- Exploring the hidden gems of Western Wisconsin—curating unforgettable stays and sharing the places locals love most.
Every family has that one holiday tradition the kids will still be talking about when they’re grown. Ours was always the tree. Bundling everyone into the car, arguing over which one was “the one,” and driving home with it strapped to the roof and pine needles in everybody’s hair.
If you’re looking to start a tradition of your own, the river valley around Prescott is a wonderful place to do it. Within about an hour, there are tree farms with wagon rides and a Santa in a stone cottage, an Italian-style Christmas market, a holiday stroll in a historic river town and a light show so big you’ll want to go back twice. Here’s how I’d plan a December weekend with kids.
There’s nothing like watching the kids pick out the tree, even if it’s always the biggest one on the farm. Dress in layers, bring mittens and plan to take a hundred photos. Here are three farms I’d send you to.
If you want the full experience, this is the one. The Schottler family bought this farm in 1969, planted their first trees in 1975 and has been selling Christmas trees since 1987, and today it covers 160 acres. Kids go wild for the giant straw mountain and the enchanted forest trail, and Santa holds court in a little stone cottage. Ride the wagon out to the fields, cut your tree, then warm up with hot cider. Leashed dogs are welcome, so the whole family can come.
This one opens Saturday, November 21, 2026, and has cut-your-own and fresh-cut trees, wreaths and porch pots. There’s a bonfire to warm up by and an antique sleigh for photos, and they’ll shake and bale your tree for free so it rides home tidy. Hours are weekdays 1 to 5 p.m., Saturdays 9 to 5 and Sundays 10 to 5 (closed Thanksgiving Day).
About 25 minutes south of Prescott on the Great River Road, Reuvers’ has choose-and-cut and precut trees, from balsam and Fraser fir to blue spruce and white pine, plus wreaths. They’ll tie your tree for you, and the trimmings are free if you want greens for the mantel.
Whichever farm you choose, call ahead or check online for this year’s hours. Most open around Thanksgiving weekend, and the best trees go early.
Drive south down the Great River Road to Pepin, where Villa Bellezza turns into what it calls Wisconsin’s Prettiest Christmas Market. The whole winery is built like a little Italian village around a piazza with a fountain in the middle, and at Christmas it’s draped in greens and lights. Outdoor stalls fill the piazza, more crafters set up inside the Great Hall, and there’s pizza and pastries to share while you shop.
Let the kids pick out an ornament, find a table under the heated porticos and get hot drinks all around. Grown-ups, the mulled wine on the piazza is worth the trip.
Good to know: The market runs every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 14 through December 20, 2026. The weekend brunch buffet runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. if you want to arrive hungry. The winery’s Tree Lighting is November 13 at 6 p.m.
On the way, stop in Stockholm for a slice of pie at Stockholm Pie & General Store. From November through December, they make an eggnog custard pie, and the general store side is full of vintage candy and old-fashioned toys the kids will want to touch.
This is the big one. Near St. Croix Falls, a little over an hour north of Prescott, Miracle at Big Rock covers the hills at Big Rock Creek with more than 25 million lights. On walk-through nights, there are sledding hills, live reindeer, s’mores around the fire pits, food trucks, live music and Cookies with Santa. The Miracle Market in an old barn is full of handmade gifts. The kids will talk about it all year.
Good to know: The 2026 season runs November 27 through January 2. Mondays and Tuesdays are drive-through nights (about $17 per car). Walk-through tickets run about $22 to $27 for adults and $17 to $20 for kids ages 3 to 11 online, and kids 2 and under are free. Fridays and Saturdays stay open until 10 p.m., and some nights have fireworks. Buy online to save money and skip the line, and bring a small sled for little ones if there’s fresh snow.
Before you head home, take everyone to The Kitchen Table on Broad Street in Prescott. Kids love the Birthday Cake Pancakes and hunting for the giant pen among the hundreds of funny signs on the walls, and grown-ups can warm up with a North Pole Mocha or a Cinnamon Roll Cocoa. It’s walk-in only and closed Tuesdays, so go early.
Each year, usually on the Friday after Thanksgiving at 7 p.m., Santa is escorted into Lakefront Park in Hudson and lights up thousands of lights along the St. Croix. It’s free, short and sweet, and perfect for little ones. Watch the Hudson Area Chamber for the 2026 date.
About 40 minutes away, Red Wing kicks off the season with its 25th annual Holiday Stroll on Friday, November 27, 2026. Downtown fills with shoppers, music and holiday cheer, and it’s free.
Red Wing’s historic Sheldon Theatre, with its gilded 1904 interior, is the most magical place I know to see a holiday show. This year, the Continental Ballet Company performs “The Nutcracker” there on Tuesday, December 15, at 7 p.m. Check sheldontheatre.org for tickets and other holiday shows.
Up the Rush River Valley near Maiden Rock, Vino in the Valley usually opens a few Christmas weekends with Santa and Mrs. Claus, tractor-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating for the kids, pizza and hot cocoa, all under a heated pavilion. Right next door, the Rush River Tree Farm sells choose-and-cut balsam, Fraser fir, Canaan and white pine. Watch their website for the 2026 dates.
Make downtown Prescott your home base and book direct with us: The Port of Prescott for boutique king suites steps from the river, Port After Dark for romantic suites made for couples, The Harbor Hotel for themed rooms and extended stays, and The Cove Guest House for downtown condos and group getaways.
