Christmas in Wisconsin Dells: Holiday Lights, Events and Santa Trains for 2026
The Dells in December is a different trip from summer. The indoor waterparks are warm, the resorts go all out with decorations, the Tree of Light glows on the River Walk downtown, and there's snow on the ski hills nearby. Here's what's happening for the 2026 holiday season, plus a few nearby events worth the drive.
Dates below are confirmed for 2026 unless I say otherwise. A lot of resorts post their holiday schedules in November, so I'll keep this updated, and it's always worth checking before you go.
Quick list for 2026
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 11 to Jan 3 | Christmas in the Dells dinner show | Dells Dinner Adventures, Wisconsin Dells Parkway |
| Nov 20 to mid-January | Tree of Light, nightly 4:30 to 11 pm | River Walk, downtown Wisconsin Dells |
| Nov 21 | Christmas Light Parade, 6 pm | Downtown Baraboo |
| Nov 27 | Holiday Lighted Parade and tree lighting, 6 pm | Downtown Portage |
| Late Nov to early Dec weekends | Santa Express train | Mid-Continent Railway Museum, North Freedom |
| Dec 4, 11 and 18 | Festive Fridays | Wollersheim Winery, Prairie du Sac |
| Dec 5 | Christmas in Webb Park, 4 to 7 pm | Reedsburg |
| Dec 10 | CPKC Holiday Train, 2:45 pm | Amtrak depot, 100 La Crosse St, Wisconsin Dells |
| Dec 11 | Living Windows, 6 to 8 pm | Downtown Reedsburg |
The Tree of Light
The Dells' big holiday tradition. A 55-foot silver maple on the River Walk is wrapped in about 65,000 lights, and around 80 more trees along the path are decorated by local businesses and families. In 2026 it lights up on Friday, November 20 and stays lit nightly from 4:30 to 11 pm through mid-January 2027.
It's free, and downtown parking is free in winter. The nearest public restroom is at 105 Broadway. Last year's lighting night included Santa, music and warm drinks, so watch wisdells.com for this year's lighting celebration details. Pair it with dinner on Broadway. See our list of the best restaurants in Wisconsin Dells.
The CPKC Holiday Train
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train, a train covered in lights with a live concert on board, stops in Wisconsin Dells on Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 2:45 pm at the Amtrak depot, 100 La Crosse St. It's free to attend. Earlier that afternoon it stops in Portage at 1:15 pm. In past years the stop has also been a food pantry drive, so bring a donation if you can.
Santa trains
- Santa Express at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, North Freedom, near Baraboo. Vintage heated train cars, a visit from Santa and small gifts from the elves. It runs on weekends from late November into early December. It often sells out, so reserve early.
- Riverside & Great Northern Railway Santa Trains, just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells. A short train ride with storytime with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate. It has run on late November and early December weekends in past years. Check the railway's site for 2026 dates.
Holidays at the resorts
The big resorts decorate their lobbies and run holiday activities, and most of them are included with a stay:
- Great Wolf Lodge turns into Snowland from late November into early January, with indoor "snowfall," a family dance party, crafts, games and Santa visits on select days. Read our Great Wolf Lodge review.
- Kalahari has holiday decorations in the lobby, Santa visits, a Christmas Day feast and a New Year's Eve buffet. Read our Kalahari review.
- Wilderness Resort has Santa visits, cookie decorating and, in recent seasons, a Rudolph holiday film on its Take Flight flying ride. At night, Aquavia Lumina runs year-round. Read our Wilderness review and Aquavia Lumina review.
- Mt. Olympus has hosted a Santa's Christmas Village and a walk-through light show in past seasons. See our Mt. Olympus guide.
- Chula Vista decorates its indoor waterpark and runs kids' holiday activities and New Year's Eve parties for resort guests.
Most resorts post their 2026 holiday schedules in November, so check their sites for exact dates.
A holiday dinner show
Christmas in the Dells at Dells Dinner Adventures on the Parkway runs from November 11, 2026 to January 3, 2027: an all-you-can-eat dinner and a holiday show with Santa and a live nativity finale. The same venue has holiday concerts on select Monday nights in late November and early December. Call (608) 432-7469 to book.
Nearby parades and light displays
- Baraboo Christmas Light Parade: Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 6 pm downtown. It ends with Santa lighting the tree on the Al. Ringling Theatre marquee. Free.
- Portage Holiday Lighted Parade and tree lighting: Friday, November 27, 2026, at 6 pm on Cook Street.
- Christmas in Webb Park, Reedsburg: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4 to 7 pm. Dozens of evergreens lit at once, plus Santa, s'mores and wagon rides. Free.
- Living Windows, Reedsburg: Friday, December 11, 2026, 6 to 8 pm. Performers in the storefront windows along Main Street, plus Santa and caroling. Free.
- Festive Fridays at Wollersheim Winery, Prairie du Sac: December 4, 11 and 18, 2026, with holiday cocktails, prime rib dinners and live music. Read about Wollersheim and other wineries.
Skiing and snow
If the weather cooperates, the ski hills open in late November and December:
- Cascade Mountain near Portage is projected to open around November 28, 2026.
- Christmas Mountain Village, just outside the Dells, is projected to open around December 19, 2026, with skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
Openings depend on the weather, so check before you go. See our guide to things to do in Wisconsin Dells in winter for more.
Tips for a holiday trip
- Book early for Christmas week and New Year's. These are some of the busiest weeks of the winter at the resorts.
- Go midweek in early December for lower rates and smaller crowds.
- Reserve train rides ahead. The Santa trains often sell out.
- Pack for both: swimsuits for the indoor waterparks, and boots and warm layers for the Tree of Light and everything else.
- Leave time for the roads. Snow can slow the drive.
Where to stay for the holidays
A house with room to spread out makes the holidays easier. At our Hot Tub + Sauna + Game Room home, the hot tub sits on a covered porch, so a snowy evening soak is part of the trip, and the game room keeps everyone busy after dark. The Private Arcade Room home is cozier for families of up to 6. Both are about 10 to 12 minutes from the Tree of Light downtown. See our homes.
FAQ
When does the Tree of Light start in 2026?
Friday, November 20, 2026. It's lit nightly from 4:30 to 11 pm through mid-January 2027 on the River Walk downtown, and it's free.
When is the CPKC Holiday Train in Wisconsin Dells?
Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 2:45 pm at the Amtrak depot, 100 La Crosse St. It's free.
Is Wisconsin Dells worth visiting at Christmas?
Yes, if you like indoor waterparks and holiday lights. The resorts decorate and run holiday activities, the Tree of Light is downtown, and the ski hills are nearby.
Are there Santa trains near Wisconsin Dells?
Yes. The Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom runs the Santa Express on late November and early December weekends, and the Riverside & Great Northern Railway has run Santa trains just north of the Dells in past years.
