What's happening in the Dells

Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge

Sep 24 to Oct 31, 2026

Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells · Included with a lodge stay (packages extra)

A month of Halloween programming at the indoor waterpark resort, including a trick-or-treat trail, monster dance parties, Boo Bingo, games and crafts.

Tip: Activities are for lodge guests, so plan on a stay rather than a day visit.

Halloween Town at Mt. Olympus

Oct 3 to 31, 2026

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort, Wisconsin Dells · Pumpkin painting Saturdays 6 pm to 8 pm

October weekends at Mt. Olympus with the Underworld Scare Zone haunted attraction, free pumpkin painting for kids on Saturdays and trick-or-treating at indoor theme park rides on Halloween.

Pumpkin Special at Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Oct 18 to 25, 2026

Mid-Continent Railway Museum, E8948 Museum Rd, North Freedom · Departures 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm · $24 adults, $22 seniors, $13 kids 3 to 15 (2026); pumpkins extra

A vintage train ride to a pumpkin patch at Quartzite Lake, where riders pick pumpkins to bring back on the train.

Pumpkin Train at Riverside & Great Northern Railway

Oct 24 to 31, 2026

Riverside & Great Northern Railway, N115 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells · Weekends, 10am to 5pm · $21 adults, $16 kids 3 to 12 (2025)

A narrow-gauge train ride through the woods along the Wisconsin River, with a free pumpkin for each child 12 and under.

Tip: Advance tickets at dellstrain.com.

Santa Trains at Riverside & Great Northern Railway

A few weekend days in late November and early December, starting the weekend after Thanksgiving. 2026 dates not posted yet.

Hyde Park Station, N115 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells

Short rides on the narrow-gauge Riverside & Great Northern line paired with Polar Express story time with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate.

Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge

Late November through early January. 2026 dates not posted yet.

Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells

The indoor waterpark resort's holiday season with nightly indoor snowfall singalongs, a holiday dance party, scavenger hunts, crafts and Santa visits on select days.

Christmas in the Dells Dinner Show

Nov 11, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027

Dells Dinner Adventures, Wisconsin Dells · Lunch and dinner shows

A holiday dinner theater production with a big meal, orchestral music, dancers, comedy and variety acts, a Santa visit and a live nativity with animals. It bills itself as the largest Christmas show in Wisconsin.

Tip: Reserve ahead for weekend and holiday-week shows.

Tree of Light

Nov 20, 2026 to mid-January 2027

Scenic River Walk, downtown Wisconsin Dells · Lit nightly 4:30 pm to 11 pm · Free

A 55-foot silver maple wrapped in about 65,000 lights anchors the display, with roughly 80 decorated trees sponsored by local businesses and families along the River Walk. The opening night includes a lighting celebration, and Santa and carolers appear on select weekends.

Tip: Free parking throughout downtown; the nearest public restroom is at 105 Broadway.

Downtown Baraboo Christmas Light Parade

Sat, Nov 21, 2026

Downtown Baraboo square · 6 pm · Free

An evening parade of lighted floats through downtown Baraboo that ends with Santa lighting the community Christmas tree on top of the Al. Ringling Theatre marquee.

Santa Express and Holiday Flyer Trains

Nov 28 to Dec 6, 2026

Mid-Continent Railway Museum, E8948 Museum Rd, North Freedom · Santa Express departs 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm; Holiday Flyer (Dec 5 only) departs 4 pm and 5:30 pm · $30 adults, $18 kids 3 to 15, infants free

Vintage train rides at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum where Santa and his elves walk the coaches handing out treats. The Holiday Flyer is an evening ride through rural Sauk County without Santa.

Tip: Trains usually sell out, so buy tickets in advance.

New Year's Eve Party at Mt. Olympus

Every December 31. 2026 dates not posted yet.

Indoor Theme Park, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort, Wisconsin Dells

A family-friendly New Year's Eve party in the indoor theme park with a DJ, late-night rides and a midnight countdown with balloon and confetti drop.

CPKC Holiday Train in Wisconsin Dells

Thu, Dec 10, 2026

Amtrak Depot, 100 La Crosse St, downtown Wisconsin Dells · Arrives about 2:45 pm (stop lasts about 30 minutes) · Free (food pantry donations encouraged)

The lit-up Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train makes a short stop with a live concert from the train's stage, plus local Santa visits, food and raffles. Guests are asked to bring non-perishable food or cash for the local food pantry.

Tip: The stop is short, so arrive before the posted time. The train also stops in Portage the same day at 1:15 pm (Averbeck St).

Reedsburg Living Windows

Fri, Dec 11, 2026

Downtown Reedsburg · 6 pm to 8 pm · Free

Downtown storefront windows become live holiday scenes with costumed performers, plus carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, treats and a Santa visit. The 2026 theme is 250 years of Christmas in America.

Devil's Lake Winter Candlelight Hike

Usually a Saturday evening in late January. 2027 dates not posted yet.

Rock Elm Shelter, north shore of Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo

A torch-lit hike of about 1.5 miles from the Rock Elm Shelter up to the Northern Lights campground and back, finishing with s'mores at a bonfire.

Mirror Lake Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe

Usually the first Saturday in January and again in early February. 2027 dates not posted yet.

Beach picnic area, Mirror Lake State Park, Lake Delton

Two easy one-mile trails lit by torches, one for cross-country skiers and one for hikers and snowshoers, with bonfires run by the Friends of Mirror Lake.

Open Season Sportsman's Expo

A Friday to Sunday in mid to late March. 2027 dates not posted yet.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Wisconsin Dells

A large hunting, fishing and outdoor expo with gear vendors, boats and off-road displays, expert seminars and deer scoring.

Spring Wine Walk

Sat, Apr 17, 2027

Participating shops, restaurants and bars in downtown Wisconsin Dells

A self-guided afternoon of wine tastings with hors d'oeuvres at downtown businesses, with a free shuttle to outlying stops.