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.
Nov 13 – Nov 14, 2026 All ages
See more other Christmas activities near Ripon
Plan Your Visit
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.
Neighborhood
Historic Downtown Ripon
Accessibility
The Village Green has an ADA-accessible concrete gathering area around its central pergola.
Location
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.
Links & Contact
Run by Ripon Main Street, Inc.
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
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.
Browse Christmas in Oshkosh
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.