Santa Visits in the La Crosse Area: Your Holiday 2025 Guide

Planning holiday magic for your family this December?

The greater La Crosse, Wisconsin area offers more than a dozen opportunities to meet Santa—from the region's beloved 3-million-light Rotary Lights display to cozy breakfast events at historic venues. This guide covers every Santa experience we could find, organized by type so you can plan the perfect holiday outing whether you want a quick photo op or an unforgettable all-day adventure.

The best news for families: many of these Santa experiences are completely free, including the area's most spectacular options at Riverside Park and the CPKC Holiday Train. Read on for dates, times, pricing, and insider tips for each.

Rotary Lights Santa visits through December 23

The crown jewel of La Crosse holiday traditions, Rotary Lights at Riverside Park provides families with a free, magical Santa experience against a backdrop of over 3 million twinkling lights. Now in its 31st year, this beloved display draws approximately 130,000 visitors annually.

Location: Riverside Park, 410 Veterans Memorial Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601
Santa Hours: 5:00–8:00 PM nightly through December 23
Display Hours: 5:00–10:00 PM daily (Christmas Eve/Day: 5–9 PM)
Cost: FREE (donations of food or cash for Hunger Task Force encouraged)
Website: rotarylights.org | Phone: (608) 784-9993

What makes it special: Santa greets children from his Santa House while live reindeer stand nearby. The experience feels authentically magical—a 140-foot Christmas tree towers overhead, and kids can enjoy free s'mores by the fire pit while waiting. This isn't a formal photography studio; families take their own photos, creating an intimate rather than commercial experience.

Additional activities include:

• Horse-drawn carriage rides ($20/couple, $30/family) on select weekends

• Ice skating at Chad Erickson Memorial Rink (free skate rental, weather permitting)

• Live nativity presentations on weekends through Christmas

• Tune-in radio Christmas music as you drive or walk through

Accessibility highlight: The All Abilities Night on Monday, December 1 (5–8 PM) features adjusted lighting and quiet music specifically designed for sensory-sensitive visitors. A designated calming area provides a retreat if needed.

Valley View Mall brings traditional Santa photos with holiday events

For families wanting professional-quality photos in a classic mall Santa setting, Valley View Mall offers the area's primary shopping center Santa experience with photography by Cherry Hill Programs.

Location: 3800 State Road 16, La Crosse, WI 54601
Season: Mid-November through December 24, 2025
Reservations: Book at whereissanta.com/mall/1458
Photo Packages: Starting at approximately $39.99
Phone: (608) 781-4700 | Website: myvalleyview.com

Beyond standard photo sessions, the mall hosts themed Santa events throughout December:

Date Event Time What's Included Dec 6 Letters to Santa 1–3 PM Create decorated letters, snacks, North Pole mailbox drop-off Dec 8 Pet Photos with Santa 5–7 PM Small fee; first 50 pets receive gift Dec 13 Santa's Workshop 1–3 PM Holiday crafts plus Santa visit Dec 20 Crafts with Santa 1–3 PM DJ, balloon-twisting, gift-card games Dec 23 Storytime with Santa 1–3 PM Red carpet experience, stories, free book Dec 31 Noon Year's Eve ~12 PM Dance party, balloon drop, prizes

Planning tip: Pet photo day (December 8) is one evening only—arrive early if bringing furry family members.

The CPKC Holiday Train delivers a free concert and spectacular lights

One of the most unique Santa-adjacent experiences in the region, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train stops in La Crosse on December 11, 2025 as part of its cross-country food bank fundraiser tour. Since 1999, this program has raised over $26 million and 5.4 million pounds of food for communities along the route.

La Crosse Stop:
Location: 601 Saint Andrew Street (Amtrak Station)
Arrival: 8:30 PM | Concert: 8:45–9:15 PM
Cost: FREE (bring non-perishable food or cash for Hunger Task Force)

Performers: The Lone Bellow, Tiera Kennedy, Seaforth, and Alana Springsteen

Why families love it: The train itself is breathtaking—a massive locomotive wrapped in thousands of lights rolls into the station like something from a holiday movie. Children are mesmerized, and the 30-minute free concert gives families a rare opportunity to enjoy live music in an outdoor holiday setting.

