Santa Sightings

Rotary Lights Display

Nov. 29–Dec. 31, various times

Riverside Park, 100 State St., rotarylights.org

Winter wonderland of lights, music, carriage rides, live reindeer, visits with Santa, and more. Parade, 11/29, 5pm embarking at 6th & Main St. Free; canned good and monetary donations encouraged.

Santa's Workshop

Dec. 1-23, 2-7pm

500 Main St., lacrossedowntown.com/hometownholidays

Magical meet ‘n greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Santa Visits Altra

Dec. 5: Holmen branch, 1404 S. Main St. (3:30-5:30pm)

Dec. 6: La Crosse branch, 2715 Losey Blvd. S. (4-6pm)

Dec. 9: West Salem branch, 1400 Waterloo Ave. (3:30-5:30pm)

Dec. 14: Onalaska branch, 1807 E. Main St. (10am-12pm)

Dec. 17: La Crescent branch, 205 N Chestnut St #102, (3:30-5:30pm)

altra.org

Photos, stories, and special gifts from Santa while supplies last. 

Old-Fashioned Christmas

Dec. 7, 10am-4:30pm

Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, N455 O. Ophus Rd. Coon Valley, 452-3424, norskedalen.org/events/special-events

Christmas crafts, horse-drawn wagon, Norwegian baked goods, Santa, sledding, and more. Regular admission rates apply.

Jingle Bell Brunch

Dec. 8, 9am-12pm

The Cargill Room at The Waterfront, 332 Front St. S., facebook.com/events/399299904082265

Festive buffet, music, children’s parade with Santa, and more. Donate a stuffed animal to local pediatric units. Purchase tickets by Nov 30: $24/adult, $10/ages 3-12.

Old Fashioned Family Christmas Festival

Dec. 8, 12-4pm

Winona County Historical Society, 160 Johnson St., Winona, MN, 507-454-2723, winonahistory.org/to-do.html

New! Historical exhibits as well as Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, hot cocoa bar, and Santa! $5/adult, $3/youth, or $15/family (up to 2 adults and 5 youth).

Jingle Bell Run & Rudolph's Dash

Dec. 14, 8am (5K/5 mile), 10am (kids run)

R.W. Houser Family YMCA, 400 Mason St., Onalaska, 782-9622, facebook.com/events/2731484106891379

Start the holiday season on the move! Warm up after with free breakfast, holiday crafts, and Santa.

Holiday Hullabuloo

Dec. 14, 8:30-10am

Children's Museum of La Crosse, 207 5th Ave. S., 784-2652, funmuseum.org

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, play games, make holiday crafts, more. Registration required: $5/member child, $12/non-member child.

Holiday Markets

Clearwater Farm Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale 

Nov. 29, 1-4pm & Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 10am-2pm

Clearwater Farm, 760 Green Coulee Rd., Onalaska, 780-5682, clearwaterfarm.org

Fraser fir trees, wreaths, and garland. Order by mail, online, or buy onsite.

Kriskindlmarkt

Fridays & Saturdays; Nov. 29–Dec. 14; 4-8pm (Fri.), 10am-8pm (Sat.)

Mueller Square, Sparta, facebook.com/events/2936594293023922

Holiday magic comes to life in this traditional, outdoor, European-style market.

Caledonia Street Holiday Shop Hop

Nov. 30, 9am-3pm

Caledonia Street, La Crosse, facebook.com/events/396522247678882

After shopping local Northside businesses, head to Copeland Park for the tree lighting, food, fun, and fireworks.

Holly Jolly Holiday Walk & Tree Lighting

Nov. 30, 11am-5:30pm

Downtown Coon Valley, facebook.com/events/734613510299639/?active_tab=about

Explore local businesses, vendors, kid-friendly activities, and refreshments. Tree lighting at 5pm near Donna’s Daughters vintage store.

Holiday Market

Dec. 7 & 8,10am-9pm (Sat.), 11am-6pm (Sun.)

Valley View Mall, 3800 WI-16, 781-4700, myvalleyview.com/calendar

Want to be a vendor? Contact Libby Parr at 781-4701.

Stocking Stuffer Sale

Dec. 8, 11am-4pm

Winona Park & Recreation-East Recreation Center, 210 Zumbro St., Winona, MN, facebook.com/events/963173837220106/

The American Legion Riders host local vendors selling holiday-inspired items. 

