Festive Holiday Towns and Cities in Wisconsin

The holiday season is a time of year adored by people across the world. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday this season, this period is a time for joy, family, celebration and relaxation. Everyone prefers to celebrate their holidays differently. Some prefer to spend them at home, while others love celebrating the season at a destination nearby or abroad. There are several appealing Wisconsin destinations to choose from for those looking to spend the holiday season immersed in a winter wonderland.

Wisconsin has snowy weather and an atmosphere of festiveness and excitement throughout the holiday season. If you’re searching for a town or city to spend your holidays in the Badger State, there are several to explore. Let’s look at some of Wisconsin’s best towns and cities to enjoy the holidays.

Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s biggest city and the heart of its culture. This major urban hub has many of the top restaurants and shops in Wisconsin. Milwaukee is famed for its breweries, museums and scenic Lake Michigan views. Visiting Milwaukee during the holiday season makes for an excellent experience.

Milwaukee’s downtown comes alive this season with the Holiday Light Festival. The downtown lights up to create a festive atmosphere, giving it a perfect wintery look. Activities to enjoy in Milwaukee during the holidays include ice skating at Red Arrow Park, shopping at the Historic Third Ward, or watching holiday classic plays like A Christmas Story at local theaters.

Lake Geneva is a popular resort destination in Wisconsin. In the summer, it is filled with tourists looking to enjoy activities such as boating and fishing along the waters of Lake Geneva. While the summer is when Lake Geneva is busiest, it also serves as an exciting holiday destination.

If you love wintery outdoor recreation, Lake Geneva is the place to be this holiday season. There are multiple ski resorts, including Vail Resort and the Grand Geneva Resort. Festive lights shine on multiple ice rinks along the water to create a cozy winter atmosphere. There will be ice sculpture events, thrilling tobogganing hills, and a family-friendly winter vibe.

Cedarburg is a quiet suburb of Milwaukee, home to around 12,000. It is a scenic community known for its architecture and history, and many 19th-century buildings are scattered throughout the town. It has a cozy feel with inns, bed and breakfasts, antique shops, art galleries, and delicious restaurants. This warm and welcoming vibe makes it a perfect holiday destination.

There’s much to do in and around Cedarburg during the holidays. Ice skating and cross-country skiing are popular activities, and after a long day out, you can relax with a wine tasting from some of the area’s local wineries. There are festive events throughout the holiday season, including cookie-making and more. The biggest event will be the annual Cedarburg Winter Festival, which has food, face-painting booths, and family-friendly holiday fun.

Hayward is a small town along the Namekagon River. It is a quiet community home to less than 3,000 but is a popular summer destination for fishing and boating. Hayward is filled with outdoor recreation opportunities, including popular ATV trails that turn into snowmobile trails come winter. The holidays in Hayward are a busy and exciting time.

The biggest holiday event in Hayward is the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race. In this race, thousands of skiers, ranging from professionals to recreational skiers, race in one of the biggest annual cross-country events. Even if you don’t ski, this event is a great spectacle. Throughout the holiday season, Hayward is decorated in lights and has live entertainment and events in the downtown area.