We found 5 Santa outings for little kids in and around Madison with 2026 dates: 3 breakfasts and brunches and 1 photo spot or visit, plus one worth the drive. None are free on their own, though some come with admission you may already have. The first visits start Nov 20. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.
Last checked · none is free on its own · How we choose
Dots mark set dates, like breakfasts and one-day visits.
3 breakfasts · Nov 28 – Dec 5
The Edgewater Hotel, Grand Ballroom · Madison, WI
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
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The Edgewater Hotel · Madison, WI
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problemThe River Food Pantry · 3301 Packers Ave, Madison, WI
Checked Oct 18 · organizer (Northside Business Association)
Report a problem1 daytime spot · Nov 20
Henry Vilas Zoo · Madison, WI
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problem1 outing · Dec 12 · the drive time is on each card
Rotary Botanical Gardens · 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI 53545
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problemSee all 4 light displays in and around Madison with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.
Christmas lights in Madison →
None of the 2026 visits we found is free on its own. Santa at Zoo Lights is included with $12 Zoo Lights ticket, so it costs nothing extra if you’re going anyway. We add free visits as soon as their dates are posted.
Of the breakfasts and brunches with posted 2026 prices, the lowest are Northside Breakfast with Santa (Adults $9; children $5 (cash or check)); PJs & Pancakes with Santa (Adults $48; 12 and under $32); Breakfast with Santa & Special Guest (Adults $48; 12 and under $32; non-refundable). Prices are from each venue’s own page.
Babies and young toddlers get in free at Morning with Santa at Rotary Botanical Gardens (2 and under free). A morning visit before nap usually goes better than an evening one.
Four listings start in the morning, including PJs & Pancakes with Santa, Breakfast with Santa & Special Guest and Northside Breakfast with Santa.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 18, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Madison · Madison city guide · Visiting Madison
One short email every Friday morning with what works for ages 0–6 in Madison that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.