Great holiday festivals

In November and December, check out Santa, Scrooge and shopping markets.

Santa arrives at Excelsior's Christkindlsmarkt. — Santa's arrival kicks off the Christkindlmarkt weekend in Excelsior, Minn.

As soon as the leaves have fallen and cold winds start to blow, the holidays get under way. This is the season for craft fairs, theme feasts and Christmas parades.

Here are some of the best holiday festivals in 2021 .

Before you go, check times and details.

Third weekend in November

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Winterer's Gathering in Grand Marais, MN There's a tent encampment, winter skills seminars, Arctic film festival and chili feed at the North House Folk School. Nov. 1-1.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

Festive Friday Eves in Cedarburg, WI Five Christmas celebrations, each with a different theme, at Cedar Creek Settlement, a restored 1864 woolen mill in this historic village just north of Milwaukee. Each features live holiday music, crafts, luminaries, wine-tasting and cookies and cider. Nov. 19.

Christkindlmarkt in Kewaunee, WI This Lake Michigan town holds its Old World Christmas market in Lakehaven Hall, with a craft market, music and German food. On Friday, there's a holiday lights parade at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1-0.

Christmas by the Bay in Sturgeon Bay, WI There's a car parade Friday evening, followed by tree light, caroling and horse-drawn wagon rides. On Saturday, there's a parade at 10 a.m. Nov. 1-1.

Virtual Holiday Folk Fair International in West Allis, WI More than 50 ethnic groups present music, dance, food and crafts from around the world. At the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center. This year, it will be online again. Nov. 1-1.

Outdoor Adventure Expo in Minneapolis, MN The expo at the Midwest Mountaineering store on the West Bank includes dozens of speakers and seminars about skiing, sled-dog racing and ice-climbing as well as camping, backpacking and other year-round adventures. Nov. 1-1.

ZooLights in Chicago, IL The annual display of 2.5 million lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo is operating at limited capacity again this year and charging $5 per person. Tickets are free on Mondays and Tuesdays. Reserve in advance. Nov. 1-4.

Christkindlmarket in Chicago, IL This is the most authentic Old World Christmas market, with many German vendors who bring over toys, ornaments and sweets. There's a Children's Lantern Parade, appearances by the Christkind and entertainment most days. In Daley Plaza in the Loop. Nov. 1-ec. 24.

Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville in Chicago, IL This North Side satellite of the Daley Plaza Christkindlmarket features ice-skating, wreath-making, music and Santa's Workshop as well as holiday vendors. Nov. 1-ec. 24.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival & Parade in Chicago, IL There will be music and family activities on Michigan Avenue, with a lighted parade from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, followed by fireworks over the Chicago River. Nov. 20.

Christmas Light Parade in Baraboo, WI The 6 p.m. parade includes live reindeer, horses, marching bands and floats. See Santa at the Al Ringling Theatre afterward for photos and treats. Nov. 20.

Holiday Parade in Green Bay, WI The parade starts at 10 a.m. downtown, at Jefferson and Stuart streets. Nov. 20.

Holiday Kerstmarkt in Holland, MI This open-air European Christmas Market at the Eighth Street Market Place includes 18 timber booths offering Dutch imports, folk art, hand-knit apparel and other gifts. Nov. 20.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Duluth, MN Tour the retro-cool lighted decorations in Bayfront Festival Park, including a tree that dances to music, Dinosaurland and Penguin Park, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There's free hot chocolate, cookies, popcorn and marshmallows to roast over fire pits. Bring cash or food to donate to food shelves. Nov. 2-ec. 27.

Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade in Appleton, WI Wisconsin's largest night-time Christmas parade starts at 7 p.m. at the corner of State Street and College Avenue. Nov. 23.

Fourth weekend in November

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, IL It's the 86th anniversary of the parade down State Street in the Loop. It starts at 8 a.m. at State Street and Ida B. Wells Drive and moves northward toward Randolph. Nov. 25.

Lakeside Park Holiday Lights in Fond du Lac, WI This free light show on Lake Winnebago includes animated scenes and trees that dance to 20 minutes of music played on 87.9 FM (you can listen on your car radio). Nov. 2-an. 1.

World-Famous Fish House Parade in Aitkin, MN The goofier the float, the better in this north-woods town, 12 miles from the north shore of Mille Lacs. There's music, food and a craft sale before and after the 1 p.m. parade. Nov. 26.

Holiday Stroll in Red Wing, MN This Mississippi River town offers a window-display scavenger hunt, parade, wagon rides and Santa. Nov. 26.

Festival of Lights Parade in Crystal Lake, IL In this northwest suburb of Chicago, the holiday parade starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 26.

