Dinner Shows and Live Shows in Wisconsin Dells: The Christmas Show, Magic and Concerts
The Dells has one dinner theater, one long-running magic show and a 2,000-seat concert hall, which covers most of what people mean by a "Dells show." The dinner theater changes its show with the seasons, and from mid-November to early January it's home to the Christmas show, the biggest holiday ticket in town.
This is a planning guide. We haven't been to these shows ourselves yet, so the details below come from each venue and the Wisconsin Dells visitor bureau, checked in November 2026. Showtimes and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Quick guide
| Show | Where | Dinner included? | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas in the Dells | Dells Dinner Adventures | Yes | November 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027 |
| Seasonal dinner shows (magic, circus, pirates, Halloween) | Dells Dinner Adventures | Yes | Year-round, changing by season |
| Tribute and holiday concerts | Dells Dinner Adventures | Some shows | Select dates |
| Rick Wilcox Magic Theater | The Parkway | No | Year-round |
| Concerts | Crystal Grand Music Theatre | No | Select dates |
Dells Dinner Adventures
Dells Dinner Adventures, formerly the Legacy Dinner Theater, is the Dells' dinner show. It's a 700-seat theater on the Parkway, across from the Wilderness Resort, and one ticket covers dinner and the show. The whole evening runs about two hours, and the venue is cashless (cash only for tips).
The show changes through the year. The 2026 to 2027 lineup:
| Show | Season |
|---|---|
| Christmas in the Dells | November 11 to January 3 |
| Magic Beyond Belief, with illusionist Jason Hudy | January 16 to February 21 |
| Bello's Circus Extreme, with Bello Nock | March 6 to April 18 |
| Pirates in the Dells | May 6 to September 19 |
| Monster Mash Spooktacular | Mid-September to October 31 |
Box office: (608) 432-7469.
Christmas in the Dells
This is the one most people are searching for. It bills itself as the largest Christmas show in Wisconsin, with orchestral music, big production numbers, comedy and variety acts, a visit from Santa, and a finale with a live nativity, animals included. For 2026 the show advertises something new called "The Christmas Express."
- Dates: November 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The show's older website says November 13, so if you're looking at the first week, confirm with the box office.
- Price: tickets start at $79.95 for adults and $49.95 for kids, dinner and show included. Prices vary by date and seat.
- Dinner: a holiday dinner comes with the ticket. Menus have changed over the years, so check the current one if anyone in your group has dietary needs.
- Showtimes: there are lunch and dinner shows. Check the show schedule for your date, and plan to arrive about an hour before showtime.
- Book early for weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year's.
- Staying at the Wilderness? The resort has offered its guests a $50 credit toward the show. Ask when you book.
Holiday concerts
The theater also hosts tribute concerts with lunch and dinner seatings. On the 2026 holiday calendar:
- Elvis tribute, "Two Kings, One Legend": Monday, November 16 ($84.70 to $99.70)
- The Wizards of Winter: Monday, November 30 ($74.70 to $94.70)
- Country Christmas with a Brooks & Dunn tribute: Monday, December 7 ($74.70 to $94.70)
Rick Wilcox Magic Theater
The Rick Wilcox Magic Theater on the Parkway has been running since 1999. It's a Las Vegas-style magic and illusion show of 90 minutes or so, starring Rick and Suzan Wilcox, in a 550-seat theater. There's no dinner, just concessions, so it pairs well with a meal before or after. The theater is open year-round; check the website for show dates. Upcoming 4 pm shows include November 28, December 27, 29 and 31, 2026. A New Year's Eve matinee is a nice option for families with young kids. Call (608) 254-5511 for tickets.
Crystal Grand Music Theatre
The Crystal Grand is the Dells' concert hall, with touring country, rock and holiday acts. It doesn't serve a dinner show, but some concerts sell a separate pre-party ticket. Shows are for ages 6 and up.
Holiday concerts in 2026:
- Christmas with Danny Gokey & Friends: Friday, December 11
- The Oak Ridge Boys: Saturday, December 12, a 3 pm show
- Terri Clark, "It's Christmas...Cheers!": Saturday, December 19
Also on the November and December calendar: 38 Special, Sawyer Brown, Molly Hatchet with The Sweet, Roots & Boots, and Bad Co Legacy. Check the website for the full list and prices.
Other live shows and music
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells hosts touring music and comedy acts, plus free tribute concerts. Check its events page.
- Live music in bars: Redd's Piano Bar at Kalahari has sing-along piano, Shed's Honky Tonk opened in 2026 with live music, and The SILO Bar added an outdoor stage. See our live music picks for current places.
- The Tommy Bartlett Show has closed. The water-ski show shut down in 2020 and won't be coming back. The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory science center is still open year-round.
Tips
- Book ahead for December. The Christmas show and the holiday concerts sell out on popular dates.
- Make a night of it. A dinner show plus the Tree of Light downtown makes an easy holiday evening.
- Mind the age rules. Crystal Grand concerts are 6 and up. The dinner theater is family-friendly.
- With little kids, the matinee and lunch shows are easier than the late seatings.
Where to stay
Both of our homes are about 10 to 15 minutes from the Parkway, so a dinner show is an easy night out. The Hot Tub Hideout sleeps 12, good for a family holiday trip with grandparents, and the Arcade Hideout sleeps 6. See all our homes.
FAQ
Is there a dinner show in Wisconsin Dells?
Yes. Dells Dinner Adventures, formerly the Legacy Dinner Theater, runs dinner shows all year: Christmas in the Dells in the holiday season, a magic show and a circus show in winter and spring, Pirates in the Dells in summer and a Halloween show in the fall. Dinner is included in the ticket.
When is the Christmas show in Wisconsin Dells?
Christmas in the Dells runs from November 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027, at Dells Dinner Adventures, with lunch and dinner shows.
How much is the Christmas in the Dells dinner show?
Tickets start at $79.95 for adults and $49.95 for kids, and they include dinner and the show. Prices vary by date and seat.
Is the Tommy Bartlett Show still running?
No. The Tommy Bartlett water-ski show closed for good in 2020. The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, the science center, is still open.
Does the Rick Wilcox magic show include dinner?
No. The Rick Wilcox Magic Theater is a show only, about 90 minutes, with concessions. For dinner and a show in one ticket, go to Dells Dinner Adventures.
