Christmas in Eau Claire, WI
It's officially the most wonderful time of the year, and Eau Claire is bursting with excitement. When walking around the city, you'll see lights illuminating the streets, local shops and restaurants decorated to a T, and you'll even hear Christmas music playing in the streets of downtown. Whatever Eau Claire does, it does it big, and the holidays are no exception at our destination. We promise there will be no lack of spirit this holiday season.
Holiday Events in Eau Claire
Wintertime in the City
Kick off the holiday season at Wintertime in the City! This special celebration will take place throughout downtown Eau Claire on Saturday, November 26, otherwise known as Small Business Saturday! While you're out and about shopping at local businesses, you can also expect photos with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot chocolate and cider, and holiday trees & lights! Find all the information for this day here. But, wait! There's more. The annual Clearwater Winter Parade will take place on Friday, December 2, 2022 starting at 6:30 with fireworks and will travel on West Grand Ave and First Ave!
Chippewa Valley Parade of Lights
Make your holiday season merry and bright with the Chippewa Valley Parade of Lights! The most festive homes and businesses in the Chippewa Valley register to participate and decorate their houses/establishments with holiday lights, scenes, and different decor in celebration of the season. They are then featured on a map that you can use to guide your driving route as you venture out on your own little holiday lights tour. A map of participating addresses is set to be released soon. Find more event details!
Winter Weekends at Leinie Lodge
Why not enjoy the holidays with a beer in hand?! Each Saturday and Sunday from November 19th through December 18th from 1-4 PM, the Leinie Lodge will be hosting their Winter Weekends at the Leinie Lodge event. You can expect live music, gift wrapping, and special deals on Leinenkugel's merchandise. Plus, the best part... Leinenkugel's Beer! Speaking of beer... have you signed up for your free Eau Claire Brew Pass yet?!
Winter Farmers Market in the Greenhouse
Who says farmers' markets are just for summer anymore? Down To Earth Garden Center hosts an indoor winter farmers market on the first and third Saturdays of every month from November (2022) through March (2023). You can find a wide assortment of local meats, fish, baked goods, coffee, beeswax candles, and more while also supporting our local economy.
Get in The Spirit in Eau Claire
Stroll Through Christmas Village
Christmas Village is an impressive light display over at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls, WI. The park gets lit up with over 100,000 lights and creates Christmas scenes that will make you feel like you've been transported back to the Victorian era. You can put on your snow boots to walk through the park on foot or cozy up with a warm cup of hot cocoa and Christmas music in your car to drive through the park. The Christmas Village is free, but donations are always appreciated to help keep this lovely tradition alive in the Chippewa Valley. The display will be available to drive/walk through on Monday-Sunday from 7 am-9:30 pm from Thanksgiving through January 1, 2023, and will be open until midnight on Christmas Eve (12/24/2022).
Pick Out Your Christmas Tree
There's something about picking out that perfect Balsam Fir, strapping it onto the rooftop of your car, and bringing the fresh smell of pine through the front doors of your home. Look no further than Curvue Hideaway & Trees for a tree farm that will have just what your living room needs this season. They have 10 acres worth of trees for you to browse through including ones you can cut yourself or pre-cut trees that will save you some sweat. Then, do some rockin' around the Christmas tree and have a happy holiday!
See a Holiday Show at Pablo Center
Have you made a visit to Pablo Center at the Confluence yet? Well, this place is quite the spectacle to experience both inside and out. Browse Pablo Center's calendar to see what shows they have coming in Late November/December. Find something that piques your interest and purchase your tickets before the seats fill up! Pick something festive like Zach Williams: I don't want Christmas to end or get a taste of a local country artist who made his debut on The Voice, Chris Kroeze! Find Pablo Center's full event calendar.
Get in The Christmas Spirit with Spirits
What are the holidays without seasonal, creamy cocktails and red wines? Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery has just the things to fill those needs. They serve their own house-made wines and spirits 365 days a year and invite you to come in for a memorable wine-tasting experience with your closest friends and family.
Holiday Dining in Eau Claire
Dine-In
Let's be real; sometimes the holidays can get out of hand. All the cooking, and cleaning, and shopping... all you need is a night out! This holiday season, check out some of Eau Claire's local restaurants that serve dishes that put us on the map.
Take-Out
Since the effects of COVID-19, many restaurants have continued their take-out and curbside pick-up options. Pick up some of your favorite comfort foods and make it a cozy night in with a holiday movie on the TV and your fireplace lit.
Desserts
Don't think we forgot about dessert! The holidays are all about baked goods. Craving French pastries? The Nostalgic Bean in Altoona is your place. Pie? Stop at Norske Nook in Osseo! Treats that pair well with coffee? Pick up something curb-side from ECDC!
Holiday Shopping in Eau Claire
You either love it or you hate it: holiday shopping. On the bright side, there are so many unique and wonderful shops to browse through in our area. Along with the few picks below, check out all the stores in Eau Claire that will have just what you need to cross off those wish lists.
The Local Store
The Local Store has everything under the sun; apparel, art, books, music, food, home goods, gift baskets and much more. It just simply screams "Wisconsin" as soon as you step through the front door.
Blue Ox Running
If you have any active runners in your life, Blue Ox Running is the ideal place to go for some running gear. They have professional employees, personalized analysis, and premium products that will make for one exciting unboxing moment.
Hello Adorn
Hello Adorn is the place to go when you're shopping for the people in your life that just love to accessorize. Their team works side by side hand-making beautiful jewelry including earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and more. Shop at their brick-and-mortar store or ship your gifts right to your door with their online shopping options.
Pet Food Plus
We can't forget our beloved furry family members this holiday season. When you want to spoil the heck out of your pets this year, head over to Pet Food Plus. They have treats, toys, and other goodies that will have your animals overjoyed.
Artisan Forge Studios
Give the gift of art this year! Artisan Forge Studios has galleries and a gift shop filled with art made by local and international artists that would look great in someone's home.
Osseo Nickel Barn & Coffee Shop
Over in Osseo, WI, you can shop at the Nickel Barn for some gifts that have that antique charm. Their store is a unique consignment and retail shop that has items and pieces that will be a home's next treasure.
Winter Activities in Eau Claire
Sledding
Where there is a hill and a blanket of snow, there are sleds racing down the slopes in Eau Claire! Grab your snow pants and sleds and enjoy a winter afternoon of pure snowy fun on the sledding hills!
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Skiing and snowshoeing, oh my! Eau Claire has plenty of trails that are made just for winter recreation. You can glide through Tower Ridge on your skis or put one foot in front of the other with your snowshoes on at Lowes Creek. Wherever you go, enjoy the beautiful snowy scenes that winter brings to Eau Claire.
Fat Tire Biking
Eau Claire offers miles of bike trails year-round. When winter comes to town, some trails are groomed and ready for the fat tire biking enthusiasts out there. Get outside and get your rush of adrenaline this winter!
Winter Kubb
It's no secret that Kubb is Eau Claire's favorite lawn game. After all, Eau Claire is the Kubb Capital of North America! So, who's to say some snow is going to stop us from playing this game? Grab a group of friends and lay out your Kubb pitch at some of our favorite parks in the area like River Prairie, Pinehurst Park, or Phoenix Park!
Happy Holidays from Visit Eau Claire to you!