Free Entrance Day to all Minnesota state parks in All state parks, MN Entrance to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas is free today. Nov. 26.

Parade of Lights in New Ulm, MN The holiday parade downtown will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 26.

Holly Days in Egg Harbor, WI This Door County village offers horse-drawn wagon rides, a children's elf hunt and mistle dough contest and caroling. Nov. 2-7.

German Christmas Market in Oconomowoc, WI This downtown market features vendors in outdoor huts as well as heated tents for music, German food, gingerbread-decorating and a beer garden. Nov. 2-8.

Christkindlsmarkt in Excelsior, MN The open-air market in this Minneapolis suburb on Lake Minnetonka also includes concerts, balloon art, storytelling, reindeer, visits with the Christkind, mugs of warm Glühwein and children's lantern parades at 5 p.m. both Saturdays. Nov. 2-8.

European Christmas Market in St. Paul, MN This Christkindlmarkt in Union Depot features choirs, dancers, hot mulled wine, holiday beers, European-inspired food and artisan goods. Nov. 2-8.

Chris Kringle Market in Ottawa, IL This town on the Illinois River kicks off its downtown festival with a parade at 6 p.m. Nov. 26, followed by fireworks. Along with the market booths, there will be carriage rides, holiday movies at the Roxy Theater, crafts, a children's train, Santa's House and Christmas Around the World displays where children can get their passports stamped.Nov. 2-8.

Holiday Homecoming & Electric Parade in St. Charles, IL There will be a kickoff to the Holiday Tree Trail, a window-decorating contest and the Electric Christmas Parade. Nov. 27.

A kiosk at Christkindlmarket. — Chicago's Christkindlmarket draws crowds to Daley Plaza.

First weekend of December

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

Christkindlmarket in Des Moines, IA This Christmas market in Principal Park, on the river confluence downtown, features vendors and food plus many performances by bands, choirs, carolers, fiddlers and dance troupes. Dec. -.

Christmas in the Ward in Milwaukee, WI Festivities in the rejuvenated Third Ward near downtown start with tree lighting and a performance by Trinity Irish Dancers, followed by fireworks, carriage rides, carolers, and a cookie sale. Dec. 3.

Sinterklaas Eve in Holland, MI In this Dutch town, St. Nicholas arrives on his white horse, surrounded by his Zwarte Piet helpers. Join a procession to the Kerstmarkt, then meet Sinterklaas, have treats and listen to carols. Dec. 3.

Christmas Walk and House Tour in Geneva, IL In this northwest Illinois town, Santa Lucia arrives in a horse-drawn carriage on Friday and hands out Swedish cookies, then Santa lights the Great Tree and opens his Gingerbread House. There's shopping amid strolling carolers. A tour of five houses is Friday and Saturday. Dec. -.

Country Christmas in Spring Green, WI This arty town on the Wisconsin River, home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen as well as House on the Rock, offers a lighted parade on Friday and an artist showcase, craft bazaar, cookie walk and fireworks on Saturday. Dec. -.

Fire & Ice Festival in Brodhead, WI This town between Monroe and Beloit celebrates with horse-drawn carriage rides, fire rings, ice sculptures, an arts-and-crafts show, luminaries, a lighted parade Friday and frozen T-shirt, gingerbread, decorated-pet and Cindy Lou Who contests. Dec. -.

Prelude to Christmas in Amana, IA In this formerly communal village in eastern Iowa, visit the decorated Tannenbaum Forest, buy at the craft bazaar, go on a pickle hunt and listen to Santa stories. Dec. -.

Dickens of a Christmas in Ripon, WI This Victorian-themed festival includes a Tour of Homes Saturday, wagon rides, an Enchanted Forest of decorated trees and a gingerbread-house contest. A Holiday Parade will be Friday and Living Windows in downtown shops Saturday. Dec. -.

European Christmas Market in St. Paul, MN This Christkindlmarkt in Union Depot features choirs, dancers, hot mulled wine, holiday beers, European-inspired food and artisan goods. Dec. -.

Norwegian Christmas Weekend in Decorah, IA In the northeast Iowa bluffs, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum will have Scandinavian food, theater, music, folk-art demonstrations, singing around the Jule tree and appearances by Julenisse and Julebukker. Dec. 4.

Sinterklaas Parade in Pella, IA In this Dutch town, the man in the red suit arrives in a wooden ship, wears a bishop's miter and has a Moorish servant as helper. The parade is at 10 a.m. Dec. 4.

Christkindl Festival in Black River Falls, WI A candlelight procession and tree lighting start this traditional German market fair. There's also Friday fireworks, live reindeer, horse-drawn trolley rides, music and a Christkindl Night of Lights Parade. Dec. 4.

