2025 Shine On Madison
Celebrate the season & support local!
Join us as we light up downtown and celebrate the season!
Head here to see a list of holiday and winter events from our partners.
SHINE ON MADISON HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Head downtown for a seasonal lighting ceremony at Lisa Link Peace Park on November 22! This fun event is the perfect pre-Thanksgiving activity for the whole family. Join us as we turn on on all our lighting décor on State St., the Capitol Square and King St. Event runs 4-6pm with our lighting ceremony taking place at 5pm!
The event will include:
- Free coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies (while supplies last)
- A special visit by Santa & Mrs Claus
- Special guests & more!
SHINE ON MADISON MAP
Coming soon
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
November 28-30
State St, King St, Capitol Square
Holiday activities including the FREE shopping gift bags filled with goodies, and shopping specials from downtown businesses, live music, special performances from Kids in the Rotunda, and more.
Find Holiday Open House Details here!
Find business specials
here
.
WINDOW DECOR SCAVENGER HUNT
November 23 - December 20
State St, King St, Capitol Square
Downtown businesses will hide items in their window displays for you to find! Find them all and you can be entered to win prizes. Beginning on November 23, pick up your scavenger hunt card at the Downtown Visitor Center at 452 State St., open 11am-5pm daily.
SANTA IN THE CITY
Bring the whole family downtown on select dates to share in the magic of the season with the big man himself. Dates, times & location coming soon.
HOT COCOA WALK
December 7, 1-4pm
Taste samples of a variety of hot cocoa flavors at some of your favorite downtown businesses while you
LEARN MORE
COOKIE WALK
December 14, 1-4pm
You'll enjoy cookie samples and cookie decorating demonstrations at participating businesses in the district. Participating businesses will offer a sale, special or featured item.
LEARN MORE
HOLIDAY CAROLERS
The Holiday Carolers are volunteer singing groups who will stroll State Street and the Capitol Square to serenade visitors. Caroling groups will start at Peace Park.
Saturday, December 6
11am-1pm - TBD
1pm-3pm - TBD
Saturday, December 13
11am-1pm - TBD
1pm-3pm - TBD
Saturday, December 20
11am-1pm - TBD
1pm-3pm - TBD
Madison’s Central Business Improvement District’s (BID),
unified Downtown Holiday Celebration called “Shine On Madison” continues in 2025. Shine On Madison is six-week community event, started in 2017 to increase visibility and traffic to businesses downtown, includes a seasonal lighting ceremony, a special focus on downtown retailers, enjoyment of the arts and a strong sense of community. This year the event is November 22 – December 31, 2025.
Special Thanks
Shine On Madison is brought to you by Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, Steve Brown Apartments, and Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID).
2025 Sponsors
Give the gift of Downtown!
Support Downtown Madison with our Virtual Gift Card Program. These eGift cards can be emailed, can be loaded on a phone and can be used right away!
Get started with yours here!
