Unwrapping the Best Holiday Traditions in Wisconsin Dells and Beyond
Things to Do
- Things to Do
With so much to see and do in Sauk County, there’s no time to waste. Use these shortcuts to find your next adventure that much quicker.Parks & NatureFind information about the many parks, orchards, and lakes that abound in Sauk County.Outdoor ActivitiesLearn more about Sauk County's fishing, boating, and hunting opportunities.Family & CultureFrom museums to amusement parks to festivals, see what's in store for the whole family.ShoppingSauk County has plenty of shops, boutiques, and malls to help find what you need — and want.Upcoming EventsConcerts, banquets, carnivals: There’s always something happening in Sauk County. - Eat & Drink
There is much to taste and sip in Sauk County. Use these shortcuts to find your next foodie adventure that much quicker.Restaurants & BarsDig into the region's gastropubs, fine dining experiences, and more.Artisanal Foods & BeveragesGet a taste of Sauk County's homegrown and locally crafted bites and bits.Breweries & WineriesSauk County is the perfect destination for gorgeous winery views and brew-adventures.Farm to ForkThe 2022 Sauk County Farm Connect Guide aims to reconnect people with the source of their food. - Where to Stay
There are many places to rest your head in Sauk County. Use these shortcuts to find the comfiest pillow that much quicker.Hotels, Motels, & InnsFind comfortable lodgings at Sauk County's mix of hotels, resorts, lodges, and motels.Bed & BreakfastsIndulge in comfort with a side of hospitality at a bed-and-breakfast spot.Cabins & Ski ResortsPlanning a ski getaway? Check out Sauk's best cabins and ski resorts.Condos & Vacation RentalsAny one of the county's vacation rentals is sure to become your home away from home.Guest Ranches & Farm InnsGet a feel for the Sauk County way of life when you stay at a guest ranch or farm inn.Campgrounds & RV ParksBringing your own rig? Happy campers can find great places to park here. - Blog
There is much to know about Sauk County. Use these shortcuts to read all about the people, places, and way of life that make up this great region.Discover Your Inner Adventurer in Beautiful Sauk County, Wisconsin11 Ways to Have the Best Spring Break in Sauk County12 Unexpected Food & Drink Spots to Visit During Your Wisconsin Dells Vacay5 Sauk County Artisans Offering Handcrafted Goods Perfect for GiftingA Weekend in Wisconsin’s Picturesque Sauk County14 Can’t-Miss Fall Festivals and Events in Sauk County - About
There’s much to learn and know about Sauk County and its chambers of commerce. Use these shortcuts to tap into the Sauk way of life that much quicker.BarabooA charming small town, Baraboo is famous for its circus history and Devil's Lake State Park.ReedsburgReedsburg is a recreational paradise that is home to the 400 State Trail and Railway Museum.Sauk PrairieMinutes from the state capital, Sauk Prairie is a gateway to the lower Wisconsin River Valley and Baraboo Bluffs.Spring GreenSpring Green attracts visitors with sightseeing wonders like Taliesin and House on the Rock.Wisconsin DellsA true tourist's paradise, Wisconsin Dells is host to amusement and water parks galore.
14 Can’t-Miss Fall Festivals and Events in Sauk County
Take a night hike along a torch-lit trail at Devil’s Lake State Park, find a new favorite craft beer, board a vintage train to pick out a pumpkin, or munch vegetarian fare while listening to live music: These are just a few of the fun fall happenings taking place throughout Sauk County this autumn. Want more? We’ve got you covered.
Country Bumpkin Fall Fun
Wisconsin Dells | Sep. 1-Oct. 31
The market is open all summer for freshly picked berries, fruit, and vegetables, but come autumn, you’ll want to visit for the fall festivities. The Lil’ Bumpkin Play Village is a hit for all ages with play buildings, a giant climbable John Deere, a zip line, a pedal-kart racetrack, and a petting zoo. Then find your way through the 2.5-acre corn maze and catch a ride around the farm on the Country Bumpkin Express Train. Grab a soft spot on a hayride to the pumpkin patch, where you can pick the perfect squash in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Admission is $15 per person and includes a cone of animal feed. The concession stand serves food and drinks on weekends and the on-site bakery is always sending out fresh pies, breads, and more.
