The holiday season is here, and Dane County is ready to shine. From the cherished tradition of cutting your own Christmas tree to driving through spectacular light displays, this guide covers everything you need to know about festive fun in Madison, Middleton, and the surrounding areas.
Christmas Tree Farms Near Madison
The scent of pine, the crisp winter air, and the thrill of finding your perfect tree make cutting your own Christmas tree a cherished Wisconsin tradition. Most farms open the day after Thanksgiving and offer saws, tree baling, and warm refreshments.
Summers Christmas Tree Farm
Address: 4610 Rocky Dell Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: (608) 831-4414
Hours: Day after Thanksgiving through December 24, daily 8am-5pm (arrive by 4pm to cut)
Website: summerschristmastreefarm.com
This family-owned farm has been a Middleton tradition since 1950, offering over 130 acres of rolling Wisconsin hillsides to find your perfect tree. The Christmas Shop features unique ornaments, wreaths, and festive decorations. Cut-your-own and pre-cut options available.
Hann’s Christmas Farm
Address: 848 Tipperary Road, Oregon, WI 53575
Phone: (608) 835-5464
Hours: November 1 through December 24, daily 9am-5pm (including Thanksgiving Day)
Website: hannschristmasfarm.com
Experience an old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere at this Oregon farm. Features include a large Christmas Gift Shop, Holiday Haystack play area for kids, and wagon rides to the fields. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit on three weekends after Thanksgiving from 10am-4pm. Offers Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Colorado Blue Spruce.
Jensen Trees
Address: 7507 Valley View Road, Verona, WI 53593
Phone: (608) 239-3722
Hours: Day after Thanksgiving (November 28, 2025), daily 9am-5pm while supplies last
Website: jensentrees.org
A third-generation family tradition spanning over 60 years. This Verona farm offers free services including trimming, shaking, baling, and vehicle loading assistance. Features a gift shop with locally made holiday items. Cut-your-own and pre-cut trees available. Free cookies available upon request.
Enchanted Valley Acres
Address: 5047 Enchanted Valley Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528
Phone: (608) 628-2435
Hours: November 22 through December 22, 2025, daily 9am-5pm (last entry to fields at 4pm). Closed Thanksgiving Day.
Website: enchantedvalleyacres.com
Located just north of Cross Plains, this farm offers both cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees. Tree varieties include Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, and White Pine, ranging from tabletop to 12+ feet tall. Features a Christmas Gift Shop, wreaths, garland, and porch pots. Free hot cocoa on weekends. No admission fee for tree purchases. Pets allowed on leash during Christmas tree season.
Tree City
Address: 5501 Schroeder Road (Vitense Golfland parking lot), Madison, WI 53711
Phone: (715) 533-0241
Hours: Day after Thanksgiving through approximately December 23, daily 9am-9pm
Website: tree-city.net
For those who prefer pre-cut trees with urban convenience, Tree City offers a highly-rated selection near the Beltline. Trees are freshly harvested from the Black River Falls area. Varieties include Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, White Pine, and Scotch Pine. Full service includes fresh cuts, baling, and assistance loading trees onto vehicles. Also offers wreaths and greenery.
Tips for Visiting Christmas Tree Farms
Tree farms are busiest on the first two weekends after Thanksgiving. For a quieter experience, visit on a weekday morning or early afternoon. Dress warmly and wear waterproof shoes suitable for walking through fields. Bring cash as some farms may have limited card processing. Measure your ceiling height before you go to ensure your tree fits at home.
Holiday Light Displays in Dane County
Load up the car, grab some hot cocoa, and tune into holiday music for a tour of Dane County’s best public light displays.
Holiday Fantasy in Lights
Location: Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Court, Madison, WI 53715
Dates: November 15, 2025 through January 5, 2026
Hours: Dusk until 10pm nightly
Cost: FREE (donations appreciated)
Website: fantasyinlights.com
Now in its 37th year, this beloved drive-through display features over 50 light scenes including local favorites like Bucky Badger and the Forward Flamingos. Presented by NECA and IBEW Local 159. Candy canes available 4:30-10pm nightly. Note: John Nolen Drive construction may affect access; check Facebook for updates.
Zoo Lights at Henry Vilas Zoo
Location: Henry Vilas Zoo, 702 S. Randall Avenue, Madison, WI 53715
Dates: November 22 through December 23, 2025
Hours: Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select weeknights. Entry times 5:30pm-8:30pm, gates close at 9pm.
Cost: Ticketed event. $12 general admission online, 4-pack available for $40. Children under 3 free.
Website: henryvilaszoo.gov/home/lights
Experience the zoo after hours under the glow of nearly one million lights with brand new animal light displays. Tickets include unlimited carousel rides and photos with Santa (through Christmas). Special events include Henry’s Storytime on December 7 and Sensory Friendly Night on December 10. Food and adult beverages available for purchase.
Rotary in Lights
Location: Village Park, 410 E. Main Street, Waunakee, WI 53597
Dates: November 23, 2025 through December 31, 2025
Hours: 5pm-9pm nightly
Cost: FREE (donations of cash or food encouraged)
Website: rotarylightswaunakee.org
Celebrating over 20 years of holiday magic, Waunakee’s Village Park transforms into a winter wonderland with 300,000 feet of lights. Walk or drive through light-lined streets featuring displays synchronized to music, including five golden rings, a gingerbread house, and nutcracker soldiers. All donations support local community organizations through the Rotary Club of Waunakee.