Christkindlmarkt, a Traditional German Christmas Market

Dec. 14 & 15, 9:30am-3:30pm

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 5250 Justin Rd., guadalupeshrine.org/visit/special__trashed/christkindlmarkt

German brunch buffet, handcrafted items for sale, caroling, live nativity, and more.

Holiday Open House

Dec. 15, 12-4pm

The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection, 230 6th St. S., facebook.com/events/405788246757489/?active_tab=about

Arts & crafts and bake sale, free coffee and hot cider, raffles, and more.

Music & Theater

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

Nov. 22 & 23, 7:30pm

Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front St. S., 796-3000, viterbo.edu

The family gathers for Christmas at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy in this clever and charming sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

Elf The Musical

Dec. 6-22, various times

Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front St. S., 784-9292, webercenterarts.org

La Crosse Community Theatre presents Buddy, a human orphan raised by elves, as he embarks to New York City to find his father. 

Savior of the Nations, Come

Dec. 7 & 8, 7:30pm (Sat), 2pm (Sun)

Viterbo FAC Main Theatre, 929 Jackson St., 796-3000, viterbo.edu

Christmas celebration weaves choir, professional orchestra music, and narration to retell the story of a little child who changed the world forever.

La Crosse Dance Centre’s 30th Annual Nutcracker Ballet

Dec. 13–15, 7:30pm (Fri), 4pm (Sat), 2pm (Sun)

Viterbo FAC Main Theatre, 929 Jackson St., 796-3000, viterbo.edu

Timeless tale of self-discovery for Maria, who receives a Nutcracker doll from her godfather on Christmas Eve.

More Family Fun

Christmas Mountain Display

Nov. 22–January 18, 9am-4:30pm

Monroe County Local History Room and Museum, 200 W. Main St., Sparta, 269-8680, monroecountyhistory.org/exhibandcoll.php

New display features over 100 illuminated miniature buildings depicting the magic of the holidays. 

Toys for Tots FUNdraiser Party

Nov. 26, 5-9pm

High Roller Skating Center of La Crosse, 3624 East Ave. S., 788-7170, highrollerskating.com

$5 donation for entry, includes skates, rollerblades, & the playground.

Historic Hixon House Holiday Showcase 

Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7,8, 12-3pm

Hixon House, 429 7th St. N., lchshistory.org/hixon-house-holidays-1

Enjoy the season in an elegant late Victorian setting featuring live music and seasonal refreshments.

S.T.E.A.M. for the Seasons!

Sundays in Dec., 1-3pm

Children's Museum of La Crosse, 207 5th Ave. S., 784-2652, funmuseum.org

Enjoy holiday-themed crafts and science experiments.

Family Gingerbread House Workshop

Dec. 4, 4:30-6pm

Laura's Baking Delights, 400 Walnut Dr., Holmen, facebook.com/events/492966344786427/

Parents and children design and decorate their own Gingerbread House.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

Dec. 4: Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce (6:40pm), La Crosse Amtrak Station (8:45pm)          

Dec. 8: La Crescent, The Commodore Food and Spirit parking lot (8:15pm)

Dec. 9: Winona, MN Amtrak Station (3:30pm)

cpr.ca/holiday-train/united-states

21st annual journey to end hunger across Canada and the U.S. Musical performance by Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles, and Kelly Prescott upon arrival. Food and monetary donations are encouraged.

Sparta Santa Scamper

Dec. 6, 5:30-7pm

145 N. Water St. Sparta, facebook.com/events/2830288850334921

One mile walk/run event. 100% of proceeds to the Boys & Girls Club and local food pantries. $12.00 registration.

Annual Holiday Parade

Dec. 6, 6pm

Downtown Sparta

Travels from Water St. to Evans Bosshard Park for annual Community Holiday Lighting ceremony. Presented by the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce.

Family Night Movie: The Polar Express

Dec. 13, 6-8pm

La Crescent Fine Arts Center, 1301 Lancer Blvd., La Crescent, MN, facebook.com/events/514719299313191/?active_tab=about

Presented by La Crescent-Hokah Community Education. Concessions for purchase.

Family Christmas Tree Cupcake Workshop

Dec. 18, 4:30-6pm

Laura's Baking Delights, 400 Walnut Dr., Holmen, facebook.com/events/357366894937664 

Use icing, fondant, and modeling chocolate to create a 24 cupcake-dessert fit for a crowd. For kids and parents to create together. $40 per tree.