Additional regional stops on December 11:

• Tomah: 5:30 PM at 205 N. Superior Avenue

• Sparta: 6:50 PM at S. Water Street & Milwaukee Street

La Crescent, MN hosts the train on December 12 at 2:15 PM (215 S. Chestnut Street)—a great option if you miss the La Crosse evening show.

Breakfast with Santa events offer intimate family experiences

For families wanting more than a photo op, several venues host sit-down breakfast and brunch events where children can spend quality time with Santa over a meal.

The Greenhouse at Bittersweet

This historic country barn and greenhouse venue creates an enchanting backdrop for one of the area's most charming Santa breakfasts.

Location: N3075 State Road 16, La Crosse, WI 54601
Dates: Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pricing: Adults (12+): $30 | Children (4–11): $25 | Under 3: FREE
Reservations: Required—purchase tickets via Eventbrite
Website: thegreenhouseatbittersweet.com

What's included: Full breakfast with hot cocoa, orange juice, and milk; Santa photos; holiday crafts; a letter-writing station (letters "mailed to the North Pole"); selfie station with balloon decorations; and gift bags for children. Adult beverages available for additional purchase.

Why it's worth booking: The venue's rustic elegance—typically used for weddings—transforms into a winter wonderland. This intimate setting offers far more one-on-one time with Santa than mall visits allow.

Holmen Area Community Center Brunch

A newer tradition perfect for families who want both Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Location: Holmen Area Community Center, Holmen, WI
Date: December 7, 2025 (Sunday following Jinglefest)
Reservations: Required (limited capacity)
Contact: Holmen Area Community Center

What's included: Brunch buffet, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, children's crafts, live music, story time room, and gift bags for all children.

Other breakfast options

• West Salem American Legion: Pancake Breakfast with Santa (December 2025—contact for date)

• Holmen American Legion: Breakfast with Santa (check La Crosse Local calendar for date)

• The Waterfront Restaurant, La Crosse: Winter Wonderland Brunch, December 7 (multiple seatings, reservations required)

Jinglefest transforms downtown Holmen into a holiday village

If you can only attend one community festival this season, make it Jinglefest—Holmen's signature holiday celebration now in its 6th year.

Location: Downtown Holmen (Main Street area)
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (Holiday Light Parade at 5:00 PM)
Cost: FREE
Website: jinglefestholmen.com

What makes it special: This isn't just a Santa photo op—it's a full day of holiday immersion. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch roam throughout the festival. Over 60 local vendors set up at the American Legion, Village Hall, and Holmen Library. Children can visit a farm animal petting experience, warm up by outdoor fire pits, or play in a bounce house.

The day culminates with the Holiday Light Parade at 5:00 PM, winding from Johnson Street to Halfway Creek Park where the Rotary Club lights the community tree. Hot cocoa flows from local merchants, and the Reindeer Run Card scavenger hunt rewards families who visit participating businesses.

German Christmas market brings Old World charm to nearby Sparta

Just 25 minutes east of La Crosse, the Sparta Kriskindlmarkt offers an award-winning European-style Christmas market experience complete with Santa and the Grinch.

Location: Downtown Sparta—Mueller Square, Water Street Bridge, Love Lock Bridge, and two villages
2025 Dates: November 28–29, December 5–6, 12–13, and 19–20
Hours: Fridays 4–8 PM (opening day starts 2 PM) | Saturdays 10 AM–8 PM
Cost: FREE admission (food, drinks, souvenirs extra)
Website: kkmsparta.com

Now in its 11th year, this market features 42 huts (33 vendor huts + 9 food huts) selling handcrafted gifts and authentic German fare: bratwurst, Bavarian pretzels, potato pancakes, and Döner kebabs. Adults can sip Glühwein (mulled wine) from collectible market mugs. New for 2025: the Love Lock Village expansion and rentable warming igloos.

Santa activities: Horse-drawn carriage rides ($5/person, $20/family), visits with Santa, and appearances by the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who. Live entertainment from Sparta Area Theater and Arts Guild adds to the Hallmark-movie atmosphere.

Free pet photos with Santa at Onalaska pet stores

Furry family members deserve holiday photos too. Both major pet retailers in Onalaska offer free Santa photo events.

