Here’s a list of 17+ fun things to do in Jefferson County, WI this December that’ll get you out of the house–and into the holiday spirit!
- Parades
- Holiday Train Stops
- Christmas Musical
- Shine Storytime
- Live Nativity
- Light Displays
- and more!
PARADES
Whitewater’s Parade of Lights
The first Friday of December is traditionally the date for Whitewater’s Christmas parade, but this year Whitewater’s event will be EXPANDED to include window displays, a park lighting ceremony, and a holiday market to shop.
DATE: Friday, December 5, 2025
TIME: Parade is at 6:00 PM, Festivities start at 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Main Street in Whitewater
COST: Free
For more information about this parade and events in Whitewater, click here!
(Here is the Facebook event for 2025)
Jefferson’s Holiday Parade of Lights
The days are getting darker, but Jefferson will be bright during its 29th annual Holiday Parade of Lights!
☀️ Shine Realty’s broker (Adriane Stuebs) is honored to serve as President Elect for the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce!☀️
DATE: Saturday, December 6, 2025
TIME: Parade is at 5:30 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Jefferson
COST: Free
For more information about this parade, click here!
(Here is the Parade Facebook event for 2025)
Palmyra’s Lions Club Christmas Parade
Santa Claus is coming to the Village of Palmyra! Following the parade, there will be a Christmas Tree Lighting at Turner Museum along with hot chocolate, cookies, and carolers.
DATE: Saturday, December 6, 2025
TIME: Parade is at 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Palmyra
COST: Free
For more information about this parade, click here!
Fort Atkinson’s Annual Holiday Parade & Holiday Weekend
Relish downtown Fort Atkinson for Holiday Weekend. Enjoy Magic on the Polar Path, shop the Holiday Market, wander the Spiked & Spirited Cocoa Crawl, and end the weekend with the 29th Annual Holiday Parade!
DATE: Sunday, December 7, 2025
TIME: Parade is at 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Fort Atkinson
COST: Free
For more information about this parade, click here!
(Here’s a Facebook Event about Holiday Weekend in Fort Atkinson.)
LIGHT DISPLAYS
Cambridge Holiday Lights in Ripley Park
Drive through the free quaint half-mile holiday lights display at Lake Ripley Park in Cambridge!
DATE: November 30 – January 1
TIME: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
LOCATION: Lake Ripley Park – N4310 Park Rd, Cambridge, WI
COST: Free (donations appreciated)
To learn more about this event, click here!
Fort Atkinson’s Magic on the Polar Path
Get in the holiday spirit along the lighted bike path with Santa & Mrs. Claus, live animals, Christmas carolers, hot chocolate, cookies, and local mascots in Fort Atkinson!
DATE: Friday, December 5, 2025 (*Fort Polar Path lights display will be open November 1, 2025 – January 3, 2026, so you can enjoy this display even if you can’t make this specific event!)
TIME: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
LOCATION: on the bike path between Rotary Pavilion and Lions Park in Fort Atkinson
COST: Free ($10 for professional photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus)
To learn more about this event, click here!
(There’s some info on Facebook too)
MUSICAL EVENTS
Watertown’s CPKC Holiday Train Stop
The CPKC Holiday Train is back in Watertown! Professional musicians play free holiday concerts from the train’s stage during its tour of Canada and the United States, to spread holiday cheer while helping people struggling with food insecurity.
DATE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Brandt-Quirk Park – 800 Carriage Hill Dr., Watertown, WI
COST: Free with donation of cash or non-perishable food items for the Watertown Food Pantry
To learn more about this event, click here!
A Wonderful Life in Fort Atkinson
The FiresideTheatre is proud to bring you this stunning, live stage version of Frank Capra’s beloved film. A Wonderful Life captures all the magic of the film as it shines with the spirit of Christmas.
DATE: Performances through December 28, 2025
TIME: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM (arrival, dining, and showtimes vary by day)
LOCATION: The Fireside Theatre – 1131 Janesville Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI
COST: $86.95 and up
To get tickets and learn more about this event, click here!
Christmas Band Chapel in Watertown
Join the Maranatha Baptist University Symphonic Band for an enthusiastic celebration of Christmas. This is always a highlight of the Christmas season!
DATE: Thursday, December 11, 2025
TIME: 9:15 AM
LOCATION: Maranatha Baptist University Gym – 745 W. Main St, Watertown, WI
COST:
To get tickets and learn more about this event, click here!
There’s also a Strings & Singers performance on December 12!
