The Overture Center for the Art's holiday display of red and green lights.
Hark! The Holiday Happy Hour
Ring in the start of the holiday season at The Tinsmith with light appetizers, live music and cocktails. The Salvation Army of Dane County will be there accepting donations from the community. Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m., The Tinsmith, event information here
Brew Lights at Henry Vilas Zoo
Brew Lights at Henry Vilas Zoo is a “one night only” 21+ event where guests can enjoy the light display while tasting beers and ciders from regional breweries, including Karben4 Brewing, Delta Beer Lab and New Glarus Brewing. The Zoo Lights are open to all ages every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. Dec. 1, 6:30-9 p.m., Henry Vilas Zoo, henryvilaszoo.gov/home/lights/
All is Calm
“All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” tells the touching true story of Christmas on the Western Front in World War I where Allied and German soldiers laid down arms to peacefully celebrate the holiday with songs, soccer and shared meals. The touring musical was written and conceived by Peter Rothstein, a graduate of the UW-Madison Department of Theatre & Drama. Dec. 1-11, matinee and evening shows, Overture Center for the Arts, event information here
Holiday Glow on Monroe
Monroe Street celebrates the start of the holiday season. Enjoy live music from the Madison Savoyards and Eric De Los Santos, special deals from Monroe Street businesses, happy hours and family activities. Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m., Monroe Street, monroestreetmadison.com/holiday-glow-on-monroe
Madison’s 26th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival
The Madison Fair Trade Holiday Festival offers hundreds of “unique, socially responsible, handmade gifts” from over 40 vendors. All items, including clothing, jewelry, decor and more, are ethically and humanely produced and sold. Dec. 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, fairtrademadison.org/
Hoofers Annual Ski & Snowboard Resale
The Wisconsin Hoofers present the “largest ski swap in the Midwest.” Shop for great deals on new and used downhill and cross-country skis, snowboards, apparel and more. Hoofers Alpine and Nordic Teams will also offer waxing and sharpening services, with proceeds directly benefitting the teams. Dec. 3: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 4: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Union South’s Varsity Hall, hoofersns.org/resale
The Crafty Fair 2022
The Crafty Fair highlights “indie crafters as well as traditional crafters who specialize in handmade goods” with gifts from vendors of all art mediums and all price ranges. Dec. 3: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 4: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Goodman Community Center, thecraftyfair.com/
Run Santa Run 5K
The Run Santa Run 5K is an annual, holiday tradition in Madison. The race is open to all ages, and registration includes a character t-shirt and accessories, free coffee and hot chocolate and treats throughout the race. A post-race “North Pole Party” will take place at Delta Beer Lab. Dec. 4, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Capitol Square, runsantarun5k.com/
Agrace Vinyl Record Pop-Up Shop
Agrace’s Thrift Store will be selling the personal vinyl collection of Jim Kirchstein, founder of Cuca Records – an independent record label in Madison that flourished in the 60s. All records are $2 and will include a wide variety of genres. Proceeds from the sale will go toward Agrace’s grief support services across southern Wisconsin. Dec. 4-10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1922 Stoughton Rd., event information here
Holiday Teas at the Statehouse
Join the Statehouse restaurant at the Edgewater Hotel for a traditional English-style tea time, paired with pastries, desserts and holiday tunes. Tickets are required, and seatings are available at 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m. Dec. 4 & 11, The Statehouse at the Edgewater Hotel, theedgewater.com/events/
Maggie Ginsberg in Conversation with Christina Clancy
Madison Magazine’s own Maggie Ginsberg talks with fellow local author Christina Clancy about her debut book, “Still True,” at local bookstore and bar, Leopold’s. Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Leopold’s Book Bar Caffé, leopoldsmadison.com/events.html#/
Straight No Chaser
The enduring a capella group stops in Madison as a part of their 25th-anniversary celebration tour. The nine-men group sings both covers and original tracks. Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., Overture Center for the Arts, overture.org/tickets-events/2022-23-season/straight-no-chaser/
The Polar Express Trolley
The Polar Express Trolley will start in Verona and depart to the “North Pole” (Hann’s Christmas Farm in Oregon) where families can enjoy hot cider, popcorn and a visit with Santa. Trolleys will depart every half hour. Dec. 7, 4 to 9 p.m., W Railroad St, Verona, business.veronawi.com/events/details/the-polar-express-3904
Exhibition Celebration & Reception for Wendy Red Star: Apsáalooke: Children of the Large-Beaked Bird
The Madison Contemporary Museum of Art celebrates its current exhibit: Apsáalooke: Children of the Large-Beaked Bird. The reception will include a virtual welcome from Wendy Red Star and a live performance by the Wisconsin Dells Singers. Dec. 9, 5 to 8 p.m., Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, mmoca.org/events/wendy-red-star-exhibition-celebration/
Madison Music Foundry Student Showcase
Madison Music Foundry is a local music school providing a “professional yet comfortable atmosphere for musicians to learn, rehearse and record music.” Students will take the stage in this free concert. Dec. 10, 11 a.m., High Noon Saloon, high-noon.com/event/madison-music-foundry-student-showcase-4/
