# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Madison, 2026

> In 2026, Christmas parades near Madison run Nov 28 through Dec 4. Fire & Lights Parade is Nov 28. Christmas in the Grove Holiday Lights Parade is Dec 4. This page lists eight parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 8 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/madison/christmas-parades/
- Christmas break (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/madison/christmas-break/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/madison/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/madison/llms.txt

## Christmas parades

- **Fire & Lights Parade** at Downtown Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m. Price: Not listed. The parade is followed by the tree lighting. Official page: https://cityofsunprairie.com/1985/Fire-Lights-Parade (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Light the Night Parade with Santa** at Main Street, Waunakee. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m. Price: Free to watch. Santa and his elves come down Main Street. Walk over to Village Park afterward for Rotary Lights. Official page: https://www.visitmadison.com/blog/stories/post/madison-area-holiday-lights-tree-lighting-guide/ (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Christmas in the Grove Holiday Lights Parade** at Cottage Grove, Cottage Grove. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 6:30 p.m. Price: Not listed. The Friday-night lights parade opens a weekend of holiday events in Cottage Grove. Santa visits Lake Ridge Bank earlier that evening. Official page: https://www.visitmadison.com/blog/stories/post/madison-area-holiday-lights-tree-lighting-guide/ (checked 2026-10-31)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Shine On Madison Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony** at Lisa Link Peace Park, 452 State St., Madison, WI. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: 4–6 p.m.; lighting ceremony 5 p.m. Price: Free. The lights go on along State St., Capitol Square and King St. Official page: https://madisondowntownbid.org/bid-event/shine-on-madison-downtown-holiday-lighting-ceremony/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Light the Green** at Stone Horse Green, Middleton. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: See the organizer’s page. Price: Free. Official page: https://visitmiddleton.com/event/light-the-green/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Light the Ice Ceremony** at River Rink, Monona. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 5:30–7 p.m. Price: Not listed. A 20-foot tree with 10,000 lights goes up beside the rink. Bring skates if you want to take a few laps after the Clauses arrive. Official page: https://www.visitmadison.com/blog/stories/post/madison-area-holiday-lights-tree-lighting-guide/ (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Wisconsin State Capitol Tree Lighting** at Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda, Downtown Madison. When: Tue, Dec 1, 2026. Time: Noon. Price: Free. A youth choir sings in the rotunda, and kids can look for the ornaments made by children from around the state. The tree stays up all season during Capitol hours. Official page: https://www.visitmadison.com/blog/stories/post/madison-area-holiday-lights-tree-lighting-guide/ (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Hometown Holidays Kick-Off and Tree Lighting** at Century School Park, Verona. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 4–7 p.m.; tree lighting 5 p.m. Price: Not listed. Ice skating, trolley rides and hot cider. Official page: https://www.veronawi.com/hometown-holidays/ (checked 2026-10-21)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Light the Green](https://littlesweekly.com/madison/events/light-the-green-stone-horse/): next dates Nov 21, 2026
- [Shine On Madison Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony](https://littlesweekly.com/madison/events/shine-on-madison-downtown-holiday-lighting-ceremony-lisa-link-peace-park/): next dates Nov 21, 2026
- [Fire & Lights Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/madison/events/fire-and-lights-parade-downtown-sun-prairie/): next dates Nov 28, 2026
- [Hometown Holidays Kick-Off and Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/madison/events/hometown-holidays-kick-off-and-tree-lighting-century-school-park/): next dates Dec 4, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Madison in 2026?
Fire & Lights Parade: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Sun Prairie). Light the Night Parade with Santa: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m. (Waunakee). Christmas in the Grove Holiday Lights Parade: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 6:30 p.m. (Cottage Grove).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Madison?
Shine On Madison Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Lisa Link Peace Park: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 4–6 p.m.; lighting ceremony 5 p.m. Light the Green at Stone Horse Green: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, See the organizer’s page. Light the Ice Ceremony at River Rink: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5:30–7 p.m. Wisconsin State Capitol Tree Lighting at Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda: Tue, Dec 1, 2026, Noon. The full list is on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/madison/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Madison free?
Four of the eight we list are free to watch: Shine On Madison Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Light the Green, Wisconsin State Capitol Tree Lighting and Light the Night Parade with Santa. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

### Which are best for little kids?
Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Light the Green and Wisconsin State Capitol Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).