What's Happening in Jefferson County? November 22 - 27, 2010

River North Dance Company - November 22, 2010
River North Chicago dancers can serve up just about any style of dance steps - Broadway, modern, ballroom, acrobatics, African beat and '50's jazz. Purchase tickets online from the Young Auditorium in Whitewater, or call.
(262) 472-2222 - Young Auditorium - Whitewater

Tree Lighting Ceremony in Lake Mills - November 26, 2010
Kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving in Lake Mills. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is held in Commons Park at 6pm. Saint Nick will be on hand to light the tree and refreshments will be available. Enjoy "A Christmas Carol" right after the tree lighting!
(920) 648-3585 - Legendary Lake Mills

Midnight Madness and the After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale - November 26-28, 2010
Start your Christmas shopping - or finish it! Either way, the deals are waiting for you at the Johnson Creek Premium Outlets.
(920) 699-4112 - Johnson Creek Premium Outlets

Winter Wonderland & Holiday Parade of Lights - November 26-27, 2010
Watertown is all decked out for the holidays, and you will find shopping and inspiration awaiting you the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. Begin your holidays here - shopping, special events and activities. Don't miss the Holiday Parade of Lights Saturday, November 27!
(920) 261-5185 - Downtown Watertown

Have You Gotten Your Third Night FREE in Jefferson County?

We know that many people have! JC Plaza Hotel alone has awarded a 3rd free night to five customers since this special began.

With such great holiday happenings coming up in November and December, don't forget to take advantage of Jefferson County's "Third Night FREE" package - stay two nights at participating lodging in Jefferson County, and get your third night free! This special is good until December 31, 2010.

It's a great way to get away for a long shopping or family weekend!

Holiday Shopping - Close to Home!

Holiday shopping just got easier! From craft fairs to Midnight Madness, you will be able to complete your whole shopping to-do list in Jefferson County.

Pick up those last-minute teacher's gifts and fill the stockings with hand-made crafts by attending the Friends of Cambridge Library Folk Craft Fair on November 6 & 7. Be sure to visit the Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson from November 7 through 27 and support the Black Hawk Artists Show and Sale. More hand-made delights can be found at the Palmyra Eagle High School on November 20 at their popular annual Holiday Bazaar.

Deer Hunting weekend (November 20-21) presents a great opportunity to attend the Deer Widow's Weekend shopping extravaganza at Johnson Creek Premium Outlets. Goodie bags will be available for the first 150 shoppers on Saturday.

Drumroll please... Yes - Thanksgiving weekend is THE shopping weekend for the upcoming holidays and Johnson Creek Premium Outlets has plenty of opportunity in store for you at their annual After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale/Midnight Madness event. Finish off your list and rest easy that your holiday shopping is done - and December has not yet begun!

Holiday Festivities in Jefferson County

There is nothing finer than ringing in the holidays on a cold, crisp early-winter afternoon than watching a parade, drinking a hot mug of cocoa, and eating freshly-made Christmas cookies. Jefferson County is full of such opportunities - make sure you mark your calendars and get to one or many of these great holiday festivities coming up in the next few weeks.

Fort Atkinson kicks off the parade season on November 13 with their Holiday Parade on historic Main Street. Held at night, the lights of the parade and nearby shop windows will be a magical introduction to all the joys the upcoming season has to offer.

The day after Thanksgiving - the turkey is a happy memory, your Christmas decorations are emerging from the attic or basement, and it is truly the beginning of the Christmas season. Lake Mills holds their annual Tree Lighting at 6pm in Commons Park with the radio drama "A Christmas Carol" immediately following. Come and watch St. Nick light the holiday tree, and enjoy seasonal refreshments. Another fun opportunity that weekend is the Winter Wonderland and Holiday Parade of Lights in Watertown. The shops will be brimming with decorations and goods for your holiday shopping. Events and activities will be held throughout the event - and don't miss the Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday!

The first weekend in December offers so many holiday festivity opportunities it will leave you breathless. (Or maybe that's the cold air that will take your breath away...). Friday night, December 3, head over to Whitewater for the unforgettable and charming Holiday Parade on Main Street. Or make your way to Lake Mills for magical carriage rides through the historic downtown streets and marvel at the beautiful seasonal decorations in the shop windows and homes. Return to Lake Mills on Saturday for a full day of activities - from a Cookie Walk to craft shows to a visit with Santa at his home-away-from-home in Commons Park. December 4 is also the day to attend many other Jefferson County parades and festivities. Fort Atkinson will host their annual Holiday Open House, offering an old-fashioned Christmas, carolers, hayrides with Santa and holiday treats. Waterloo will be brimming with seasonal fun throughout town, and especially at their Holiday Parade at 4pm. Main Street in Palmyra plays host to the Lioness Christmas Parade at 5pm. Don't miss the hot chili and beverages! Jefferson is pleased to present their 15th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights, beginning at 5:30pm. When the parade is over - don't forget to visit Santa at his other home-away-from-home. And rounding out this busy weekend is the Cambridge Country Christmas on both Saturday and Sunday. In Cambridge, you will find JOY - Saint Nickolas, strolling carolers and roasting chestnuts. You'll find MAGIC - a Live Nativity, shopping with elves, village tree lighting and a singing Christmas tree. You'll also find BEAUTY - historic store fronts twinkling with white lights, village tours in horse-drawn wagons and seasonal aromas of spiced apples and evergreens.

On December 11, you can spend the day in Waterloo celebrating "A Small Town Christmas!" Festivities will begin at 10am. In Building 29 on North Monroe Street, look for Santa's Workshop, which will include gingerbread houses and ornament-making workshops for the kids. Don't forget to get your exercise at the First Annual Cookie Walk. The Mode Theatre and Building 29 will feature local small businesses, bakers, artists, crafters, jewelry makers, and much more at the "Christmas Marketplace."

