Shine on Madison
Shine on Madison Lighting Ceremony
Head downtown for a seasonal lighting ceremony at Lisa Link Peace Park (452 State St) on November 21! This fun event is the perfect pre-Thanksgiving activity for the whole family. Join us as we turn on on all our lighting décor on State St., the Capitol Square and King St. Event runs 4-6pm with our lighting ceremony taking place at 5pm!
The event will include:
- Free hot chocolate and cookies (while supplies last)
- A special visit by Santa
- S’Mores Lounge
Downtown Madison Holiday Open House
November 27-29
State St, King St, Capitol Square
Holiday activities including shopping specials from downtown businesses, visits with Santa, special performances from Kids in the Rotunda, and more.
Santa on State
Bring the whole family downtown on select dates to share in the magic of the season with the big man himself. FREE Santa visits at Santa’s pop-up workshop at 127 State St.
- Fri. 11/27, 12-3pm
- Sat, 11/28, 2-4pm
- Sat. 12/5, 3-6pm
- Sat. 12/12, 3-6pm
- Sun. 12/13 3-6pm
- Sat. 12/19 3-6pm
Downtown Madison Hot Cocoa and Cookie Walk
From 1-4pm, enjoy hot cocoa with marshmallows, cookie samples, and cookie decorating demonstrations at participating businesses in the district. Participating businesses will offer a sale, special or featured item.
Tickets are on sale now.
Seasonal Light Displays
Explore downtown to see all of the displays including the snowflake lights, King Street tree wraps, The Capitol Corners. The Festive Forum, The Northern Lights Plaza at Frances St., Peace Park, and the Menorah and Kinara on E. Washington Ave.
Downtown Madison Holiday Carolers
Enjoy festive caroling by local musical groups! Groups will begin at Peace Park and stroll through downtown!
Sat. 12/5
11am-1pm – The Capitol Chordsmen
1pm-3pm – Madison Youth Choirs
Sat. 12/12
11am-1pm – Tangled Up In Blue
1pm-3pm –The Ambulatones
Sat. 12/19
11am-1pm – Stoughton Madrigal Singers
1pm-3pm – Philharmonic Chorus of Madison
Reach Dane Giving Forest
Reach Dane’s Giving Tree program encourages charitable contributions of toys and books to children in need in Dane County. Ornaments containing wish lists for specific children are placed on holiday trees inside BID businesses, and shoppers can choose an ornament to fulfill a child’s wishlist while they do the rest of their holiday shopping downtown. They can buy & drop the gifts at any participating location in the BID.
November 28 – December 24
Retail Window Decorating Passport
Visitors will search participating windows for a hidden figure and go inside to get a passport stamp from the business when found. Completed passports can be returned to the Visitors Center & entered into a raffle.
November 21 – December 24
Check back for a list of participating businesses.