Annual Scarecrow Contest
October 3 - 31, 2026
Month-long downtown fall scarecrow display, October 3–31. Entry drop-off is October 3, 8 a.m.–noon at the downtown farmers market; judging begins at noon.
Sun Prairie Outdoor Farmers Market — Saturdays
October 3 - 31, 2026
Downtown Saturday market with local farmers, artisan food producers and makers. Open only Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, from 7 a.m.–noon.
Wisconsin Science Festival
October 15 - 25, 2026
Ten-day science, art and technology festival
Haunted Hustle
October 24, 2026
Halloween-themed run/walk. Race starts: kids 8:50 AM; half marathon 9 AM; 10K 9:10 AM; 5K run 9:20 AM; dog jog 9:26 AM; 5K walk 9:27 AM.
Autumn Artisan Faire
October 24, 2026 • 11 AM - 4 PM
Artisan and vendor event at The Bruce Company
The Big Gay Spooky Market
October 25, 2026 • 10 AM - 4 PM
Inclusive seasonal market featuring local makers at Wisconsin Rugby Club.
Spooktacular
October 29, 2026 • 2 - 5 PM
Downtown trick-or-treating, characters, music and activities
Creepy Crawl
October 29, 2026 • 6 - 8:30 PM
Halloween-season event along Military Ridge Trail. Less scary hike: 6–7 PM; scarier hike: 7:15–8:15 PM. Activities continue until 8:30 PM.
Main Street Trick-or-Treat
October 30, 2026 • 3 - 5 PM
Downtown family trick-or-treat event
Halloween Spooktacular
October 30, 2026 • 5 - 7:15 PM
Community Halloween celebration. Music begins at 5 PM; costume parade at 5:30 PM; preregistered egg hunt at 6:15 PM; movie at 6:30 PM.
Community Trick-or-Treating
October 31, 2026
Community Halloween trick-or-treat event. Begins at 4 PM; see the village calendar for details.
Madison Hmong New Year
October 31 - November 1, 2026
Annual celebration of Hmong culture, traditions, ancestors and the upcoming new year at Alliant Energy Center.
Yahara Witches Paddle
October 31, 2026
Seasonal costumed paddle event. Listed for October 31 on Discover Monona; check the organizer link for weather and launch details.
Pop-Up Beer Garden: Country Campfire
November 4, 2026
Campfire atmosphere, s'mores, music, drinks and food trucks
We Stand on Their Shoulders: A History of Wisconsin Women and Voting
November 5 - December 2, 2026
Wisconsin Historical Society exhibit at Waunakee Public Library. On display during library opening hours; check the library schedule before visiting.
Girls on the Run Fall 5K
November 7, 2026
Annual community 5K at Waunakee Village Center. Grounds open at 7:45 AM; warm-up and wave line-up at 8:30 AM; 5K wave starts begin at 9 AM.
Sun Prairie Indoor Winter Farmers Market — Saturdays
November 7 - December 26, 2026
Indoor winter farmers market at Westside Community Services Building. Saturdays, 9 AM–noon. This listing covers November and December; check the market link for holiday exceptions.
Winter Art Fair Off the Square
November 7 - 8, 2026
Wisconsin artist fair at Monona Terrace. Saturday 9 AM–5 PM; Sunday 10 AM–4 PM.
Madison Marathon Weekend
November 13 - 15, 2026
Marathon, half marathon, 10K and race expo. Expo: Friday 3–7 PM and Saturday 10 AM–4 PM. Sunday full and half marathon start at 7 AM; 10K starts at 7:20 AM.
Holiday Fantasy in Lights
November 14 - December 31, 2026
Free nightly holiday light display at Olin Park. Lights come on at dusk each night. Candy canes are available 4:30–10 PM nightly.
Native Art Market
November 14, 2026 • 10 AM - 5 PM
Native artists, workshops and special events
Half Hour History: Ho-Chunk Oral & Written Traditions
November 18, 2026
Free cultural and history program at Driftless Historium. Begins at 1 PM. Presented by Ho-Chunk Deer Clan member William Quackenbush; free, no registration required.
Flannel Fest
November 20, 2026
Annual fall music and community festival at the Barrymore Theatre benefiting the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund.
Waunakee Wine Walk: Denim & Diamonds
November 20, 2026 • 5 - 8 PM
Downtown wine and shopping event
Dane County Holiday Farmers' Market
November 21, 2026 • 7:30 AM - 12 PM
Indoor holiday market at Monona Terrace with more than 60 local vendors.
Sons of Norway Bake & Vendor Sale
November 21, 2026 • 8 AM - 2 PM
Scandinavian/community holiday shopping event
Holiday Fantasy in Lights Hayride
November 21, 2026 • 5 - 8 PM
Haywagon rides through Olin Park holiday lights. Rides begin at 5 PM, last approximately 20 minutes, and the last wagon departs around 7:40 PM. Weather permitting.
Black Friday Madison Maker's Market
November 27, 2026 • 12 - 5 PM
Family-friendly multi-location holiday maker market featuring more than 50 local and regional vendors.
Christmas in the Grove
December 4 - 6, 2026
Three-day community Christmas celebration. Friday: Santa at Lake Ridge Bank 3–6 PM, Main Street holiday parade 6:30 PM. Saturday: Glacial Drumlin School craft fair 9 AM–3 PM. See the event link for the developing weekend schedule.
Victorian Holiday Weekend
December 4 - 6, 2026
Annual downtown celebration of Stoughton's heritage with holiday lights, shopping, food, drinks and festive window displays. December 4–6 weekend, as listed by participating downtown merchant Wish Upon Boutique; full organizer schedule is coming soon.
Dane County Holiday Farmers' Market
December 5, 2026 • 7:30 AM - 1 PM
Indoor holiday market at Monona Terrace with more than 60 local vendors.
HolidayFest Arts & Crafts Fair
December 5, 2026 • 9 AM - 3 PM
Annual Warner Park holiday fair featuring Midwest crafters and handmade gifts.
Main Street Mistletoe Market
December 5, 2026 • 10 AM - 3 PM
Holiday market at Village Hall
A Very Swedish Christmas
December 10, 2026 • 4:30 - 6 PM
Hands-on children's holiday history program at Driftless Historium. Free for grades K–4; registration required; capacity 20 children.
Wisconsin Chamber Choir: Christmas with J.S. Bach & Margaret Bonds
December 12, 2026
Holiday choral concert at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 PM. See the concert link for tickets and details.
Dane County Holiday Farmers' Market
December 12, 2026 • 7:30 AM - 12 PM
Indoor holiday market at Monona Terrace with more than 60 local vendors.
Vintage Holiday Decorations: A Glimpse of Christmas Past
December 16, 2026
Holiday history program at Driftless Historium. Begins at 1 PM; presented by collector Darren Walker. Free, no registration required.
The Big Gay Holiday Market
December 18 - 19, 2026
Two-day holiday marketplace featuring local LGBTQ+ makers at Alliant Energy Center. Daily hours are to be announced; see organizer updates at the link below.
Dane County Holiday Farmers' Market
December 19, 2026 • 7:30 AM - 12 PM
Indoor holiday market at Monona Terrace with more than 60 local vendors.
Starkweather Winter Solstice Celebration
December 21, 2026
Annual winter solstice gathering celebrating community and nature.
Sleigh Bell Slam 2026
December 28, 2026 • 8 AM - 4 PM
High school girls wrestling tournament, hosted by Poynette Panther Youth Wrestling.