City Cast Madison logo

Where to See Holiday Lights in Madison

Posted on December 21, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Hayley Sperling

Hayley Sperling

holiday fantasy lights display

The lights at Olin Park are made up of more than 50 displays! (Photo courtesy of Andrew Hanson)

‘Tis the season for bright lights and shiny things all around the city, but where’s the best place to get a good look at them? Here are a few options for your viewing pleasure.

Drive through more than 50 light displays with local flavor including the Forward Flamingos and Bucky Badger at Olin Park. The display runs through the end of the year from dusk to dawn. It’s free but donations are accepted.

inflateable santa outside

This Santa flies his sleigh with a dragon. (Hayley Sperling / City Cast Madison)

Take a stroll through the Monroe Street neighborhood and you’ll see a 12-foot-tall inflatable Santa on nearly every corner. The quirky new neighborhood tradition is truly a sight to behold. How long will they stay up? That's up to the residents of Monroe Street, so go see them while you can.

A holiday tree has been a winter tradition for the state since the early 20th century. This tree's theme commemorates the state's 175-year anniversary and features hundreds of ornaments handmade by Wisconsin’s schoolchildren. You can see the tree from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. It’s expected to stay up through Jan. 7.

Head to the Henry Vilas Zoo after dark to see the space lit up with nearly one million lights. The ticketed event runs through Dec. 30 (but will be closed Christmas Eve and Day) and kids under three get in for free.

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Neighborhood Guides

See All
Neighborhood GuidesSeptember 29

Browse the Imagination Center, Madison’s Newest Library

Explore Madison's new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park—the city's first public library in 26 years. Take a virtual tour of this vibran...

The outside of the Imagination Center. A blue tiled buildiing with a sign that read "Library."
Neighborhood GuidesJune 15

Take a Look Inside the Center for Black Excellence and Culture

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened its doors last month to much fanfare. The $32 million facility is envisioned as a hub...

The interior of a building with white walls and a polished floor.
Neighborhood GuidesMarch 4

Your Guide To Madison’s Sister City of Camagüey, Cuba

Madison has had a decades-long relationship with its sister city of Camaguey, Cuba. Here's what to know about the country's largest inte...

A cityscape with brown roofs.
Neighborhood GuidesJanuary 28

Uncovering Madison’s Kinky Past

For Valentine's Day, take a deep dive into the kinky history of Madison, from the Hotel Washington to the Cardinal Bar to Madison's now-d...

A room with red lights and a giant "X" scaffold.
Neighborhood GuidesAugust 18, 2025

Your Guide to Madison’s Sister City of Vilnius, Lithuania

But for today’s Sister City feature on Vilnius, Lithuania, I have some expert help.

A man in a hat sitting on a pink bench in a city square.
Neighborhood GuidesJuly 23, 2025

Your Guide To AtwoodFest, Madison’s SASY-est Festival

Since 1982, AtwoodFest has celebrated the spirit of Madison's east side SASY neighborhood and raised money for good causes. This year's f...

A group of people dancing outdoors.
Neighborhood GuidesJuly 9, 2025

Your Guide to Madison’s Sister City in Obihiro, Japan

One of Madison's sister cities is Obihiro, located on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. The city has a lot that will be familiar to visito...

A small train station in a snowy landscape.
Neighborhood GuidesJune 4, 2025

Check Out Madison’s Black Business Hub

The Black Business Hub opened last summer to support and accelerate minority-owned businesses, and new ventures are constantly opening in...

A large space with floor to ceiling windows and orange chairs.

The latest in Madison

Food & DrinkOctober 15

What Do Madison Beer Drinkers Really Want?

Brewery owner Garth Beyer surveyed over 350 people about their beer and bar preferences. These are his takeaways about Madison's beer scene.

A man sitting in a chair pours beer into a glass.
Madison's BestOctober 13

Practice Shelf-Care at the Wisconsin Book Festival

Discover your next great read at the 25th annual Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration, Oct. 15-18. Enjoy free author events for all a...

A group of people browse a table of books in a bright sunlit space.
Madison's BestOctober 8

Your Favorite Spots To Meet Your Neighbors in Madison

City Cast Madison Neighbors share their favorite places in Madison.

Rolling green hills with wildflowers.
Madison, ExplainedOctober 7

UW-Madison Professor Receives Nobel Prize in Physics

Discover the backstory behind UW-Madison professor Francis Halzen's Nobel Prize in physics for pioneering the IceCube Neutrino Observator...

An observatory at the South Pole. A metal structure sits on a desolate landscape with the cosmos above it.
Madison's BestOctober 5

Where To Get Scared in Madison for Spooky Season

Looking for a scare this October in Madison? From horror movies to haunted forests and eerie ghost tours, here is your ultimate guide to...

A poster for "Jeckyll & Hyde" - a ballet dancer in black leaps in front of a foggy, London background.
Food & DrinkOctober 1

The Best Fall Drinks To Try in Madison

Looking for the perfect pumpkin spice or autumnal drink? Here is your guide to the best coffee shops and bars serving special fall bevera...

A group of multi-colored cocktails sit on a wooden bar.
Madison's BestOctober 1

What To Do in Madison in October 2026

Plan your perfect October 2026 in Madison! Check out the 25th Wisconsin Book Festival, cheer on the Badgers, tour haunted spots, and find...

City Cast Madison’s Hayley Sperling, Bianca Martin, Rob Thomas, and Jade Iseri-Ramos stand in front of a wooden arch-shaped bookcase that is holding books that will be featured at the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration.
Madison, ExplainedSeptember 28

What To Know About The Proposed BECI Transmission Line

The 190-mile BECI high-voltage transmission line aims to secure Wisconsin’s grid, but locals and the Dane County Board are demanding dela...

Two large electric towers stand next to a white house.