Holly, Jolly Happenings for Wisconsin Dells Christmas

November 8, 2024

Joy is abundant all year long in Wisconsin Dells, but especially so at Christmastime. Make this the year you start a new tradition of spending Christmas in Wisconsin Dells.

As if the waterparks and other fun attractions weren’t reason enough to consider celebrating the Christmas holiday in Wisconsin Dells, we now bring you even more reasons to take the mistletoe and ho-ho-ho on the road.

Magical Holiday Events

This just in – the Canada Pacific/Kansas City Southern Holiday Train of Lights will make a stop in Wisconsin Dells on December 9 from 2:30 – 3:15pm. What we love about this train tour is how it pairs live performances by The Lone Bellow and Tiera Kennedy, an appearance by Santa & Mrs. Claus, food, and raffles with a chance to give back by bringing a non-perishable food item or monetary donation to benefit the Central Wisconsin Community Action Council’s food pantry.

The train will make its stop in downtown Wisconsin Dells at the Amtrak Depot located at 100 La Crosse St.

Pair the Holiday Train of Lights with Wisconsin Dells’ own light show – Tree of Light, also in the downtown district. A towering silver maple tree near the entrance to the Scenic River Walk will be covered with thousands of lights, giving a magical glow to the night sky. Stroll along the river to see 80 additional decorated trees, all sponsored by area businesses and families. The Tree of Light will remain lit every night from 4:30 – 11pm through January 5. Free parking is available. Check out the schedule for Tree of Light activities, including musical performances and visits by Santa and his reindeer.

Back for the second season, Legacy Dinner Theater presents Christmas in the Dells Dinner Show, including a four-course Christmas feast followed by a spectacular show with flying sugar plum fairies, dancing elves, and Jolly Ol’ St. Nick himself, with a big band adding to the festive holiday mood. There are lunch and dinner shows running through the end of December.

The outdoor living history museum and operating railroad, Mid-Continent Railway Museum in nearby North Freedom, does an incredible job of bringing the magic of Christmas past to life for little ones with its Santa Express ride, November 30 – December 1 and December 7 – 8. Look for Santa to be one of the passengers along with his elves who will be handing out treats to all the good little girls and boys.

Or, enjoy storytime with Santa complete with cookies and hot chocolate during Santa Trains at Riverside & Great Northern Railway November 30 and December 1. The first train departs from Hyde Park Station at 11am and the last train ride starts at 2pm.

Here’s What’s Happening at Wisconsin Dells Waterpark Resorts This Winter

If you think the waterpark resorts are a blast during the summer season, just wait until you feast your eyes on their holiday transformations. Picture dazzling decorations, appearances by none other than Santa himself, holiday crafts for the kiddos, and, of course, scrumptious buffets featuring all your favorites.

At Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, visitors will be thinking they stepped foot into the North Pole. How else to explain all the planned Santa visits, cookie decorating, and crafting activities on the schedule. This year, visit Take Flight, Wilderness Aerial Adventure Ride to see a new adventure from your favorite reindeer in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer^® A Take Flight Holiday Experience.

The Great Wolf Lodge's popular Snowland returns with holiday dance parties, arts & crafts, and scavenger hunt. The kids will be in the Christmas spirit in no time.

We can’t say enough about the chef-prepared Christmas Day feast at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. We counted 50 items on the menu, including a white chocolate candy cane mousse on the dessert table that sounds amazing.

Chula Vista Resort delivers on the sentiment of this being the most wonderful time of the year, with endless waterpark fun, winter hikes on the property perched above the Wisconsin River, and a chance to cozy up in front of a fireplace as you and yours exchange gifts.

Holiday merriment veritably glows at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort with their spectacular Night of Lights, featuring two million lights transforming the park into a dazzling wonderland. It starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs through the first week of January.

Skiing in Wisconsin Dells

While in the Dells for Christmas, suggest to all skiers and snowboarders in the group, day visits to Cascade Mountain Ski, Snowboard & Snow Tube or Christmas Mountain Village Ski, Snowboard & Tube. For those who don’t ski, don’t worry, there is snow tubing too which is incredibly fun and requires no experience or special skills, just a joyful outlook.

Who wouldn’t love a horse-drawn sleigh or wagon ride through the snow to get into the feeling of Christmas. Red Ridge Ranch Riding Stable offers rides beginning in December, with each sleigh holding 10-15 people. So, round up your extended family, cousins included, with a promise of an unforgettable ride through 250 acres of scenic woods followed by hot chocolate around a warm campfire.