We sure like to celebrate the holidays here in town. Following is a curated list of the upcoming holiday parties, shows, races and events in Madison, WI. Quite a few events from pre-2020 still have not returned, and an overabundance of events takes place the first weekend in December.
Holiday Shows
- “All is Calm” runs Dec. 1-11 at the Overture Center. Tickets are $20-$35.
- A Madison Symphony Christmas runs Dec. 2-4 at the Overture Center. Tickets are $20-$98.
- The Capitol Christmas Pageant takes place Dec. 4 at the State Capitol. Free to attend.
- “A Christmas Carol” runs Dec. 10-23 at the Overture Center. Tickets are $48-$65.
- “The Nutcracker” runs Dec. 16-24 at the Overture Center. Tickets are $19-$95.
- “Guys on Ice” runs Dec. 26-Dec. 31 at the Barrymore. Tickets are $35.
Holiday Parties
- The Magnet Winter Charity Fete is held Dec. 2 at the Concourse Hotel. Tickets are $50-$75.
- The Elvehjem Holiday in the Park takes place Dec. 3 at Elvehjem Park. Free to attend.
- An Ugly Sweater Holiday Party is held Dec. 10 at all Nitty Gritty locations. Free to attend.
- An Ugly Sweater Party takes place Dec. 10 at Vintage Spirits. Free to attend.
Holiday Races and Bar Crawls
- The newly renamed Toys for Tots Bar Crawl starts at Red Rock Saloon on Dec. 3. Tickets cost $20.
- Run, Santa, Run 5K takes place Dec. 4 on the Capitol Square. Fee is $25-$50.
- The Holiday Cookie Run takes place Dec. 5 at Fleet Feet. Free to participate.
- 12 Bars of Christmas takes place Dec. 10 on State Street. Tickets cost $15.
Other Holiday Events
- The Holiday Fantasy in Lights runs Nov. 12-Jan. 1 at Olin Park. Admission is free.
- Zoo Lights is held Nov. 25-Dec. 30 (Fridays-Sundays) at Henry Vilas Zoo. Tickets cost $10.
- Winter Wonderland in the Village is held Dec. 3 in McFarland. Free to attend.
- Holiday Express runs Dec. 3-31 at Olbrich Gardens. Tickets are $5-$8.
- The Fair Trade Holiday Festival takes place Dec. 3 at Monona Terrace. Free to attend.
- The HolidayFest Arts & Crafts Fair takes place Dec. 3 at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Entry fee is $1.
- Flixmas with the movie “Christmas Vacation” showing on Dec. 5 and 13 and Flix Brewhouse. Tickets are $7.
- A Holiday Cheers and Beers indoor market takes place Dec. 11 at Wisconsin Brewing Co. Free to attend.
- Holiday Brew ‘N View with the movie “Elf” showing on Dec. 15 at the Majestic. Tickets are $7.
Photo from Capitol Christmas Pageant
Tags: downtown, east side, far west, McFarland, Middleton, near west, north side, south side, Sun Prairie, Verona