Apple Season at Ski-Hi
Baraboo | Thursdays – Saturdays
Apple season is here! Grab your baskets and appetite and enjoy over 30 different varieties of apples at Ski-Hi Fruit Farm. Whether you are on your way to Devil’s Lake for the day or just stopping by to stock up, discover bluff-top views, fall colors, orchard sights, and friendly farmyard animals. Shop the Sunset Market on Thursday nights and enjoy crafty vendors, or make it an all-day event Friday and Saturdays until 6 p.m. Enjoy this fun fall tradition where you are sure to leave with full bellies and plenty of memories.
Wo-Zha-Wa Fall Festival
Wisconsin Dells | Sep. 14-16
The name of this autumn celebration means “fun time” in the traditional language of the Native American Ho-Chunk people, according to the festival-throwers, and it’s an apt name for the three-day event. There’s an arts and crafts fair, antique flea market, epic sidewalk sale, and streetside carnival with concessions and rides all weekend long. There’s also a fun run to get your legs moving on Saturday, so you can enjoy finding a seat to watch the big 100-plus unit parade on Sunday.
Hill & Valley 2023 Exploration Tour: A Celebration of Rural Living
Sauk, Richland & Juneau Counties | Sep. 16-17 & 23-24
The 2023 7th Annual Hill & Valley Exploration Tour will be here shortly! The 2023 Hill & Valley Exploration Tour will be our best yet with new and returning venues showcasing the best of rural living. From Farm-to-Fork Dining to Historic Folk Art Sites to Chickens and Beef Farming to Wine and Mead – we have something for everyone! Plan a day or a weekend (or two) for the Hill & Valley Exploration Tour: A celebration of rural living!
Brew Ha Ha Oktoberfest
Baraboo | Sep. 23
Pull up your lederhosen and dust off your best dirndl. It’s Oktoberfest in downtown Baraboo. Each ticket includes a keepsake glass, a wristband for access, and a map lanyard with a list of spots to hit. Pick up your glass and then, from 6 to 9 p.m., you can pop into more than 12 participating locations boasting German spirit and serving craft beer samples. Buy your $30 ticket in advance. Glass pickup is at Bekah Kate’s.
Harvest Fest Chili Lunch, Art & Craft Show at the Reedsburg Fire Department
Reedsburg | Oct. 1
The Reedsburg Fire Department hosts this annual small festival, which includes an arts and crafts fair with local artists and a chili lunch with coffee, soda, and hot dogs for a $6.50 donation. (Children under 5 are free.) Proceeds from the event are invested back into the fire department, which serves the town in a beautiful cycle of community support.
Fermentation Fest: Spirits Edition
Reedsburg | Oct. 1-9
Join us for a thrilling 2-day event filled with captivating activities at Fermentation Fest: Spirits Edition. Discover a world of mezcal, as Gary Paul Nabhan shares his insights from “Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals.” Dive into the intriguing history of The Great Awakening and its connection to the Witwen Tabernacle with Erica Ruggerio. Learn about distilled spirits and their plant origins, while immersing yourself in captivating artworks, performances, and zines. Indulge in local delicacies and mark your calendars for next year’s 10-day extravaganza, featuring the Farm/Art DTour through magnificent farmland adorned with large-scale artworks. Unleash your spirit at Fermentation Fest: Spirits Edition.
Fall Fair on the Square
Baraboo | Oct. 7
The whole downtown of Baraboo seems to participate in this hopping semiannual festival, which showcases more than 170 artisans, who come to share their crafts and cuisines. Hop from booth to booth (and in and out of the brick-and-mortar boutiques) for everything from jewelry and accessories to art and home goods, made or sourced by Midwestern hands. When you’ve shopped until you’ve nearly dropped, the area has plenty of restaurants and food trucks waiting to serve you. There’s also live music, kids’ activities, and a farmer’s market so you can do some fresh produce and goods shopping too.
