Christmas in the Village
Visitors can watch Santa travel down Watson Street to light the bandstand decorations and greet families at the Village Green. The festival features a live reindeer display, an ice sculpting demonstration on The Square, and carriage rides through the historic district. Guests can also stroll along streets filled with holiday music and browse locally owned shops decorated for the season.
What to Expect
Holiday festivities featuring Santa, live reindeer, carriage rides, and ice sculpting.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Historic Downtown Ripon
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Ripon Main Street, Inc.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday shoppers
Vibe
Festive and nostalgic
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Friday 6:00 to 8:00 pm; Saturday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Friday Santa: 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Saturday Santa and ice sculpting: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm; live reindeer: noon to 4:00 pm; carriage rides: 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
- Accessibility: The Village Green has an ADA-accessible concrete gathering area around its central pergola.
Tips & Advice
- Dress for the weather, because every Christmas in the Village activity takes place outdoors on the streets, The Square and the Village Green.
- Be along Watson Street on Friday evening to watch Santa head to the Village Green and light the bandstand decorations.
- Go to the corner of Watson and W. Fond du Lac Street on Saturday afternoon to catch a carriage ride through the historic district.
- Use the extended Friday evening store hours to work through your holiday shopping list at the locally owned downtown shops.
- Bring a camera or phone, since decorated downtown Ripon makes an outdoor backdrop for selfies and holiday family photos.
Special Events & Promotions
- Friday evening: Santa arrives down Watson Street and lights the bandstand at the Village Green, with extended evening shopping.
- Saturday: ice sculpting demonstration on The Square.
- Saturday: live reindeer display at the Village Green.
- Saturday afternoon: carriage rides from the corner of Watson and W. Fond du Lac Street.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can kids see Santa?
On Friday evening Santa comes down Watson Street to the Village Green, lights the bandstand decorations and greets the crowd. He's back at the Village Green on Saturday to meet children and the young at heart.
What else is going on Saturday?
There's an ice sculpting demonstration on The Square, a live reindeer display at the Village Green, and carriage rides through the historic district in the afternoon.
Where do the carriage rides pick up?
Carriages pick up and drop off at the corner of Watson and W. Fond du Lac Street.
What should I wear?
Everything happens outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Are the shops open during the event?
Yes. Most stores stay open late on Friday evening and are open all day Saturday. You'll find gifts, clothing, jewelry, furniture and more.
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