Old World Wisconsin Welcomes Guests 'Home for the Holidays' This December

Wisconsin’s largest living history attraction transforms into a hot spot for holiday fun

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MADISON, Wis. – Come “Home for the Holidays” at Old World Wisconsin on two magical weekends this December. On Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15, the state’s largest living history attraction will delight guests with favorite holiday customs from early immigrants, all showcased in an authentic 1800s setting! New this year is the Krampus Cabin, where the storied Austrian holiday trickster will reside. Also returning is the 12-foot tall straw Julbock (Yule Goat), a Scandinavian Christmas tradition and a favorite photo opportunity!

During “Home for the Holidays,” Old World Wisconsin’s Crossroads Village transforms into a festive wonderland. Garland-draped buildings and sleighbell-jingling, horse drawn wagons create an old-fashioned holiday ambiance. Guests can visit Santa’s workshop to meet a Victorian-dressed St. Nick or head to the Finnish Farm to search for Jultomte among the live goats. Food-inspired activities abound, from learning how to make challah to collecting traditional holiday recipes. The popular crafting tent is a hub of activity, where guests can create their own nature-inspired holiday décor.

Original buildings highlight historical themes, and guests can explore a Christmas morning Victorian-era Cobweb Party, an Irish Christmas Eve, a Yankee New Year’s Day celebration and a Last Night of Hanukkah re-creation, along with stepping into the original St. Peter’s Church for live violin music. Special outdoor activities include the British tradition of wassailing (singing) around the apple tree and joining the Swedish St. Lucia procession.

For those seeking refreshments, food and beverage treats can be found in Caldwell Hall and the Creamery. Selections include hot chocolate, wassail and a new spiced holiday amber lager from Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company.

Historic shopping options are available in the old General Store, and the Ramsey Barn features favorite holiday gift ideas. Additionally, collectors can look for the new Raspberry School wooden replica, which has been added to the 2024 collection of Old World Wisconsin buildings created by Cat’s Meow. As an added treat the first 50 children to visit Krampus Cabin each day will receive a free set of Krampus horns.

“Home for the Holidays” is sponsored by the Old World Foundation. During the weekend of Dec. 7 and 8, the Old World Foundation and Old World Wisconsin will partner with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Healthy Community Networks in Palmyra to collect food and donations.

Admission to the event is $24 for adults and teens, $22 for seniors (65+), $18 for children (five to 12) and free for children under five. Society members receive a 10% discount for this event.

Advance registration is required, please click here to purchase tickets or go to oldworldwisconsin.org.

For information, visit oldworldwisconsin.org.

About Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Rated as one of the top attractions to take kids in the Milwaukee area, Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre regional history attraction that features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19th-and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. The museum offers guests family-friendly, hands-on activities as they visit crossroads village and eight working farmsteads, explore heirloom gardens, experience beer brewing traditions, meet heritage animal breeds and try historic crafts and skills. Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin, within daytrip distance of Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison. For more information and a list of upcoming events visit oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6301. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to this site during regular operating hours.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.