Smore Fun Trail Run
The Mirror Lake State Park | Oct. 7
This fun trail run includes a Mini Marshmallow 1-mile kids run age 11 & under, 5K run & walk and 10K trail and a half marathon run along the park’s scenic trails. There will be chip-timing for the 5K run, 10K run & Half Marathon race with the help of Tortoise and Hare Race Management timing company.
The goal of this event is to introduce people to the state park and to raise funds to support ongoing and future Friends’ projects at the park. You will run along scenic Mirror Lake, near sandstone cliffs, up and down steep hills (did we mention the hills?) and to the finish line where you can enjoy post-race food and beverages including s’mores around a campfire, making for a truly unique running experience!
Dells On Tap Weekend
Wisconsin Dells | Oct. 13-14
There’s some historical evidence to suggest brewing beer in Wisconsin began back in the 1830s, before Wisconsin even became a state. To say that concocting the perfect cold one is part of the state’s history is an understatement. This annual celebration raises a glass to the Wisconsin Dells’ brewing heritage with two days of sipping alongside other beer lovers. Enjoy the Dells Craft Beer Walk on Friday, where you can barhop to sample artisan brews at participating places downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. for $25 to $35. Saturday’s Dells On Tap is one of the Midwest’s biggest microbrew tasting festivals. Brewmasters come from far and wide to set up on the fairgrounds and present their most prized elixirs. General admission runs $50 to $65, while $75 to $90 VIP tickets include early access, a commemorative mug, and a pretzel necklace. Worth it for the pretzel necklace, if you ask us.
Fall Art Tour
Sauk County Cities | Oct. 20-22
Owning art is a privilege, but knowing its maker is special. Every fall, Sauk County artists collaborate and open their studios to the public, allowing visitors an intimate look at how their work is brought to life. For three days, you can follow a tour map and cruise the hillsides of Sauk County from Spring Green to Baraboo, finding the studios of 49 artists, who make a variety of media including photography, sculpture, furniture, woodwork, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Some of the buildings are as fascinating as the art created within, including restored breweries, one-room schoolhouses, and historic storefronts.
Mid-Continent Railway Pumpkin Special
North Freedom | Oct. 20-22
Bumping along on a hayride to a pumpkin patch is lovely, but taking a train is exceptional. All aboard the Mid-Continent Railway’s 100-year-old restored steel coaches for a ride to Quartzite Lake, where you can hop off the train and pick a locally grown pumpkin to bring home. The ride, offered four times a day, is about an hour to Quartzite Lake and back to the railway museum, where you can check out all the preserved railroad cars from the “Golden Age of Railroading.” You can book tickets online in advance for $12 to $22 per person. (Children under 2 are free.) Bring cash if you want to purchase a pumpkin. The museum also offers a special Autumn Color Weekend ride and the Santa Express with the big man himself every year.
Halloween Hike & Pumpkin Carving Contest at Devil’s Lake State Park
Baraboo | Oct. 21
Spooky season hits Devil’s Lake State Park with a 3 p.m. pumpkin carving contest with categories for all ages and prizes that’ll have you carving competitively. (A one-year park sticker and Culver’s gift cards go to the winners.) Then, lace your boots up at 6 p.m. for a shadowy, 1-mile torch-lit hike followed by a warm campfire with s’mores, snake-themed crafts, and trivia led by the park’s resident naturalist.
Christmas Light Parade
Baraboo | Nov. 19
This parade has all the bells, whistles, and twinkling lights to give even the Grinch the Yuletide warm fuzzies. See lighted floats, reindeer- and horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, and, of course, Saint Nick himself as they make their way through historic downtown Baraboo. Santa will be lighting the official downtown Baraboo holiday tree atop the Al Ringling Theater before visiting with kids and posing for family photos.
Autumn in Sauk County can only mean one thing — fall activities galore.
