Holiday shopping season is kicking off and the retailers in Walworth County invite you to a variety of open house events and other activities for a festive experience you only find when you shop small.
Grab your besties and enjoy a leisurely walk down the streets in our communities. Visitors and locals alike are drawn to the vibe and character of all that is offered in our small towns. From tastings, demos, samples and special events, priceless memories are waiting to be made.
Check out the lists below of all you need to make your holiday bright while you shop WalCo.
Featured WalCo Shopping Activities
Nov through Dec 10
Christmas at the Apple Barn Orchard & Winery
Holiday shopping local artisan and crafter products, holiday wines, apples, apple cider and more.
Nov 8
Oh What Fun on the West End, Fontana, Walworth, Williams Bay, 3 pm
Holiday open houses in multiple businesses, Extended Hours, Raffles and promotions followed by drink specials
Holiday Open House, Gordy’s Pro Shop, Fontana, 1-8 pm
Fri-Sun, Nov 10-12
Christmas Open House, Bella Botanica, Lake Geneva, 10 am-4 pm
Gifts, decor, fresh wreaths
Sat, Nov 11
Angelus Home & Garden Holiday Open House, Walworth, 10 am-5 pm
Music, refreshments, giveaways, drawings and horse drawn carriage rides
Christmas on the Farm (Quilt Show), The Gingham Farm, Whitewater, 11 am
Sat-Sun, Nov 11-12
Holiday Open House, Downtown Lake Geneva, 10 am
Exclusive offers, swag and giveaways with incredible promotions
Thurs, Nov 16
Geneva Street Sip & Shop, Williams Bay, 5-8 pm
Tips, champagne tasting, music, specials
Sat, Nov 18
Holiday Market, Trinity Church, Genoa City, 9 am-2 pm
Over 30 businesses, free admission and parking
Holiday Wine Walk, Delavan, 3:30-7:30 pm
12 tasting locations to sip, stroll and shop, ugly sweaters encouraged
Fri-Sun, Nov 24-26
Light Up Lake Geneva & Shop Small Weekend, Downtown Lake Geneva
Promotions all weekend, tree lighting with Santa, ornament crafting, refreshments, and voting for favorite holiday storefront
Sat, Nov 25
Whitewater Shop Small Holiday Market, 10 am- 2 pm
Vendor market, live music, workshop and play area, food trucks, Santa meet & greet, carriage rides
Fri, Dec 1
Sharon’s Old-Fashioned Christmas, 5-9 pm
Vendors, Santa’s Village, carriage rides, balloon artist, live music, drawings, horse-drawn lighted parade
Fri-Sat, Dec 1-2
Christmas Market at The Barn, Terra Yard Creations, Elkhorn, Fri 4-8pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Rustic home and gift barn, live music, food truck, makers, artisans, crafters and junkers
Duesterbeck’s Christmas Market, Elkhorn, Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Over 40 vendors, Food trucks on site
Sat, Dec 2
Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair, Badger High School Sports Center, Lake Geneva, 9 am- 2 pm
Breakfast with Santa, over 50 vendors and crafters
Christmas in the Woods Craft Fair, Woods Elementary School, Lake Geneva, 9 am- 3 pm
Over 60 crafters and vendors from around the Midwest, raffles, Santa visits from 11-1
Sun, Dec 3
Holiday Market, Hawk’s View Golf Club, Lake Geneva, 9 am- 2 pm
Crafts and delicious food, free admission and parking
Sat, Dec 9
East Troy Resource Center Holiday Craft Fair, East Troy High School, 9 am
Home party and craft fair, silent auction, over 70 vendors, breakfast and lunch for sale, drawings
Delavan Dasher Days, 11 am-6 pm
Stocking stuffer deals, caroling, window decorating contest, Santa
Humble Oak Folk School Fall Sale & Humble Oak Outdoor Learning & Arts Collective, Honey Creek Collective, 10 am- 3 pm
Specialty fair featuring work from local artists & craftspeople, goods from local farms, made to order crepes, and take and bake pot pies! Plus, a silent auction, a kids craft table, and a bake sale.
