Ripon will host its 34th-annual Dickens of a Christmas Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 8. The celebration features activities throughout the city. Things to do taking place both Friday and Saturday include checking out a Gingerbread House Contest at Farrell’s Fine Furnishings, Enchanted Forest at Horicon Bank, Ripon Historical Society Open House at 508 Watson St., Selfie Stations at Knuth Brewing Company. Guests who visit Friday will be able to enjoy the Holiday Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature area businesses, civic organizations, churches, the Ripon High School band, Santa Claus and light performers. Attendees may stop by the Village Green after for a show by
Cirque du Cham Fire Arts, who will use both LED and fire. Saturday events begin with the inaugural Run Santa Run 5k at 8 a.m., followed by Breakfast with Santa at 8:30 at Mr. & Mrs. P’s Eatery located on West Fond du Lac St. Individuals should call to make their free reservation. The Tour of Homes will also be taking place on Saturday from 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. Carriage Rides through downtown Ripon will be available from 2 to 4 p.m., with the starting point being the Village Green. A petting zoo by Whisper Hill Clydesdales will take place 4 to 8 p.m. and offers up-close interactions with a range of animals. Dickens of a Christmas’ Living Windows occurs Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Storefronts and shops will come alive with scenes and characters depicting holidays of the past, present and future. Those attending Living Windows also may enjoy holiday music, a live Nativity scene, and pictures with Santa at Ben Franklin. Other activities Saturday include Maplecrest Manor Holiday Craft Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Craft & Vendor Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plaza Bowl, Tour of Homes and Tour of Pedrick-Lawson House, Little White Schoolhouse and First Congregational Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vines & Rushes Winery, Ripon Model Railroad Club Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 635 West Oshkosh St., Union Hall Holiday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 443 Scott St., Christmas Open Market from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Heidel House 653 Illinois Ave, Green Lake, The Curiosity Shop at 221 Watson St. from 10 am to 7:30
p.m., Mid Wisconsin Visual Artist Connection Pop Up at 303 Watson St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday includes a Ripon College Holiday Concert at 2 p.m and 6 p.m. in Harwood Memorial Union’s Great Hall. For more details of the Dickens of a Christmas event, visit
https://ripon-wi.com/events/dickens-of-a-christmas-2024 or see the event page on social media. Kids can meet with Santa Dec. 7 at Mr. & Mrs. P’s
Kids of all ages may enjoy Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 7 at Mr. & Mrs. P’s Eatery, 1100 W. Fond du Lac St. from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Those interested should call 920-896-0696 to make their reservation for the chance to visit with Santa for any holiday wishes. There is no charge to make a reservation, and feel free to bring your own camera to take pictures. Reservations are made by calling the restaurant at 920-896-0696 during business days/hours 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more details of the Dickens of a Christmas event, visit https://ripon-wi.com/events/dickens-of-a-christmas-2024 or follow the chamber on social media.
Get ready for the 5th-annual Dickens Holiday Parade
The Dickens Holiday Parade will be held Friday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Ripon. Parade entries may include local businesses, service organizations, civic organizations, school clubs, musical groups and more. “The Holiday Parade of Lights is the best way to kick off the weekend and it’s amazing to see the way it lights up our beautiful downtown,” Ripon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes said. Parade entries should decorate their entry with as many lights as possible to “light up” the
streets. A visit from Santa will conclude the parade. To register, visit https://ripon-wi.com/events/2024-dickens-parade-sign-up or call the Ripon
Chamber of Commerce at 920-748-6764.
Enchanted Forest offers a holiday wonderland
The Ripon High School Key Club will host The Dickens of a Christmas 2024 Enchanted Forest Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Ripon. This year’s Enchanted Forest will take place at Horicon Bank, 400 Watson St. and there is no cost for admission. Visitors to the Enchanted Forest may enjoy a variety of Christmas trees decorated by service, civic and community organizations and then vote for their favorite tree. Hours for the Enchanted Forest are Friday Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7
from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more details of the Dickens of a Christmas event, visit https://ripon-wi.com/events/dickens-of-a-christmas-2024 or follow the chamber on social media.
American Legion drive-up chili event will kickoff Dickens
The Ripon American Legion will hold a drive-up chili event to kickoff the Dickens of a Christmas weekend on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 113 E. Fond du Lac St. For more details and the full schedule please visit the chamber’s website at
Bakers wanted for Ripon’s gingerbread house contest
The aroma of holiday spices, candy canes, sugar gumdrops, and gingerbread soon will swirl through the air in historic downtown Ripon during the Dickens of a Christmas Gingerbread House Contest at Farrell’s Fine Furnishings. The contest is part of Ripon’s 34th-annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration, which takes
place Dec. 6 to 8. The planning committee is looking for bakers to create gingerbread creations for this event. Two categories are offered: children 14 and under; and an adult/family category. Parents are welcome to guide their children who enter the children’s category, but they are asked to leave the creativity and most of the construction up to their kids. Two prizes will be awarded in the adult/family category with first place receiving a $150 cash prize. The children’s winner will be awarded $50. Entries, along with a $10 entry fee, must be delivered to Farrell’s Fine Furnishings, 214 Watson St., in downtown Ripon, by Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The public may vote for their favorite piece beginning Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. during the Dickens Holiday Parade. The gingerbread houses will remain on display at Farrell’s throughout the Dickens weekend.
This year’s Dickens festival will showcase a variety of holiday activities throughout the community, such as the Holiday Parade on Friday evening and more. The highlight of the
weekend is the Dickens Living Windows event, which features numerous storefronts decorated with live characters portraying classic Christmas-themed scenes. The Living Windows are on display Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information on the gingerbread house contest, call Troy Farrell at 920-748-6370. For more information on the Dickens of a Christmas event, visit https://ripon-wi.com/events/dickens-of-a-christmas-2024 or follow the chamber on social media.
Take the Tour of Homes during Dickens
A variety of beautiful, historic, and newer homes will be featured in Ripon’s Annual Holiday Tour of Homes Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each location will showcase unique design elements and exquisite holiday décor throughout the tour.
The locations for the tour include:
● The Arnetveit’s (W13827 Skyline Circle);
● The Becker’s (121 W. Thorne St..);
● The Clements’ (903 Nordane Ave.);
● The McCarthy’s (536 Watson St.);
● The Peer’s (500 Eureka St.);
● The Reeves’ (954 Watson St.);
● Little White Schoolhouse (1074 W. Fond du Lac St.);
● The Pedrick-Lawson Home (515 Ransom St.);
● First Congregational Church (220 Ransom St.).
Tour tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. Advance tickets may be purchased online at Eventbrite or at the Ripon Chamber (cash only). Tickets may be purchased day-of at the Chamber of Commerce. (401 Watson St.) For more information, https://ripon-wi.com/events/dickens-of-a-christmas-2024 or follow the
chamber on social media.
Selfie Stations at Knuth Brewing Company
Capture the holiday spirit at our Jingle & Snap: Dickens Selfie Stations, brought to you by I Do
Decorating! Promising cozy holiday vibes, these beautifully crafted backdrops are the perfect
setting for your festive photos. Don’t miss this enchanting opportunity to make memories that
sparkle! Whether you’re visiting Knuth Brewing for their amazing brews or just popping in for
some holiday fun, head upstairs to snap away and share the joy. Available during Knuth
Brewing Company’s hours on Friday, December 6th and Saturday December 7th from 11:00 am
-10:00 pm. Additionally, there will be a photo booth by Midwest Photography sponsored by
Eden Senior Care available during Living Windows on Saturday from 3:30-7:30 pm.
