USA TODAY International Edition
Wisconsin towns turn on holiday charm
It’s time to deck the halls and streets of Wisconsin for the holiday season.
There’s plenty to do in Wisconsin’s big cities, from seeing lights in Milwaukee to visiting the Capitol Christmas tree in Madison.
But there’s something extra-charming about small towns that get festive. There’s a reason Hallmark holiday movies always take place in small towns – Main Street America is where the magic happens.
Many small towns across Wisconsin have parades, tree lightings and visits from Santa. But some turn up the volume with special things to see and do.
Here are five towns worth visiting.
Cedarburg
Cedarburg might have the market cornered on Christmas charm. The downtown district along Washington Avenue is the perfect backdrop: It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, with 19th-century buildings now filled with modern shops, galleries and restaurants. During A Cedarburg Christmas, that stretch of downtown is decked out in garland and ribbons and plays host to special events.
Highlights include Festive Friday Eves, every Friday through Dec. 21. The Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement are open until 9 p.m There is live music, wine tasting, cider, cookies and kidfriendly activities. Kids will also love visiting with Santa in his workshop, a gingerbread house on Washington Avenue; Register at cedarburgchristmas.com to avoid the crowds.
Elkhart Lake
The Osthoff Resort’s Old World Christmas Market is a town in itself. Now in its 21st year, the market is modeled after a traditional Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. More than 70 vendors from around the world sell hand-crafted gifts, from Czech blown-glass ornaments to Polish pottery. “The whole market is reminiscent of the Christmas markets in Germany and all of the European countries,” Lola Roeh, general manager of the resort, said.
German influence permeates the Old World Food Market, with the smells of bratwurst and roasted almonds mixing with hot glühwein (mulled wine). Kids might also spot Father Christmas there.
Little ones can enjoy other holiday activities at the resort, including breakfast with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating and more Dec. 8 and 15.
The market is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 30 through Dec. 9. Admission is $7 for adults and free for kids 14 and under with an adult. The Osthoff offers special lodging packages for the holidays. See osthoff.com.
The Osthoff Resort is at 101 Osthoff Ave., Elkhart Lake, about 60 miles north of Milwaukee.
Ripon
Ripon’s special take on the holidays includes living window displays in 20 storefronts around downtown during Dickens of a Christmas from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Dec. 8.
Other weekend festivities include an Enchanted Forest of Christmas trees, a living nativity, live reindeer, a tour of homes and breakfast with Santa.
Ephraim
You can’t go wrong with a getaway to any Door County town during the holidays.
Ephraim is tucked into a scenic bay with white-washed buildings and church steeples looking out over a marina of sailboats.
The village piles on the charm during Christmastime, when decorations and sparkling lights adorn those buildings and a community Christmas tree stands in Harborside Park.
Make this trip a weekend getaway with a stay at the Eagle Harbor Inn, and journey to Door County’s other villages for more festivities.
Hayward
The home of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame turns its focus to landbased fun for the holidays.
During A Lure of Lights through Jan. 1, volunteers decorate downtown with thousands of LED lights. Special events fill the weekends, from hot chocolate crawls Dec. 15 to a lighted parade Dec. 8.
Stay at the McCormick House, a Victorian bed-and-breakfast downtown, or the Spider Lake Lodge, a classic Northwoods retreat 15 miles east of town. For good food and beer, stop by the Angry Minnow. If there’s snow, check out the legendary Birkebeiner ski trail that travels between Hayward and Cable.