Cave of Lights
Location: Cave of the Mounds, 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds, WI 53517
Phone: (608) 437-3038
Dates: November 20, 2025 through January 31, 2026
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm (last entry 4pm). Extended evening hours on select dates in December and January.
Cost: Included with regular cave tour admission
Website: caveofthemounds.com
Experience a truly unique holiday adventure underground. The cave is transformed with beautiful light displays illuminating its natural formations, including the breathtaking High Tunnel with cascading lights from the high ceiling. The cave maintains a constant 50 degrees Fahrenheit, providing a warm escape from winter weather. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show
Location: Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 752-3885
Dates: November 28-30, December 5-7, December 11-23, December 26-30, and January 2-3, 2026
Hours: 4:30pm-8:30pm (lights out at 9pm)
Cost: $15 online, $18 at door. Children $5.
Website: rotarybotanicalgardens.org/holiday-light-show
Just a short drive south to Janesville, this 29th annual event transforms 20 acres of gardens into a dazzling winter wonderland illuminated by over 2 million lights. New for 2025: an indoor Christmas Market featuring artisan vendors and seasonal treats (December 13-23). Enjoy hot cocoa, carolers, and holiday cheer. Free trolley rides from downtown Janesville available on select dates.
Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs
Find unique gifts and support local artisans at these holiday markets throughout Dane County.
Dane County Farmers’ Market: Holiday Market
Location: Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703
Dates: Saturdays: November 15, November 22, December 6, December 13, and December 20, 2025 (closed November 29 and December 27)
Hours: 7:30am-12pm (extended to 1pm on December 6)
Website: dcfm.org/markets/holiday-market
Over 65 Wisconsin vendors offering local produce, holiday ingredients, artisan cheeses, baked goods, meats, and seasonal gifts including wreaths, candles, and soaps. SNAP/EBT accepted. Parking available in Monona Terrace garage for $5 flat rate.
Madison Fair Trade Holiday Festival
Location: Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Hours: 8am-3pm
Website: fairtrademadison.org
Now in its 29th year, this free event features over 40 vendors offering ethically produced, fair trade gifts from around the world. Find unique clothing, jewelry, ornaments, baskets, foods, and handcrafted items. Kids’ corner with scavenger hunt and weaving project. Located next door to the Holiday Farmers’ Market.
Christkindlmarket Paoli
Location: Seven Acre Dairy Company, 6858 Paoli Road, Belleville, WI 53508
Dates: Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hours: Friday 3pm-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Cost: $10 at the gate (kids 10 and under free). Ticket covers entire weekend.
Website: christkindlmarketpaoli.com
Experience old-fashioned Christmas magic at this German-inspired market just 12 miles southwest of downtown Madison. Features curated local makers and artisans, hot buttered rum and mulled wine, holiday light trail, warming igloos along the Sugar River, sledding hill, photos with Santa, and live reindeer. Holiday trolley rides through the charming town of Paoli. A portion of proceeds benefits Porchlight homeless services.
Winter Art Fair Off the Square
Location: Monona Terrace Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703
Dates: Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 2025
Hours: Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Cost: $5 admission
Website: artcraftwis.org
Now in its 36th year, this juried fine art fair features over 135 Wisconsin artists showcasing pottery, paintings, fiber art, glass, wood, photography, jewelry, graphics, and sculpture. Includes a Young Collectors’ Corner where children can purchase affordable art, plus a silent auction featuring works by exhibiting artists.
The Big Gay Holiday Market
Location: Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713
Dates: Friday, December 19 and Saturday, December 20, 2025
Hours: Friday 5pm-10pm (18+ only, ticketed), Saturday 10am-5pm (free, masks required 10am-12pm)
Website: thebiggaymarketllc.com
This inclusive market showcases over 80 LGBTQ+ and allied local makers and small businesses. Friday night features exclusive shopping, photo booth, drag show, and meet Santa. Saturday is free and open to all ages, featuring clothing swap, drag bingo, and more. Gender-neutral restrooms available. ADA accessible.
Aldo Leopold Nature Center Holiday Market
Location: Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive, Monona, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 801-0080
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Hours: 9am-3pm
Cost: FREE admission and parking
Website: aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Focus on sustainable, locally-made, and nature-inspired items. Find handcrafted jewelry, hand-dyed scarves, handspun yarns, found-object art, local foods made from Wisconsin ingredients, and DIY craft gifts. Proceeds support children’s environmental education programs. Food and beverages available from Ugly Apple Cafe.
Make the Most of Your Holiday Season
Whether you’re seeking the perfect Christmas tree, marveling at millions of twinkling lights, or finding unique handcrafted gifts, Dane County offers countless ways to celebrate the holiday season. Check individual websites for the most current hours and any weather-related closures, and consider visiting on weekdays for a less crowded experience.
Holiday Storage Tip: Need space for your holiday decorations after the season? The Storage Guy offers convenient storage solutions throughout the Madison area. Keep your decorations safe and organized year-round.