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· Lakes

Wisconsin Dells Holiday Season 2026: Thanksgiving to New Year’s

In winter, Wisconsin Dells moves indoors to its waterpark resorts, but the downtown River Walk still has one of the area’s biggest light displays. This page covers the events we could confirm on the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau’s event pages, read on October 30, 2026. Where a 2026 detail is not published, we say so. Shortlist cabins and homes on Wisconsin Dells rentals, then book on the property site. For family planning, see the Wisconsin Dells family guide.

Quick answer

The downtown Tree of Light starts on Thursday, December 3, 2026, and is lit daily from 4:30 to 11 p.m. It is free. The CPKC Holiday Train stops at the Wisconsin Dells Amtrak depot on Thursday, December 10, with the train due at 2:30 p.m. Mt. Olympus has Santa on Saturdays from November 28 to December 19 and a family New Year’s Eve party. The Tree of Light page did not show an end date when we checked.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Many rentals set their own minimum stay for these nights, and it can differ from the rest of the season. Read the minimum for your exact dates on the booking site, not the general winter rule.

Tree of Light downtown

The visitor bureau’s Tree of Light page lists a 55-foot silver maple off the River Walk lit with 65,000 lights, plus 80 more decorated trees along the River Walk. It lists Thursday, December 3, 2026, as the start, daily from 4:30 to 11 p.m., at the 100 block of Broadway. Admission is free. The page did not show a last night, so check it before a late-season trip.

CPKC Holiday Train (December 10)

The bureau’s Holiday Train page lists Thursday, December 10, 2026, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Dells Amtrak depot, 100 La Crosse Street. The train arrives at 2:30 p.m., with a live performance from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. There are also wagon rides, food and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. It is free, and the page asks for non-perishable food for the local food pantry.

Santa at Mt. Olympus

The bureau’s Santa page lists Saturdays from November 28 to December 19, 2026, 6 to 8 p.m., at Mt. Olympus’s indoor theme park, with milk and cookies. It is free for Mt. Olympus Resort guests. Other visitors need a daily pass.

Family New Year’s Eve

The bureau’s New Year’s Eve page lists a family New Year’s Eve party at Mt. Olympus from 8 p.m. on December 31, 2026, to 1 a.m., with music, dancing and a midnight countdown. The same guest and day-pass rule applies.

What to confirm before you pay

FAQ

When does the Tree of Light start in 2026?

Thursday, December 3, 2026. It is lit daily from 4:30 to 11 p.m., and admission is free.

When does the Holiday Train stop in Wisconsin Dells?

Thursday, December 10, 2026, at the Amtrak depot. The event runs 1 to 4:30 p.m., and the train arrives at 2:30 p.m.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then finish on the site linked from the listing.

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Sources

Things to do · Winter packing · Family guide · Rental tips · New Year’s lake weekends