Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by trolley. Each December downtown fills with a lighted parade, a tree lighting and a cocoa bar, and the city's holiday gatherings go back at least to carol singing in Wilson Park in 1964.
2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
We are confirming this season's Christmas events in Eau Claire with every host. Subscribe and we'll email you the day they are released.
Free. One email a week with new events in Eau Claire. Unsubscribe anytime.
The story of Christmas in Eau Claire
How Eau Claire celebrates
Eau Claire kicks off winter in the downtown core. Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. has hosted a Let It Glow tree lighting at Haymarket Plaza, and its sixth annual edition in 2019 meant the tradition started around 2014. Kids played in snow banks, picked up glow sticks and drank free hot chocolate before a countdown lit the tree. Afterward the crowd walked to Phoenix Park for more lights, the Clearwater Winter Parade and fireworks. The oldest holiday scene in our sources is from 1964, when families gathered in Wilson Park to sing carols at a Nativity display while the Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps served as color guard.
Christmas last year in Eau Claire
The 2025 season centered on two downtown days. On Friday, Dec 5, the Clearwater Winter Parade rolled along W. Grand Ave and down First Ave with the theme Under The Sea. It had roughly 50 floats and 74 community volunteers, opened with fireworks, and Grace Lutheran Church ran a warming center with free drinks and snacks. On Saturday, Dec 6, Haymarket Holiday ran from noon to 4 pm at Haymarket Plaza near the Pablo Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by trolley at noon, and kids had a cocoa bar, crafts, free trolley rides and a mailbox for letters to Santa.
Fun facts about Christmas in Eau Claire
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by trolley at Haymarket Holiday, instead of a sleigh, thanks to the Chippewa River Trolley Co. The Clearwater Winter Parade picks a new theme each year, and 2025 was Under The Sea, with awards such as Best Use of Lights and Most Entertaining float. Eau Claire's Santa season also includes a Santa Cycle Rampage, a social bike ride with Santas and other holiday characters. Nearby Osseo hosts its own lighted Christmas parade, listed as its 38th annual in 2025, with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Garber Bandshell.
Traditions today
- Clearwater Winter Parade: A lighted downtown parade on a Friday evening in early December, with themed floats and fireworks.
- Haymarket Holiday: A free downtown afternoon with a cocoa bar, crafts, trolley rides and Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by trolley.
- Let It Glow tree lighting: A Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. event at Haymarket Plaza that began around 2014, with glow sticks and hot chocolate.
- Santa Cycle Rampage: A social bike ride where riders dress as Santas and other holiday characters.
- Osseo Lighted Christmas Parade: A nearby village parade with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Garber Bandshell.
A fact for kids
In Eau Claire, Santa and Mrs. Claus ride into town on a trolley. Kids can then mail a letter to Santa in a special mailbox.
Questions about Christmas in Eau Claire
What is the Clearwater Winter Parade in Eau Claire?
The Clearwater Winter Parade is Eau Claire's lighted holiday parade through downtown. In 2025 it ran on Friday, Dec 5, with the theme Under The Sea, roughly 50 floats and 74 community volunteers. It travels along W. Grand Ave and then down First Ave, and fireworks opened the night.
When is the Clearwater Winter Parade held?
It is held on a Friday evening in early December. In 2025 it was Dec 5, and the 2026 listing from the local tourism bureau shows Friday, Dec 4 at 6:30 pm. Dress warmly, because families stand outside along the route. The Visit Eau Claire holiday page has the current details.
What is Let It Glow in Eau Claire?
Let It Glow is a downtown tree lighting hosted by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. at Haymarket Plaza. Its sixth annual edition was in 2019, so it began around 2014. Kids played in snow banks, got glow sticks and enjoyed free hot chocolate and holiday music before a countdown lit the tree.
What happens at Haymarket Holiday?
Haymarket Holiday is a free, all ages downtown afternoon hosted by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. In 2025 it ran noon to 4 pm on Dec 6 near the Pablo Center, with a cocoa bar, kids crafts, free trolley rides and a mailbox for letters to Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by trolley at noon.
How do Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Eau Claire?
At Haymarket Holiday they arrive by trolley, courtesy of the Chippewa River Trolley Co. In 2025 the arrival was at noon on Dec 6 Kids can then drop a letter in Santa's mailbox, and there were free trolley rides that afternoon too.
Where can kids meet Santa in Eau Claire?
Kids have met Santa at several places in recent seasons. In 2025 the tourism bureau listed photos at Oakwood Mall, Saturday visits at Metropolis Resort, a breakfast at River Prairie Center and Haymarket Holiday downtown. Places and times change every year, so check the Visit Eau Claire holiday page for this season.
What is the Santa Cycle Rampage?
