Head to Janesville, Wisconsin this December for all of the holiday activities. With so many festive things to do in Janesville, you’re sure to have a wonderful time. Get ready for a holiday season filled with local shopping, amazing decorations, theater shows and lights on top of lights.
This post showcases five of the best things to do in Janesville during the holiday season including an incredible light show, a popular downtown area, and decorated Christmas Trees galore.
My 2023 visit to Janesville was in partnership with the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. As such, some activities I attended were gifted, but all opinions and reviews are my own.
When you make purchases through the links in my post, I may earn commissions at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As always, I only provide links to products and services I recommend.Read my full disclosure here.
Festive Things to Do in Janesville:
Walk Through the Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr, Janesville, WI 53545
A holiday favorite year after year is the Holiday Light Show at Janesville’s Rotary Botanical Gardens. The event turns the gardens into an incredible experience, featuring over 1.5 million lights and guiding visitors through a festive artistic wonderland. I absolutely adore the thousands of lights that the volunteers hang from the gardens’ trees. There is something so magical about walking under the canopy they create.
Grab a hot chocolate or coffee while you stroll the .67 mile-long pathway through the lights. The trail is accessible via wheelchair, stroller and wagon, although keep in mind that snowy and icy conditions may make it more difficult to maneuver.
So much work goes into this event each year and it is definitely worth the ticket. One of the volunteers I spoke with said they start putting up the lights in August, and it takes them until March to take them down each year. Add this must-see event, plus these other Holiday Lights in Wisconsin, to your list this season. The 2024 Season opens to the public on November 29, 2024 and runs through January 4, 2025.
Jolly Jingle Janesville
Downtown Janesville
Each December is Janesville’s premier holiday celebration, Jolly Jingle, which features a weekend full of festivities. Head to the city’s downtown December 6-8th, 2024 for a weekend full of holiday festivities and fun.
I attended the event in 2023 and it was spectacular. Most activities are free or very low-cost, making it a fantastic family-friendly holiday event.
Jolly Jingle features a mix of things to do in Janesville with some that are open throughout the season and others open just for the weekend. While the most popular event may be the lighted holiday parade, other favorites include the Holiday Tree Lighting and Fireworks in Courthouse Park, the Holiday Public Skate, and the Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanic Garden.
One of the new events for 2023 was the Makers Market in Olde Towne Mall which featured three floors of vendors and live music. I loved the mix of items available like home-made candles, crocheted animals, and even sweaters for your pets.
Holiday Tree Show at Lincoln-Tallman House Museum
440 N Jackson St, Janesville, WI 53548
A Janesville treasure is the Lincoln-Tallman House, which now acts as a museum and community space. The house was originally the residence of the William Tallman family, but has operated as a historic house museum since 1951. The house has incredible craftmanship and is truly a sight to see.
Each holiday season the Lincoln-Tallman House Museum is turned into a scene out of a movie and filled with more than 125 Christmas trees for the Holiday Tree Show. The trees are creatively decorated by local businesses, non-profits and community members. Holiday decor lovers and Christmas tree fanatics alike will love the Holiday Tree Show.
Today, the Rock County Historical Society operates the historic home and offers several different tours throughout the year. Of course during the holiday season, the home is decked out in holiday decor and ready to add holiday cheer.
While you enjoy the beauty of the trees, you also get to learn about the home from the knowledgeable volunteers that dedicate so much time to the preservation and history of the home. One volunteer, Jeannice, told me all about the history of the servants quarters, including bathing and bathroom practices.
Local Holiday Shopping in Downtown Janesville
Downtown Janesville
Downtown Janesville is home to several locally-owned shops and boutiques with items ranging from high-end clothing and artwork to vintage home goods and tasty candy.
I love shopping small, both because it supports local residents and families (so important!), but also because individually-owned shops have the cutest dang items and usually such great quality.
Janesville is the perfect city to spend the afternoon getting lunch and shopping with your friends. Pro tip: grab a café beverage from The Bodacious Brew before heading out for shopping.
To help get you started with your holiday shopping, here are a few awesome shop recommendations in Downtown Janesville:
- Adorn – 39 S Main St, Janesville, WI 53545
- 608 Vintage – 34 S Main St, Janesville, WI 53545
- Glass Garden – 25 W Milwaukee St, Janesville, WI 53548
- TLC Quilting – 1800 Humes Rd Suite 120, Janesville, WI 53545
- Olde Towne Mall – 20 S Main St, Janesville, WI 53545
- Velvet & Tulle Boutique – 217 W Milwaukee St, Janesville, WI 53548
During my time holiday shopping in Janesville, I found the cutest ‘Merry Christmas’ sign for my door, a mini hot pink Christmas Tree, and a candle perfect for gifting. I love that the shops offer something for everyone and at all price points.
Watch a Holiday Show at the Janesville Performing Arts Center
408 S Main St, Janesville, WI 53545
Celebrate the holidays in full spirits with a show at the Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC). For the 2024 season, enjoy either The Littlest Christmas Tree or Annie Jr. Both shows offer evening productions and matinees at reasonable prices (starting at $5 for The Littlest Christmas Tree and $8 for Annie Jr.).
The Littlest Christmas Tree is a simple Christmas musical performed by the Janesville Performing Arts Center Kids (JPAC Kids) that features 7 original songs and a script that teaches a positive lesson about love and acceptance.
Annie Jr. is also performed by JPAC Kids and is based on the Tony award-winning best musical. Families will love watching Annie grow as she searches for parents alongside her mutt, Sandy.
Janesville Performing Arts Center accommodates all, providing several seats accessible by wheelchair, hearing-assistant devices and parking accommodations. They also offer a surface lot with general parking and additional free street parking is adjacent to the building.
The Center offers shows and events throughout the year with it’s many community partners so it’s always a great option to consider when visiting Janesville.
Head to Janesville
With so many things to do in Janesville this holiday season, you’re bound to have a festive time and leave wanting to go back and explore time and time again. This city has so much to offer and is close to many other great Wisconsin cities like Madison, Door County, and Eau Claire. Have a great holiday season!
