Step Into a Holiday Movie in These Small Wisconsin Towns

When temperatures dip and the snow begins to fall, it's time to cozy up and watch a holiday movie. Or, better yet, make plans to explore one of Wisconsin's idyllic towns in person and bring your big-screen dreams to life. Here are six that are worthy of being the setting for a popular holiday film.

Baraboo

One of America's best small towns, according to Smithsonian Magazine, Baraboo boasts a picturesque downtown that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tucked among its majestic old buildings is Circus World, a museum and entertainment venue that tells the story of The Ringling Bros. Circus, which wintered in Baraboo for 34 years.

The city excels at preserving its historic glamour while incorporating chic new shops, restaurants and inns. You’ll feel like the main character of your own holiday movie when you visit for the town’s annual Christmas Light Parade and Market, with carollers, bonfires and the grand finale: Santa lighting the tree that sits atop the Al Ringling Theater.

Make sure to also stop and sample some spirits and wine at Driftless Glen Distillery and Baraboo Bluff Winery. And get your nature fix by walking along the Baraboo segment of the Ice Age Trail. Four miles of this 1,150-mile path wind through town, leading you through four parks, a conservancy and along the Baraboo River.

Port Washington

Each winter, the coastal village of Port Washington on Lake Michigan transforms into a snow-covered wonderland. Just a thirty-minute drive north of Milwaukee, this is the perfect small-town escape to enjoy with loved ones.

Browse downtown shops and vote for your favorite holiday window display, stay in a restored turn-of-the-century hotel and take part in the Krampusnacht Festival of Light that includes a parade, fire dancers and live music.

Cedarburg

It's hard to top Cedarburg when it comes to Old World charm. Its downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is filled with cream-colored limestone buildings dating to the early 20th century. Many of these buildings are home to boutiques selling everything from handmade pottery to Nepalese hoodies, or quaint bed-and-breakfast inns.

A stop at Cedar Creek Settlement is a must. The restored 19th-century woolen mill contains additional shops, plus artist studios, a winery and a working forge. Adding to the magic, shimmering Cedar Creek winds through town and flows under Wisconsin's only remaining covered bridge. Before leaving town, head over and stroll through this romantic reminder of simpler times.

Fish Creek

All of the towns dotting the Door County peninsula could be the setting for a holiday movie–in fact, the 2025 film “A Wisconsin Christmas Pie” takes place here and features the area’s famously delicious cherries. 

Fish Creek stands out for the expansive views of Green Bay from its harbor and festive Winter Festival. A booming arts community lives here, offering galleries and studios, live performances and make-your-own-art shops. And the main entrance to popular Peninsula State Park sits on the town's east end. Head to the park to hike, bike, cross-country ski, sled or snowshoe. Or take a tour of the historic Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, tucked inside the park. Make sure to check out the scenic overlooks for a peek at the nearby islands, then return at dusk to drink in a dramatic sunset.

Mineral Point

One of Wisconsin's first cities, Mineral Point was settled in the 1830s by immigrants from Cornwall, England, who came to work in its zinc and lead mines. Thanks to early 20th-century preservationists, quite a few of the stone homes and buildings they created remain, evoking the feeling of strolling through a European village.

Today, many of these structures contain the studios and galleries of artists and craftspeople. Think potters, painters and glassblowers. Stop in to check out their wares, then have a meal at one of the many restaurants serving Cornish food, including the pasties favored by the miners. Stay overnight at one of the city's inns – including the three-story Commerce Street Brewery and Hotel, a pub with five posh rooms upstairs. Before heading home, explore the surrounding Driftless Region, a beautiful, hilly area offering endless recreational opportunities.

Keep on exploring in these charming Wisconsin small towns!