MORE FESTIVE EVENTS
Johnson Creek Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Enjoy the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Veterans Park in Johnson Creek! There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, warm beverages & seasonal snacks, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and more!
DATE: Sunday, November 30, 2025
TIME: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Veterans Park – 121 Lincoln Street, Johnson Creek, WI
COST: Free (donations of non-perishable food items will be collected for the food pantry)
To learn more about this event, click here!
(Here’s the Tree Lighting Facebook event for 2025.)
Breakfast with Santa in Lake Mills
Kids can visit Santa & Mrs. Claus! Feel free to take pictures. Enjoy a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh baked goods, applesauce, juice, milk and coffee.
DATE: Saturday, December 13, 2025
TIME: 9:00 – 10:30 AM
LOCATION: American Legion Post 67 – 129 S Main St, Lake Mills
COST: $5
To learn more about this event, click here!
Santa at the Langholf in Fort Atkinson
Bring your wish list and have a hot cocoa with Santa at the Langholf! He’ll be available for visits and photos, and he’ll be bringing his “Letters for Santa” mailbox too!
DATE: Sunday, December 14, 2025
TIME: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
LOCATION: The Langholf – 225 S Main St, Fort Atkinson, WI
COST: Free
To learn more about this event, click here!
Live Nativity in Watertown
See a LIVE outdoor (weather-permitting) portrayal of the true story of Jesus’ birth in Watertown. The presentations will include songs, narratives, and live animals.
DATE: Friday and Saturday, December 5 & 6, 2025
TIME: 5:00 – 8:00 PM (performances every 30 minutes)
LOCATION: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church – 301 Clark Street, Watertown, WI
COST: Free
To learn more about this event, click here!
Lake Mills Christmas Tree Lighting & Winter Market
The magic begins Friday evening with a tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 PM in Commons Park, Christmas carols, warm drinks & festive treats, and photos with Santa.
Saturday, the annual Lake Mills Winter Market with 65+ vendors, crafts, bakery, concessions & more will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School.
☀️🌟 Shine Realty is honored to be active supporters of Legendary Lake Mills! ☀️🌟
DATE: Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6, 2025
TIME: Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30 PM Friday | Winter Market: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday
LOCATION: Commons Park (Tree Lighting Ceremony) and St. Paul Lutheran Church and School (Winter Market) – Lake Mills, WI
COST: Free
Storytime at Shine Realty in Jefferson
Bring your little ones to the community side of Shine Realty for a story, songs, crafts, and play. December will be all about snow and snowmen!
☀️🌟 Adriane Stuebs of Shine Realty loves offering a free monthly storytime with creative activities for local families!☀️🌟
DATE: Thursday, December 11, 2025
TIME: 9:30 – 10:30 AM
LOCATION: Shine Realty – 101 N. Main Street, Jefferson, WI
COST: Free
To learn more about this event, click here!
Santa at Badger Banks in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, and Johnson Creek
Santa is Coming to Badger Banks in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, and Johnson Creek! Kids will receive a gift bag and can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at any of the locations.
**At Fort Atkinson only, there will be Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides!
DATES, TIMES, & BRANCH LOCATION: Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Fort Atkinson
DATES, TIMES, & BRANCH LOCATION: Thursday, December 11, 2024 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM in Jefferson
DATES, TIMES, & BRANCH LOCATION: Saturday, December 13, 2024 from 9:30 – 11:00 AM in Johnson Creek
COST: Free (Badger Bank is an official Christmas Neighbors drop off site. New toys may be donated here.)
To learn more about this event, click here!
HOME TOURS
Lake Mills Tour of Homes
The Lake Mills Tour of Homes is back for 2025!
Shine Realty has been honored to Sponsor of this great event for years!
DATE: Saturday, December 13, 2025
TIME: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Five Lake Mills Homes
COST: $20
To learn more about this event, click here!
(Here is the 2025 Facebook event)
Watertown Holiday Parade of Homes
Watertown canceled their Parade of Homes for 2024 but it looks like they are trying to make this year’s happen. Stay tuned!
DATE: Sunday, December 7, 2025
TIME:
LOCATION:
COST:
We Love Serving Jefferson County, WI
We are honored to have helped the most families achieve their real estate goals in Jefferson County again in 2024! Thank you for making us your go-to realtors in Jefferson County!
Festive Things to Do in Jefferson County, WI
We hope you enjoyed this list of fun festive things to do around Jefferson County, WI in December!
Save this list and pass it on to a friend. The more the merrier!
Shine on!🎄✨
This post was originally published in November 2023. It was updated in November 2024 and 2025 with updated events and information.