Sat, Dec 16
Delavan Dasher Days, 11 am-6 pm
Stocking stuffer deals, caroling, window decorating contest, Santa
Featured Holiday Events
Combine your shopping with holiday events for a truly remarkable experience in WalCo.
Sat, Nov 18- Fri, Jan 1
Parade of Trees, Geneva Lake Museum, Lake Geneva
Sun, Nov 19
29th Annual Illumination Ceremony, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva,
activities at 4:30 pm, illumination and fireworks at, 6 pm
Kick off to six-week Christmas in the Country celebration, flip the switch on more than two million lights followed by fireworks, Gingerbread house walk, kids activities, photos with Santa, cookies and hot apple cider
Fri, Nov 24-Sat, Dec 30
Santa Cruise, Pier 290, Williams Bay
Tickets required for heated Christmas cruise with visit from Santa at his lakeside hideaway. Adult only cruise available. Karoake cruise available.
Fri, Nov 24
Delavan Christmas Tree Lighting, 5:30 pm
Fontana Tree Lighting, 3-6 pm
Horse drawn wagon rides, Santa, hot cocoa and apple cider
Sat-Sun, Nov 25-26
Christmas Trains, East Troy Electric Railroad
Travel in a heated trolley from the East Troy depot to Santa’s workshop at the Elegant Farmer.
Fri-Sun, Dec 1-3
Elkhorn Let It Glow, Fri 6-9 pm, Sat 5-8 pm, Sun 5-7 pm
Balsam Blvd, light displays, Santa and more
Fri-Sun, Dec 1-17
World’s Tallest Glass Tree, Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, Fri 4-7, Sat 12-7, Sun 12-5
Make reservations to see live glassblowing, steel sculpting and woodworking, local artisans, craftspeople, tours
Fri, Dec 1
Parade of Lights, Whitewater, 6 pm
Activities in downtown Whitewater before and after the parade starting at 4 pm
Sat, Dec 2
Annual Christmas Card Town Parade, Elkhorn, 1:30
Floats, novelty acts, music, animals and Santa and Mrs. Claus
Annual Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade, 5 pm
Colorful, light-filled parade through downtown
Santa on the Square & Santa Parade Train, East Troy, 5:30 pm
Concessions & merch stand, s’mores station, DIY photo station, entertainment, carolers and tree lighting
Sat-Sun, Nov 25-26
Christmas Trains, East Troy Electric Railroad
Travel in a heated trolley from the East Troy depot to Santa’s workshop at the Elegant Farmer.
Sun, Dec 3-Sun, Dec 31
East Troy Lights, light shows on the hour 5-8 pm
Musical performances every Fri and Sat or grab a wand to take controls of the lights and help make the magic.
Sat-Sun, Dec 2-3
Christmas Trains, East Troy Electric Railroad
Travel in a heated trolley from the East Troy depot to Santa’s workshop at the Elegant Farmer.
Sat-Sun, Dec 9-10
Christmas Trains, East Troy Electric Railroad
Travel in a heated trolley from the East Troy depot to Santa’s workshop at the Elegant Farmer.
Sat, Dec 16
East Troy Lights Community Showcase & Santa Tours, 5 pm
Spectacular light show, student shows, Santa, caroling, crafters, Ninja warrior course, hot chocolate station
Sat-Sun, Dec 16-17
Christmas Trains, East Troy Electric Railroad
Travel in a heated trolley from the East Troy depot to Santa’s workshop at the Elegant Farmer.
Each WalCo community offers its own unique stores with an endless number of artisan goods, art, food, and more, often inspired the natural scenery and eclectic mix of people. We welcome you this holiday season and encourage you to learn more about each community’s great shopping options on our website.