
Join us for Waupaca's 7th Annual Yuletide Celebration!
December 4-7, 2025
More information coming soon!

Thursday, December 4:
- Yuletide Celebration Parade, 6:30 pm
Join us in downtown Waupaca on South Main Street as we kick off Waupaca's Yuletide Celebration. Parade will start at 6:30 pm and run from Trinity Lutheran Church on Badger Street to Danes Hall on North Main Street. The parade will end at Danes Hall with Santa, carols with the Waupaca High School Madrigal Singers and Waupaca Community Theatre, and the lighting of the tree.. - Are you a business or organization interested in participating in the parade? Fill out this ENTRY FORM and drop off, with payment, at the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce office (315 S. Main Street, Waupaca).

Friday, December 5:
- Window Walk and late-night shopping in downtown Waupaca
Downtown shops open until 8 pm.

Saturday, December 6--Waupaca's Yuletide Trail:
- Cookie Walk, 10 am-4 pm
Get your cookie tin beginning on Friday, October 31 at the Holly History and Genealogy Center (321 S. Main Street), Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce (315 S. Main Street), Community First Credit Union (1006 Royalton Street), or Northern Home (119 N. Main Street).
Tins are $25 and all proceeds benefit the Waupaca Historical Society, thanks to Community First Credit Union. All tins include a coupon book and cookie map!
Pick up your cookies with your tin (please only one cookie per stop) throughout the day at participating businesses. Check the map inside the tin for the cookie stops!
NEW!! Free cookie tin bag with each tin purchase!
NEW!! Free cookie tin bag with each tin purchase!
- Shopping in downtown Waupaca and King, 10 am-4 pm
- Trolley from downtown Waupaca (pick up on East Fulton Street) to King, 10 am-5 pm
The Holly Jolly Trolley is back! Hop on and shop, then hop back on! The trolley will run all day back and forth with no set pick-up times. Just get the trolley stop and you'll soon be on your way! Enjoy entertainment on the trolley, too, thanks to our local musicians and storytellers! - Waupaca Area Public Library open 10 am-2 pm
Storytime in the lower level, 10 am
Crafts - Children's Christmas Party at Danes Hall from 12 to 2 pm with Santa!
- Carolers in King and downtown Waupaca

Sunday, December 7:
- Downtown Waupaca businesses open for shopping

Artful Trees Display outside the Library/City Hall
- Check out the Artful Trees decorating the front lawn of the Library/City Hall! Trees are festively decorated by local businesses and organizations! Be sure to stop by day or night through January 1!
Are you a local business or organization that wants to decorate a tree? There are 12 Artful Trees available, so sign up now! Fill out this REGISTRATION FORM (coming soon!) and drop off payment at the Waupaca Historical Society (321 S. Main Street). The payment is refundable after your tree has been taken down by Friday, January 3 (more details on the form).
Not interested in decorating a tree but want to support the display? We are looking for sponsors to offset the costs of the trees, lights, stands and signage. In return for your sponsorship of this event, we will publish your logo in our printed materials, and name you as a sponsor in our social media and press releases. Contact us today if you are interested!

All Week:
- Take your holiday photograph at the top of the hill next to Danes Hall. It's the perfect holiday photo opportunity with beautiful Main Street in the background!
- Enjoy the Storywalk in downtown Waupaca and in King! Two different holiday books will be available for you to read with your family in both locations.
OPPORTUNITIES:
- Would you like to sponsor Waupaca's Yuletide Celebration? We are looking for sponsors to help offset the costs of this free community event. Costs include signage, banners, printing, and trees. In return for your sponsorship of this event, we will publish your logo in our printed materials, and name you as a sponsor in our social media and press releases. If you would like to sponsor the event, please contact Tracy Behrendt at director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org. Thank you for your support!
Our 2024 Yuletide Celebration Sponsors
Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!
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Come visit us year-round at the Holly Center at 321 S. Main Street during our open hours on
Wednesday through Friday,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
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What's Happening at the Waupaca Historical Society
- NOW through August 1: Outdoor Photo Exhibit--Celebrating 150 Years of the City of Waupaca (around Bandstand in front of City Hall)
- Memorial Day through Labor Day, Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5 pm, along with Memorial Day and Labor Day: Depot (525 Oak Street) OPEN for tours
- June, July and August, 2nd and 4th weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), 1-4 pm: Hutchinson House Museum (in South Park) OPEN for tours
- June, July and August, 2nd Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm: Holly Center OPEN
- Wed., July 30, 5:30-6:30 pm: Hutchinson House OPEN before Summer Nights Concert
- Thurs., August 7, 3-6 pm (at Holly Center): Pie & Ice Cream Social Fundraiser
Looking for other events taking place in Waupaca? Check out the Waupaca Chain O'Lakes Community Calendar here!
Appointments outside of open hours at any WHS buildings can be made at least two weeks in advance by calling the Holly History and Genealogy Center at (715) 256-9980 or emailing
Tracy Behrendt at