Are your calendars marked yet???

What's Happening in Jefferson County? November 15 - 21, 2010

Spamalot - November 15, 2010
Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Purchase tickets online from the Young Auditorium in Whitewater, or call.
(262) 472-2222 - Young Auditorium - Whitewater

Holiday Bazaar - November 20, 2010
This fun craft fair at the Palmyra Eagle High School has over 100 craft vendors. Doors open at 9am, and the high school is located at 123 Burr Oak Street.
(262) 495-2012

Madison Women's Expo - November 20-21, 2010
A weekend full of celebrity guests, entertainment and hundreds of exhibitors in a variety of areas including health, fitness, beauty and fashion brought to you by Brava Magazine and held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
Brava Magazine

Deer Widow's Weekend - November 20-21, 2010
What do you do when your man goes hunting? You SHOP, of course!! The Johnson Creek Premium Outlets will have goodie bags for the first 150 shoppers on Saturday. Hours are 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday; Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
(920) 699-4112 - Johnson Creek Premium Outlets

What's Happening in Jefferson County? November 5 - 13, 2010

A Fireside Christmas - Featuring "The Child" - November 4 to December 23, 2010
Make your plans to celebrate the holiday season with The Fireside's wildly popular musical revue in this unique and special Christmas offering. Act One of the show is A FIRESIDE CHRISTMAS - beautiful gowns, breath-taking dances, and exciting medleys of beloved Christmas songs. Act Two of this unforgettable Christmas show is the world premiere of a brand new musical called THE CHILD, and the audience can experience the joys of the first Christmas.
(800) 477-9505 - Fireside Theatre

Saturday Night at Tiffany's - November 6, 2010
Reserve this date to celebrate and support the Council for Performing Arts in Jefferson. This fundraiser, with the theme "SATURDAY NIGHT AT TIFFANY'S, FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK will be held in Jefferson County's own JC Plaza in Johnson Creek. Start your evening at 5:30pm with appetizers, followed by dinner as well as silent and live auctions. Reserve your spot now!
(920) 674-2179 - Council for the Performing Arts

Friends of Cambridge Library Folk Craft Fair - November 6-7, 2010
Cambridge is well-known for wonderful crafts, and this craft fair, held at the Cambridge High School, is a favorite of attendees.
(608) 423-3900 - Friends of Cambridge Library

Black Hawk Artists Show & Sale - November 7-27, 2010
Plan your visit to the Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson to see incredible artwork at this popular art show.
(920) 563-7769 - Hoard Historical Museum

'SWonderful - November 10, 2010
The Young Auditorium in Whitewater offers another great show for those lucky enough to attend. 'SWonderful is a joyous song and dance musical revue celebrating the genius of George and Ira Gershwin. Purchase tickets online from the Young Auditorium in Whitewater, or call.
(262) 472-2222 - Young Auditorium - Whitewater

Fashion Walkabout - November 11, 2010
The Garment Shop in Cambridge is sponsoring live fashion modeling at local restaurants during the lunch hour. The Garment Shop - 125 West Main Street - Cambridge
(608) 423-3740

4TROOPS - November 13, 2010
4TROOPS will amaze you - three young men and one woman who served on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. While overseas, music played a crucial and very personal role in all of their lives. They are now singing to honor all of our troops. Celebrate Veteran's Day with 4TROOPS!
(920) 674-2179 - Council for the Performing Arts

Lighted Holiday Parade in Fort Atkinson - November 13, 2010
Historic Main Street in downtown Fort Atkinson is the setting for the Lighted Holiday Parade, which kicks off the festive season in this beautiful community.
(920) 674-2179 - Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce

Broadway Comes to Jefferson County!

A favorite holiday tradition in November and December is attending some of the great plays and shows hosted by the many wonderful entertainment venues in Jefferson County.

ABBA MANIA on November 3 at the Young Auditorium in Whitewater will turn you into a Dancing Queen (or King). The Fireside in Fort Atkinson presents "The Child," their much-anticipated annual Christmas show beloved by all, from November 4 through December 23. 'SWonderful, full of lovely Gershwin tunes, is presented by the Young Auditorium on November 10. Fast forward to November 13 and enjoy 4TROOPS at the Jefferson Council for Performing Arts as they sing on behalf of all of our troops. Laugh yourself silly at Spamalot on November 15, hosted by the ever-busy Young Auditorium. And round out November by seeing the River North Dance Company at the Young Auditorium, where you will be entertained by engaging choreography and dazzling talent.

Come December, you'll want to take a break from shopping, decorating, wrapping and baking by attending some of these great shows: John McGivern's Home for the Holidays on December 3 at the Young Auditorium in Whitewater will entertain you with McGivern's take on his Catholic upbringing in 1960's Milwaukee. You can also enjoy the radio drama "A Christmas Carol" in Lake Mills at the LD Fargo Public Library that evening. At the Young Auditorium, the UW-Whitewater Music Department presents their annual Gala Holiday Concert on December 4, showcasing nearly all of the department's ensembles and small groups. One of the most traditional of all holiday shows is the Nutcracker, and you can catch that on December 11 at the Young Auditorium. Reserve your tickets with the Jefferson Council for the Performing Arts to see The Lettermen on December 19, as they croon their famous songs from the 1960's and beyond. And on the last day of 2010, make plans to go to the Fireside in Fort Atkinson to see Ring in the New 2011, where a live band and talented cast will perform songs from some of America's greatest artists.

There's no need to fly to New York City to catch the shows on Broadway when we have so many great theaters and opportunities right here in Jefferson County!