Twinkle Party in Stillwater, MN Festivities include cookies, hot drinks and twinkle lights given to children. There will also be a tree-lighting ceremony and caroling. Dec. 4.

Electric Christmas Parade in Lake Geneva, WI This lighted parade down Broad and Main streets starts at 5 p.m. Dec. 4.

Home for the Holidays in Eagle, WI At this fun event at Old World Wisconsin, a complex of pioneer homesteads next to Kettle Moraine State Forest west of Milwaukee, you'll meet Father Christmas (and possibly Krampus), sip wassail, listen to brass carols and take a horse-drawn wagon ride. Dec. -.

Second weekend of December

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

European Christmas Market in St. Paul, MN This Christkindlmarkt in Union Depot features choirs, dancers, hot mulled wine, holiday beers, European-inspired food and artisan goods. Dec. 1-2.

Christkindli Market in New Glarus, WI This new outdoor market downtown features decorated mini-chalets, food and music. Dec. 1-2.

Frothbite Beer & Bites Festival in La Crosse, WI This festival inside the La Crosse Center features cheese, sausage and craft beer from more than 40 breweries. Dec. 11.

Night of the Luminaria in Galena, IL More than 5,000 candle-lit luminaria line the streets of this historic town and 30 windows become animated. Dec. 11.

Burlington Ice Festival in Burlington, WI Ice carvers compete in Wehmhoff Square Park in the Wisconsin Ice Carving Competition, with the sculptures lit at dusk. There will also be a Kris Kringle market, choir music, reindeer and horse-drawn wagon rides. Dec. 1-2.

Mrs. Claus at Bentleyville. — Mrs. Claus dispenses holiday wisdom at Bentleyville in Duluth.

Third weekend in December

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

European Christmas Market in St. Paul, MN This Christkindlmarkt in Union Depot features choirs, dancers, hot mulled wine, holiday beers, European-inspired food and artisan goods. Dec. 1-9.

Holidazzle in Minneapolis, MN This free holiday market in Loring Park, on the edge of downtown, is just one weekend this year. In addition to vendors and food, it will feature appearances by Santa and the illuminated Holidazzle Yeti, outdoor yoga, a carousel, Ferris wheel and giant slide and fireworks at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dec. 1-9.

Fourth weekend in December

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien, WI During the last week of the year, the parks department in this Mississippi River town offers lighted sledding, a torchlight ski/hike, a skating party, ice fishing and snow football. Dec. 2-1.

Father Christmas at Old World Wisconsin. — A Thomas Nast Santa awaits children at Old World Wisconsin.

New Year's Eve and Day

Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison, WI The free display in Olin Park is open from dusk to dawn. Nov. 1-an. 3.

Holiday Lights Festival in Milwaukee, WI The season-long lights festival includes more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown's parks and streets. Nov. 1-an. 1.

Cherry Ball Drop in Traverse City, MI In this town on Grand Traverse Bay, there's music from 10:30 p.m., and a large illuminated cherry drops 115 feet at midnight. Dec. 31.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Ludington, MI The party in this Lake Michigan beach town includes music, dancing, a beer tent, a lighted ball drop and fireworks. Dec. 31.

Pierogi Drop in Whiting, IN This suburb of Chicago with Polish roots celebrates the new year by dropping a 10-foot illuminated pierogi, or filled dumpling, into a boiling cauldron at midnight. There will also be music and fireworks. Dec. 31.

Cheese Drop in Plymouth, WI At this family-friendly event at the Plymouth Arts Center, there will be live music, cheese-tasting, hot cocoa and a bonfire before an 80-pound lighted wedge of cheese is dropped 100 feet at 10 p.m. It's followed by more music and a champagne toast at midnight. Dec. 31.

New Year's Day Parade in Egg Harbor, WI Welcome the new year with a 1 p.m. parade. Everyone is welcome to march. Jan. 1.

Cool Fool Kite & Ice Festival in Milwaukee, WI In addition to kite-flying, there will be ice carving, trebuchet tossing and free hot chocolate, coffee and snacks in the lakefront Veterans Park. Jan. 1.

First Day Hikes in Iowa in State parks, IA More than 50 Iowa state parks will participate in a hiking challenge, and 23 state parks are offering guided hikes, many with hot drinks and snacks. Admission is always free. Jan. 1.

Last updated on December 27, 2021

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Because life's too short to stay home …

Great holiday festivals

In November and December, check out Santa, Scrooge and shopping markets.

Third weekend in November

Fourth weekend in November

First weekend of December

Second weekend of December

Third weekend in December

Fourth weekend in December

New Year's Eve and Day