Victorian Santa’s Workshop

Wheelman’s Club | All Day (closed 12-12:30pm & 3-3:30pm)

Visit a Victorian Santa Claus and see his toy-making enterprise in action. Drop your letter to Santa in his mail basket.

Sponsored by Waukesha Bank

Yankee Christmas Morning

Yankee Farm (Sanford)

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 have jolly conversations along the way, in this 1800s holiday game.   

Yankee New Year’s Day

Yankee Townhouse (Benson) 

Celebrate Victorian style with a lavish food and drink display, collect signatures in your autograph book, and learn about customs such New Year’s superstitions and traditional parlor games.

Irish Christmas Eve

1880s Irish Home

Celebrating Irish Catholic traditions including a simple meal before Midnight Mass, candlelit windows, and a Nativity scene.

St. Nicholas Eve

1880s Shoe Shop

Celebrate St. Nicholas Day, a tradition in which the visiting saint leaves gifts of candy and other small presents in children’s shoes.

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

Christmas Program

1880s St. Peter’s Church | 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm

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

St. Lucia Celebration

Caldwell Hall

Learn about the Festival of St. Lucia, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” a tradition that draws on Finnish and other Scandinavian traditions.

Wassailing  

Yankee Townhouse (Benson)

Join together and bring your friends and family for a joyful celebration of community and seasonal cheer! Sing traditional Wassaliling songs, celebrating the joy in and around apple trees.

Holiday Wagon Rides

Caldwell Farmer’s Hall | 11 am – 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. 

Additional Cost, limited capacity; based on first-come, first-served basis. 

Holiday Story Time 

Harmony Town Hall

Gather ‘round the Christmas tree for timed readings of traditional holiday stories. See a traditional Victorian Christmas Tree and holiday cheer.  

Jultomte 

Baseball Field | Open until 3 pm

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.  

Krampus Cabin

Brewhouse | Closed 11:45 am – 1 pm and 3:15 – 3:30 pm

This German/Austrian character, celebrated especially in the Alps, visits children alongside St. Nicholas. Look for a furry, horned creature and the sound of tinkling bells that will give him away!     

Holiday Craft Tent

Baseball Field

Take a break at the craft tent to enjoy your hot beverage and make a Victorian paper ornament or seasonal nature decor. The cozy and heated craft tent offers holiday fun for the entire family.

Keepsake Holiday Ornament*

1880s Shoe Shop

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

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!   

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.   

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, apparel and more. 

Historic Holidays

1880s General Store

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 and wooden toys. 

Holiday Wagon

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

Benson Summer House

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

Wagon Shop

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