
Join us for Waupaca's 8th Annual Yuletide Celebration!
December 3-6, 2026

Thursday, December 3:
- Yuletide Celebration Parade, 6:30 pm--runs down from Badger and South Main Streets to Water Street
- Community Tree Lighting — Immediately following at Danes Hall PlazaBundle up and join us as we welcome the season with lights, music, and community spirit (and Santa!)!
- Support our local businesses and shop before and after the tree lighting

Friday, December 4:
- Interactive Family Holiday Movie at the Waupaca Area Public Library--6 pm--Join the Library at this family-friendly interactive movie. More information coming soon!
- Light Up Bethany (Bethany Home, 1226 Berlin Street, Entrance #2)
Join Bethany Home for a joyful night featuring live music, twinkling Christmas lights, and cozy eggnog and hot chocolate paired with delightful holiday treats! And, don't forget to vote for your favorite decorated tree! - Holiday event presented by The Waupaca Fine Arts Festival at the Waupaca Country Club at 7pm--More information coming soon!

Saturday, December 5--Waupaca's Yuletide Trail:
- Cookie Walk, 10 am-4 pm
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!
- Shopping in downtown Waupaca and King, 10 am-4 pm
- Trolley from downtown Waupaca (pick up on East Fulton Street) to King (Clear Water Harbor bar outlot), 10 am-4 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! - Waupaca Area Public Library open 9 am-2 pm
Storytime in the lower level, with books sponsored by Winchester Academy
Crafts with the Waupaca Arts Hub
Exhibit Room open with a craft for all ages - Children's Christmas Party at Danes Hall from 12 to 2 pm with Santa! Check out the flyer here!
- Carolers in King and downtown Waupaca
- Indian Crossing Casino Winter Farmers Market: 9:30am to 1:30pm (no food, but bar open at ICC)
- Holiday event presented by The Waupaca Fine Arts Festival at the Waupaca Country Club at 7pm--More information coming soon!

Sunday, December 6:
- Downtown Waupaca businesses open for shopping--support our local stores and restaurants!
- Check out the Artful Trees Display outside the Library/City Hall!
- Stroll down Main Street and enjoy the holiday-themed Storywalk in the beautiful planters!

Artful Trees Display outside the Library/City Hall
- Check out the Artful Trees decorating the front of the Library/City Hall! Trees are festively decorated by local businesses and organizations! 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 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!
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 2025 Yuletide Celebration Sponsors


Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!
Interested in receiving the latest news from the Waupaca Historical Society? Subscribe with your email address below!
Come visit us year-round at the Holly Center at 321 S. Main Street during our open hours:
Wednesday and Thursday:
10 am to 2 pm
Friday:
10 am to 4 pm
2nd Saturday of the Month (excluding April and December):
11:30 am to 2 pm
___________________________________
What's Happening at the Waupaca Historical Society
- Thursday, September 17, 6pm: "A Visit with Margaret Ashmun" with Dr. Connie Haack-Hurlbut
- Saturday, September 19, 9am-3pm: Brat Fry and Hutchinson House Open at Fall-O-Rama (South Park, Waupaca)
- Saturday, October 17, 2-4 pm (Lakeside Memorial Park): Hike Through History at Lakeside Cemetery
- Friday, October 30, 4-6pm: Brat fry at Halloween on Main (downtown Waupaca)
- Friday, November 13, 6pm: Depot Dinner (TICKETS ON SALE NOW!)
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