It is a social bike ride around Eau Claire where riders dress as Santas and other holiday characters. In 2025 it rolled out from Haymarket Plaza at 1 pm on Dec 6, right after Santa arrived. It is a fun silly sight for kids to watch, though it is a ride and not a formal Santa visit.
Is there a Christmas parade near Eau Claire besides Clearwater?
Yes, the village of Osseo holds a lighted Christmas parade each year. The tourism bureau listed the 38th annual in 2025 and shows the 39th for Friday, Nov 27, 2026 at 7 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus are at the Garber Bandshell in Central Park for photos around the parade.
What is the oldest Christmas tradition we can find in Eau Claire?
The earliest one in our sources is carol singing in Wilson Park. Just before Christmas in 1964, families gathered downtown to sing at a Nativity display, with the Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps as color guard. It shows that public holiday gatherings downtown go back many decades.
Who runs the downtown holiday events in Eau Claire?
Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. hosts the downtown tree lighting and Haymarket Holiday. The group, often called DECI, organized Let It Glow at Haymarket Plaza and the 2025 Haymarket Holiday near the Pablo Center. The Clearwater Winter Parade is a separate community parade through downtown with many volunteers and local business and group floats.
What themes does the Clearwater Winter Parade use?
It uses a new theme each year, and the 2025 theme was Under The Sea. Floats compete for awards, including Best Use of Lights, Best Use of Theme and Most Entertaining. In 2025 the lights award went to the L.E. Phillips Senior Center, and En Avant School of Dance won Most Entertaining.
How can I explain the Santa Cycle Rampage to a young child?
Tell them that grown-ups dress up as Santas and other holiday characters and ride bikes together through downtown, just for fun. It is a silly parade on two wheels. In 2025 it left Haymarket Plaza at 1 pm on Dec 6, so kids can wave, count the Santas and cheer.
Is there a warming spot at the Clearwater Winter Parade?
In 2025, Grace Lutheran Church opened a warming center during the parade with free drinks, snacks and activities. That is handy for little ones when December nights get cold. Wisconsin evenings can be icy, so bring layers anyway, and check the parade listing for this year's plans.
Are Eau Claire's holiday events free?
Many of the downtown ones are. Haymarket Holiday in 2025 was free and open to all ages, with free trolley rides, and the Let It Glow tree lighting served free hot chocolate. Photos with Santa elsewhere may need booking, as at Oakwood Mall in 2025. Prices vary each year.
What do kids do at the Haymarket Holiday cocoa bar?
The cocoa bar is part of the free Haymarket Holiday afternoon downtown. In 2025 it sat alongside kids crafts, free trolley rides and the mailbox for letters to Santa. It gives children something to do while they wait for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive.
What was the fireworks tradition at the parade?
Fireworks opened the 2025 Clearwater Winter Parade night. A 2019 account also described the evening as moving from the Haymarket Plaza tree lighting to Phoenix Park for more lights, the parade and fireworks. For young children, mention the loud booms ahead of time and bring ear protection for toddlers.
Where is Haymarket Plaza in Eau Claire?
Haymarket Plaza is in downtown Eau Claire near the Pablo Center and it is the base for Haymarket Holiday and the tree lighting tradition. Phoenix Park is a short walk away and has been part of the winter lights evening. Check the Haymarket Holiday listing for this season's schedule.
Are the trolley rides at Haymarket Holiday free?
Yes, in 2025 the trolley rides at Haymarket Holiday were free. The trolleys come from the Chippewa River Trolley Co., which also brought Santa and Mrs. Claus to the plaza at noon on Dec 6. The afternoon ran from noon to 4 pm near the Pablo Center, so little ones can ride and then visit the cocoa bar.
Do Eau Claire families get snow for Christmas?
It varies by year. At the 2019 Let It Glow tree lighting, children played in snow banks, which shows winter weather is part of the local celebration. Because December in Wisconsin can be cold, parents usually plan for boots, mittens and layers at outdoor events like the parade and tree lighting.
How can I help my toddler enjoy a December parade in Eau Claire?
Arrive early, bring warm layers and pick a spot near a warming area if you can. The 2025 Clearwater Winter Parade had about 50 floats, fireworks at the start and a church warming center with snacks. Talk with your child beforehand about lights, music and loud bangs so nothing feels surprising.
Sources
- Make it a Haymarket Holiday: seasonal shindig downtown Eau Claire, Volume One
- Photos: Under the Sea 2025 Clearwater Parade, Eau Claire, Volume One
- Let It Glow! celebrates the beginning of wintertime in Eau Claire, The Spectator
- Kid History: it came upon a midnight clear, Volume One
- Where to find Santa in Eau Claire, WI, Visit Eau Claire
- Christmas in Eau Claire, WI, Visit Eau Claire