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New Christmas Traditions in Wisconsin Dells

Family sleigh riding at Red Ridge Ranch

Traditions. The fabric of family is made up of them. Wisconsin Dells has been a tourist destination for over 150 years, and the area has played witness to so many family traditions.

For many years, Wisconsin Dells traditions were built around the summer season. A destination that thrived from Memorial Day to Labor Day, then shut its sleepy eyes for the rest of the year. But now, with the advent of the indoor waterpark and indoor theme parks, Wisconsin Dells traditions run year round. More and more, we find families starting a new tradition. Rooted in togetherness, fun, and the spirit of the holidays. Christmas in Wisconsin Dells.

Some come because a getaway over Christmas feels like a special kind of vacation. Some come because the vacation is the actual Christmas gift to the family. Some come to escape all the work of setting up and preparing a big family gathering at home. Whatever the reason, a Christmas vacation in Wisconsin Dells is becoming a Christmas tradition.

Where to start planning? Consider where you’d like to stay. Waterpark resort. Mid-sized hotel property with water activities. Condo. Cabin in the woods. Vacation home rental. Do you want to walk downstairs to a big buffet? Have a kitchen in your unit to spin together quick family meals? Activities and amenities right on the property or do you prefer a quiet lodge off the beaten path?

Several of the resorts offer special events and activities during the holiday season. Great Wolf Lodge transforms into Snowland, a magical place with real snow, a mailbox to Santa and a life-sized gingerbread house. Chula Vista Resort gets downright cheerful with elf tuck-ins at bedtime, secret gift making and a winter wonderland workshop. Wilderness Resort keeps with the elf spirit – you can have cookies with Santa’s little helpers and even meet Santa on select dates. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions features a tree-lighting ceremony each and every night and holiday activities every day. Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park offers ski, snowboard and tube passes included with your stay. The wide variety of lodging options in the area can be found here.

What’s on your to-do list? Palace Theater is a state-of-the-art dinner theater in the Dells that usually has Christmas-themed shows planned around the holdiay season so check out their calendar. Sleigh rides are available at Red Ridge Ranch Riding Stable and horseback riding is available year round at Woodside Ranch. Once a few cold days come to the area, Christmas Mountain Village™ Ski, Snowboard & Tube and Cascade Mountain Ski, Snowboard & Snow Tube will be groomed for their trio of skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Indoor attractions like Wizard Quest, Knuckleheads Trampoline Park • Rides • Bowling, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum and Tom Foolerys Adventure Park can amuse the crew for hours. There’s always shopping to be found in downtown Wisconsin Dells.

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