all things CHRISTMAS!
Sounds AMAZING!!
What a great list of things to do in our awesome community!
It’s the most magical time of the year! ✨⭐️
Thank You for ALL this “LAKE COUNTRY FAMILY FUN” POST!
All the community Christmas events with family and our own light shows – Lights on Pleasant Heights.
LightsonPleasantHeights.com
Yeah I can’t wait for the best time of year, ice fishing soon
Walking the Ingleside Christmas lights. We drove them in years past. Experienced the walking part last year, AMAZING
It is a family tradition to drive through the Country Christmas lights at the Ingleside every year with the family. I am looking forward to walking them this year.
We walked through the Christmas lights today, our first time! Can’t wait to make it an annual tradition!
We took our 1 year old and he loved it! New family tradition!
Thank you for all these resources!! Love the info on the tree farms, lighting displays, Christmas markets & more! Always need reminders for these fun events!!