19^th-Century Santa’s Workshop

Wheelman’s Club | All Day (excluding a 30 minute lunch break)

Visit with an old-fashioned version of Santa Claus donned in regal furs. Enjoy a hearty welcome from rosy-cheeked St. Nicholas as he invites you into his toy workshop full of gifts, good cheer and festive holiday fun. Watch his merry team building toys for good girls and boys and drop your letter to Santa in his mail basket.
Santa’s Workshop is sponsored by Waukesha State Bank

Yankee Christmas Morning

1870s Yankee Home

Visit a Victorian-era home preparing for a Christmas dinner celebration. Plans include a Cobweb Party where guests must follow colored strings wound through the home to find a small gift or the name of the person who will be their dinner companion. Along the way, they must artfully maneuver around the strings, and one another, in this 1800s holiday game.   

Yankee New Year’s Party

1880s Yankee Farm 

Preparations are underway to ring in the New Year in grand style, including a lavish display of traditional food and drink.  Learn about long-forgotten customs such as collecting signatures in autograph books and the secret language of fans – used to skirt the strict social rules of the day.

Irish Christmas Eve

1880s Irish Home

This humble home welcomes you to its cozy environs with candlelit windows, a treasured Nativity scene and preparations for a simple meal before a traditional Catholic Midnight Mass.  

St. Nicholas Eve

1880s Shoe Shop

The children’s shoes are laid out in excited anticipation of a visit from St. Nick. Part of Czech tradition, all good girls and boys hope the saint will visit and fill their shoes with a gift of fruit, candy or other small present.  

Last Night of Hanukkah

1870s Four Mile House

Experience Jewish traditions, including the preparation of challah, a rich bread served at special occasions and holidays, lighting of the menorah candles, and the spinning top dreidel game
Last Night of Hanukkah is sponsored by the Segal Family Foundation.

Christmas Program

1880s St. Peter’s Church | 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, Noon, 1:30 pm, and 2 pm

Relax and listen to live, traditional holiday music played on violin and enjoy a traditional Advent display.  

1930s Community Christmas Party

1900s Caldwell Farmers’ Club Hall | 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, Noon, 1:30 pm, and 2 pm 

There’s lots of good cheer to be had in Caldwell Hall this holiday, decked out in traditional 1930s decor. Join in the festive fun, including sing-a-long carols and readings from On the Banks of Plum Creek and Little Women.

St. Lucia Celebration and Procession

1910s Finnish Farm | Procession begins 2:30 pm; ends at Ramsey Barn

Learn about the Festival of St. Lucia, also known as the “Festival of Lights”, a tradition that draws on Finnish and other Scandinavian traditions when you visit the 1910s Finnish Farm. At 2:30 p.m., enjoy the perfect close to your day at Old World Wisconsin when St. Lucia, a young woman dressed in long, white robes with a red sash and a candlelit wreath crown, will lead the procession with festive songs and gifts from the Finnish Farm to Ramsey Barn.   

Holiday Wagon Rides

Harmony Town Hall | Additional Cost, limited capacity; based on first-come, first-served basis, last ride at 2 pm

A scenic winter sightseeing ride unlike any other in the tranquil beauty of the Kettle Moraine. Settle into a horse-drawn wagon, listen to the jingling sleigh bells and relax on an unforgettable trip straight out of a storybook.  

Children’s Story Time 

Utica Stable | Every 30 minutes, beginning at 10:30 am, last story at 2 pm

Gather ‘round the fire in an 1880s horse stable for timed readings of traditional children’s favorites. Grown-ups will enjoy this opportunity to enjoy cozy story time as well, with time-honored tales such as The Nutcracker and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.  

Jultomte 

1910 Finnish Immigrant Farm

Meet this friendly forest gnome and live goats – part of Scandinavian Christmas tradition. This mythological creature from Nordic folklore was reputed to live in the houses and barns of a farmstead, protecting the family and animals. Today, Jultomte is celebrated as Sweden’s Father Christmas, visiting houses in the afternoon on Christmas Eve to give presents to all good girls and boys.     

Makerspace: Keepsake Holiday Ornament*

1880s Shoe Shop

Looking to take home something unique to remember your visit to Home For The Holidays? Visit the Town Hall and make a handcrafted, keepsake leather ornament. 

Holiday Craft Tent* 

Crossroads Village Grove

The cozy and heated craft tent offers holiday fun for the entire family. Activities include making a Victorian paper ornament or seasonal nature decor. Kids, or kids at heart, can also write a letter to Santa and deliver it to his workshop located at the Wheelman’s Club. It’s also the perfect place to relax with hot cocoa and cookies from the Four Mile Inn.  

Blacksmith’s Winter Work*

1880s Blacksmith Shop

Watch sparks fly and steam rise as you experience the artisan process of Old World blacksmithing. Learn about the tools and other items crafted by blacksmiths during the winter season, including ice harvesting tools and even ice skates!     

Catch a Glimpse of Krampus

Keep an eye out for the infamous 19^th-century trickster as he sneaks through the Crossroads Village. This German/Austrian character, celebrated especially in the Alps, visits children alongside St. Nicholas. How will you know you’ve spied him? Look for a furry, horned creature and the sound of tinkling bells that will give him away!     

Recipe Cards

Our gift to you and an activity for the entire family! Make sure to pick up your complimentary recipe cards featuring traditional holiday baked goods at our historic homes. Show off your culinary talents when you snap a pic and tag us at #ExploreWisconsinHistory and #OldWorldWisconsin.   

Winter Cheer Garden

Clausing Barn

Relax and enjoy food and good cheer in the cozy Clausing Barn, transformed into our Winter Cheer Garden. The Cheer Garden offers seasonal craft beers, hot cocoa and wassial.

Crossroads Christmas Shoppe

The Creamery

The Creamery transforms for the holidays! Enjoy Kringle, holiday treats and delicious wassail, a hot, mulled punch guaranteed to take away the winter chill. 

Treats at the Taproom*

Four Mile Inn

Stop in for a sweet holiday treat! Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies in the Inn’s cozy tap room.

Ramsey Barn Museum Store

1890s Ramsey Barn

Shop our museum store for a wide range of unique gifts that are guaranteed to make your holidays historic. Whether you’re looking for your favorite foodie, fashionista, game-lover, reader, kid – or kid at heart, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind present that’s sure to please. 

Crossroads Christmas Shoppe

The Creamery

Grab a cup of cheer and browse our holiday pop-up boutique for items like soaps, holiday ornaments, our new Cat’s Meow Old World Wisconsin Christmas Village, apparel and more. Don’t forget to stop by Krampus Kave for exclusive merchandise!

Historic Holidays*

1880s General Store

Step into an 1880s general store showing off its holiday wares. Step into an 1880s general store advertising and showing off its special holiday wares. With the purchase of a Time Travel Token, you can buy a traditional holiday gift, such as sanded and ribbon candy, mulling spices, fans, hair picks, soap and beeswax in the shape of Christmas trees and pinecones. 

Holiday Wagon at the Entry Green

Haven’t found time to take the family holiday card photo? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect backdrop. Our historic holiday wagon is decorated in fresh greenery and you’re ready for your close-up. 

Yule Display at the Crossroads Village Cutover 

Make sure you and your kin are camera ready for a photo op in front of this festive display of Yule traditions and celebration of the winter solstice.

Vintage Sleigh at the Wagon Shop

Step into an authentic, 19^th-century sleigh and snap a selfie to share with your bestie!