When the days are short and cold and the snow begins to fall, celebrate the winter at one of these exciting winter festivals in Madison, Wisconsin. From wintry outdoor sports and magical, flickering lights to creamy, frothy treats, these unique winter festivals in Madison have something for every member of the family to enjoy.
1. Holiday Fantasy in Lights
Pack up the kids and take a drive through colorful lights at Holiday Fantasy in Lights, November 10 through January 1. Presented by the Electric Group of IBEW Local 159, this holiday treat features tunnels, sculptures, and displays of flickering lights that are sure to get in you into the holiday spirit.
The Electric Group founded this festival in 1989 and uses the skills of local electricians and contractors, along with local resources, to create this magical gift for the city, its citizens, and its visitors. Each year the displays increase in size and there are now more than 15,000 LED bulbs in use. By using LEDs instead of the former incandescent light bulbs, the group has been able to dramatically reduce the overall energy consumption at the event.
In addition to the light display, participants can also take part in a 5K run and 2M walk. Be sure to stick around for food, drinks, and live musical entertainment. Holiday Fantasy in Lights will be held at Olin Park.
2. Madison Winter Festival
Bring the family out for a day of snowy fun at the Madison Winter Festival. Held February 1-2, 2020, this community festival celebrates winter sports, art, outdoor recreation, and healthy lifestyles. Join in one of the competitions, such as Nordic skiing, snowshoe races, and the fat bike race. Kids will get a kick out of playing in the Activity Corner, where they have snow fort battles, go sledding or cross-country skiing, play a round of mini ice golf, or even paint on ice canvases or a Subaru.
Grab some tasty morsels and head to the ice carving demonstrations to be amazed by the sculptures created by talented artists or listen to live music. When night falls, take a candlelit ski tour, then gather around the campfire to warm up with s’mores and hot chocolate. The Madison Winter Festival will be held at Elver Park.
3. Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest
Warm yourself up this winter by sampling local brews and cheeses at the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest on January 18. Meet with local cheesemakers and brewers and learn about their craft, then vote for your favorite beer and cheese. Take a seat and enjoy the music at the Piano Fondue Dueling Pianos while you sip on your libations.
Take a free shuttle to and from the festival to avoid traffic or ride your bike along one of two major bike paths to the festival: the Wingra Creek Bike Path and Capital City Trail. Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest will be held at the Alliant Energy Center.
Whether you want to don your skis and join the competition or vote for the best brew in town, there’s plenty of great winter festivals in Madison, Wisconsin.
“Fun with a chain saw” via Flickr by John Benson. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
Connect with us
