The holiday season has a way of sneaking up on us. And while it’s perfectly acceptable to get it all done by shopping online, there’s a more magical way to select the perfect gift for everyone on your list: Christkindl markets. This year, the Madison area is offering more than ever before with an entire season’s worth of markets running for four straight weekends in three different communities.
If you’ve never been to a Christkindl market, you’ll love the entire experience: savoring treats reserved just for the holidays, making memories with family and friends, and meeting the local makers from our arts and culture scene who curate their collections just for the occasion.
These markets are so special, they’ve made our list of Don’t Miss Event Weekends. Plan now to experience holiday magic throughout the entire month by visiting Christkindl markets in Paoli, New Glarus and Verona. Each celebration carries its own one-of-a-kind, special vibe, so you can choose one that fits your shopping personality—or plan to attend them all!
Jump around to start planning your Christkindl getaway:
Paoli: Four Weekends of Holiday Magic
Paoli already has a “step back in time” quality with all the adorable buildings surrounding its stone-clad mill, so it’s no wonder that the small rural hamlet truly comes alive during the holiday season.
This year, don’t miss the town’s Four Weekends of Holiday Magic, with a bevy of activities set along the Sugar River. You’ll get a chance to shop goods made by local merchants, all housed within eight hand-built European-style chalets, just like the ones in the original Christkindl markets in Germany. The vendors switch out every weekend, which means more gifting options for you to explore.
Kiddos can meet Santa Claus amid twinkling fairy lights, and you’ll love savoring specialty comfort foods, like the “raclette dogs” crafted by Landmark Creamery.
Now known as “Wisconsin’s Christmas Village,” every wintry weekend in Paoli will include its own special diversions, including a tree lighting and wine walk to kick things off. Plus, its Cookie Crawl, Reindeer Scavenger Hunt and visits with Santa make it a full-on, family-friendly experience.
Know Before You Go
- Dates:
- Weekend 1: Friday, Nov. 27–Sunday, Nov. 29
- Weekend 2: Friday, Dec. 4–Sunday, Dec. 6
- Weekend 3: Friday, Dec. 11–Sunday, Dec. 13
- Weekend 4: Friday, Dec. 18–Sunday, Dec. 20
- Time: Fridays: 4–8 p.m. | Saturdays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Sundays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Location: The entire town of Paoli
- Cost: Free
- Parking and transportation: Be sure to watch the website for additional information on shuttles and parking options. Carpooling and ridesharing are always encouraged.
- Restaurants and hotels: Seven Acre Dairy Company is a popular local draw for good reason. Their Little Cloud restaurant, housed in a former dairy factory, is famed for its cheesy, stick-to-your-ribs favorites, like cheese curds and the Landmark cheeseboard. Here, you’ll also find The Inn at Seven Acre, a charming boutique hotel outfitted with eight suites. In Belleville, there’s the Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn, an award-winning B&B where you can take in stunning wintry scenery.
New Glarus: Christkindli Market
It seems fitting that New Glarus, with all of its Swiss-inspired buildings that nod to the town’s heritage and European charms, hosts an annual Christkindli Market and this year will be their sixth!
Held in and around downtown New Glarus, this outdoor market is always brimming with lovingly made local wares, showcased in mini chalets. Santa will make an appearance, and you and your family will even get the chance to ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. Stroll the streets with snacks in hand, provided by food trucks and local restaurants. Holiday lights, music, carolers and real reindeer complete the enchanted scene.
And don’t miss craft beer from New Glarus Brewing Company. You can even have the beer heated up thanks to the German tradition of Bierstacheln, when the beer is warmed with the help of a hot metal rod.
P.S. This event is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends to join the fun!
Know Before You Go
- Dates/Times:
- Friday, Dec. 4: 3–7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 5: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 6: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Location: Downtown New Glarus
- Cost: Free
- Parking and transportation: Street parking. A limited number of handicap spots are available near Hutch + Hide at the corner of 1st Street and 6th Avenue.
- Restaurants and hotels: New Glarus’ beautifully appointed Canter Inn is housed in a 1902 Queen Anne Victorian home and presents mouthwatering fare, like the American Wagyu Bistro Steak and Sour Cherry Chiffon Cake. For a true Swiss experience, look no further than the delightful Chalet Landhaus Inn for an overnight stay.
Verona: Christkindl Market
Round out the season by heading to Verona, where a familiar Christkindl Market experience can be found in a new location: Century School Park. This popular park in the heart of downtown Verona will be transformed into a wonderland where holiday lights twinkle, live reindeer pay a visit, and Hann’s Christmas Farm showcases beautiful fir trees to take home for the holidays. Also, don’t miss the food trucks, traditional mulled wine and an extensive maker market that takes place in a heated tent and handmade chalets that make for the cutest small-scale Christmas shops. The ambiance adds up to feeling like you’re stepping into a "Hallmark movie set” complete with the chance to snap a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
This year’s festivities will also include ice skating at Verona’s newly unveiled rink! Skating under twinkling lights while holiday music plays and stopping for sips of hot cocoa in a commemorative mug are all part of the experience and included with your ticket purchase.
Know Before You Go
- Dates and times:
- Friday, Dec. 11: 3–7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 12: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (VIP Hour: 9–10 a.m.)
- Sunday, Dec. 13: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Location: Century School Park (309 West Verona Ave., Verona)
- Cost: General admission: $7 (plus tax/fees); Early Entry VIP: $35 (plus taxes/fees)
- Parking and transportation: Park in a Verona parking lot, or make everything easier by taking a ride on the holiday trolley through town.
- Restaurants and hotels: Visit the newly opened Ian’s Pizza to warm up with a slice of mac ‘n cheese pizza, or head to the stylish Orchard for farm-to-table eats and craft cocktails. Accommodations include the Holiday Inn Express Verona and Hyatt Place Verona.
Related Events
There are so many ways to make a magical weekend out of experiencing these Christkindlmarkets. In Paoli, they’ll celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 28. And you can fill your stay with even more comfort food by going to Seven Acre Dairy Company’s Roth Cheese Fondue Night, taking place Thursday nights through December 17.
During the whole month of December, New Glarus will be presenting its annual Adventsfenster, when a life-sized advent calendar can be found throughout the village.
And, as part of the Christkindlmarket in Verona, don’t miss the Holiday Tree Ceremony where the tree will be lit on Friday, December 11 at 6 p.m. For even more holiday magic in Verona, check out the Hometown Holidays Kick-Off event with ice skating, a tree lighting, trolley rides and more.