PetSmart Onalaska

Address: 9342 State Road 16, Onalaska, WI 54650
Dates: December 13–14, 2025
Hours: 2:00–5:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Reservations: Book online at PetSmart's Santa Photos page
Eligible pets: Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets
Bonus: Treats members earn 5X rewards points on all in-store purchases

Petco Onalaska

Address: 1231 Crossing Meadows, Onalaska, WI
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Hours: 2:00–4:00 PM
Cost: FREE | Reservations: Walk-in
Bonus: Find "Lucky the Pickle" hiding in-store for a free treat

Community Santa visits round out your options

Several smaller venues and community organizations host Santa visits throughout December. These often offer shorter waits and more personal experiences than larger events.

Children's Museum of La Crosse

Location: 207 5th Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601
Event: Santa & Mrs. Claus Visit (December 2025—check calendar for date)
Cost: Included with museum admission
Phone: (608) 784-2652 | Website: funmuseum.org

Lights Over North La Crosse

Location: Copeland Park Shelter
Date: Late November 2025 (typically end of November)
Time: Starts 5:00 PM
Cost: FREE
What's included: Santa and Mrs. Claus with free photos, free hot dogs/hot chocolate/cookies/s'mores, toys and candy canes, tree lighting at 5:30 PM, fireworks at 6:00 PM

Signing Santa at CESA 4 Campus

Location: West Salem, WI
What's special: Santa communicates in American Sign Language—designed specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families. Contact CESA 4 for 2025 date and details.

Library Santa Events

Bangor Library hosts a free Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greet in December. Check with the Holmen Library during Jinglefest for additional activities.

Cabela's offers free professional Santa photos in Prairie du Chien

Families willing to drive approximately 50 miles south can take advantage of completely free professional Santa photos at Cabela's Santa's Wonderland.

Location: 33901 State Highway 35, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Dates: November 2–December 24, 2025
Hours: Approximately 10:00 AM–7:45 PM (15-minute slots)
Cost: FREE—includes one 4x6 studio-quality photo plus shareable digital video
Reservations: Strongly recommended at cabelas.com/santa (up to 7 days in advance)
Phone: (608) 326-5600

Group size: Up to 8 people per family
Pets: Most locations allow dogs and cats—confirm with store
Special event: Christmas Tales on Tuesdays at 5:00 PM (Nov 4–Dec 23)—Santa or Mrs. Claus reads stories, photos after

Practical tips for stress-free Santa visits

Beat the crowds: Weeknight visits to Rotary Lights (Monday–Thursday) typically see shorter lines at Santa's House. For mall photos, weekday mornings offer the best availability.

Dress in layers: December temperatures in La Crosse average 20–30°F. Outdoor events like Rotary Lights, Jinglefest, and the Holiday Train require warm coats, hats, and gloves—but venues are heated, so dress children in easy-to-remove layers.

Book breakfast events early: The Greenhouse at Bittersweet and Holmen Community Center brunch events have limited capacity and often sell out. Purchase tickets as soon as they become available.

Bring food donations: Both Rotary Lights and the CPKC Holiday Train collect donations for the Hunger Task Force. Pack non-perishable items in your car to teach children about giving back during the season.

Check for updates: Some December dates and times may shift. Verify details at lacrosselocal.com (which maintains a comprehensive "Where to See Santa" calendar), explorelacrosse.com, or individual venue websites before heading out.

Building holiday memories in the Coulee Region

The La Crosse area punches above its weight when it comes to holiday magic. From the nationally-recognized Rotary Lights—Wisconsin's largest free holiday light display—to the authentically European Sparta Kriskindlmarkt and the spectacular CPKC Holiday Train, families have access to experiences that rival much larger metropolitan areas.

The standout opportunities for 2025 include the newly expanded Jinglefest in Holmen (December 6), the intimate breakfast experience at The Greenhouse at Bittersweet (December 13–14), and the nightly Santa visits at Rotary Lights through December 23. For professional photos without the price tag, the drive to Cabela's in Prairie du Chien pays off with free studio-quality images.

Whatever you choose, the greater La Crosse area offers something rare: holiday experiences that feel genuinely community-centered rather than commercially driven. Santa visits here still carry the warmth of small-town tradition—and that may be the most magical gift of all.