UW Horn Choir Concert & Play Reading
The Chazen Museum of Art’s lobby will host the UW Horn Choir in a concert with a variety of songs. Tickets are required. Following the concert, the Chazen will also be presenting a reading of Forward Theater’s play: “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Dec. 10, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., Chazen Museum of Art, chazen.wisc.edu/events/
Nitty Gritty Ugly Sweater Holiday Party
Join the Nitty Gritty for its annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party featuring holiday giveaways and festive drink specials, such as Christmas cookies and peppermint stick shots. Wearing an ugly holiday sweater gets you a free drink. Dec. 10, 3 p.m., all Nitty Gritty locations, event information here
Jingle Paws: A Hallbark Holiday Village
The Wisconsin Community Veterinary Center and Shelter From the Storm Animal Rescue host a holiday event for families and their four-legged friends. Activities include a bake sale, snowman building contest, paw print ornament making, face painting and more. An online silent auction is available now through Dec. 5, and prizes will be claimed at the event. Dec. 10, 3 to 7 p.m., Wisconsin Community Veterinary Center, event information here
Camp Wisco
The first-ever Camp Wisco celebrates “all things ‘Sconsin” with live music, catered food and drinks, local vendors, a photo booth and more. Guests can partake in Wisconsin activities such as a brat-eating competition and a euchre tournament. A portion of the proceeds will go to the environmental non-profit Clean Wisconsin. Dec. 10, 4 p.m., The Sylvee, thesylvee.com/events/camp-wisco/
Steely Dane “Holidane” Show
Local band and former Best of Madison Cover Band winner, Steely Dane unites 18 Madison-area musicians to perform the Steely Dan and Donald Fagen songbook. The group presents its 12th annual holiday show with all the classic hits. Dec. 10, 8 p.m., The Majestic, majesticmadison.com/event/steely-dane-holidane-show-2/
Brunch with Santa
Sugar River Pizza Company will be hosting a “Pizza for Brunch” with special guest Santa Clause. Adults can enjoy bloody marys and mimosas, and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sugar River Pizza Company, event information here
A Christmas Carol
Dickens’ holiday classic gets a makeover in Charlotte Martin’s adaptation of the timeless Christmas tale. Dec. 10-23, matinee and evening shows, Overture Center for the Arts, overture.org/tickets-events/2022-23-season/children-s-theater-of-madison-a-christmas-carol/
Brew ‘n’ View: Elf
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by watching ELF at the Majestic while drinking beer!” Join the Majestic Theater in a special viewing of the hilarious holiday classic. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., The Majestic, majesticmadison.com/event/brew-n-view-elf/
Glitz: A Very Mariah Carey Christmas Drag and Dance Party
This 18+ event celebrates the holiday music of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston with live drag performances. Entry is $10. Dec. 16, 9 p.m., The Majestic, majesticmadison.com/event/glitz-a-very-mariah-carey-christmas-drag-and-dance-party/
The Nutcracker
The classic holiday tale returns to the Overture Center. Madison Ballet takes the stage accompanied by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra for a magical performance. Dec. 16-24, matinee and evenings shows, Overture Center for the Arts, overture.org/tickets-events/2022-23-season/madison-ballet-the-nutcracker/
Community Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Join the Jewish Federation of Madison during the eight nights of Hanukkah for a candle-lighting ceremony and different blessings each night. Dec. 18-25, 6:30 p.m., online, event information here
Evening on the Ice
Monona Bank and Monona Parks & Recreation present an Evening on the Ice, free for the whole family. Skate rentals are provided, and guests can enjoy s’mores kits and hot chocolate in between laps on the rink. Dec. 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Monona Bank RiverRink, event information here
Winter Solstice 20th Anniversary Celebration
Join the Friends of Starkweather Creek for a night of hot chocolate, singing, ice lanterns and a bonfire to celebrate the shortest day of the year. The bonfire starts at 4:30 p.m., but guests are encouraged to come early with friends and neighbors.
Dec. 21, 4:30 p.m., Olbrich Park, event information here
Yid Vicious Hanukkah Concert
Madison’s “locally-grown” klezmer band performs a family concert at the Children’s Museum. Dec. 22, 2 to 2:45 p.m., Madison Children’s Museum, madisonchildrensmuseum.org/event/yid-vicious-hanukkah-concert-2/
Best of the Midwest at Comedy on State
Comedy on State presents its Best of the Midwest comedy showcase, “a handpicked selection of both established and up-and-coming comics from around the region.” Dec. 22: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 23: 7:30, 10 p.m., Comedy on State, madisoncomedy.com/event/decbomw/2022-12-22/
New Year’s Eve Night Walk
UW Arboretum offers a free, naturalist-led night walk to ring in the New Year. Sturdy shoes and warm layers are recommended and pre-registration is required. Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m., The UW Arboretum, arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/
Gimme Gimme Disco
Wear your best disco attire and head to the Sylvee for a “dance party inspired by ABBA.” The touring DJ-based disco plays all of ABBA’s hits and other 70s and 80s favorites to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Dec. 31, 8 p.m., The Sylvee, thesylvee.com/events/gimme-gimme-disco/
Abby Bradbury is an editorial intern at Madison Magazine.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY MADISON MAGAZINE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
