The holiday season is a time for friends, fun, and festivities, and Lake Geneva is the perfect place to make merry memories. With an abundance of festive spirit and cozy gathering spots, it’s the perfect place to come together with friends and celebrate. Here’s how to make your holiday season unforgettable in Lake Geneva
Sharing Some Holiday Spirits
Lake Geneva is home to some fantastic breweries, wineries, distilleries, and tasting rooms that offer a relaxed atmosphere for holiday gatherings. These laid-back venues provide great opportunities to unwind with friends while enjoying locally crafted drinks. Many of them have seasonal brews and wines, making it a fun way to celebrate with friends while indulging in local flavors. Check out some of our favorites!
Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries
Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company | N5543 County Road O, Elkhorn | 262-729-9771
This 5th generation family farm produces hand crafted beers and seltzers year-round. You'll find 20 different styles of beer pouring in their tap room where you can gather with friends while playing a little trivia or bingo, listening to music, and celebrating the season. Join them early in December and you'll find a holiday market perfect for a little early seasonal shopping.
Mashtun Social Brewery & Taproom | 700 Veterans Parkway #203, Lake Geneva | 262-999-4677
Swing by Lake Geneva's newest local brewery for seasonal brews and the best grilled cheese around! This cozy little brewery offers a rotating selection of beers and hard seltzers in a friendly and casual atmosphere. Grab your besties and spend an afternoon planning the rest of your holiday festivities.
Topsy Turvy Brewery | 727 Geneva Street, Lake Geneva | 262-812-8323
Situated in an old church, with tall ceilings and original stained glass windows, this local brewery and tap room takes going to church to a new level. They offer an ever-rotating selection of seasonal brews and hard seltzers crafted on-premise, as well as some selections from other locally breweries. There's always music playing and you'll even find Santa making an appearance in early December.
Geneva Lake Distilling & Winery | 401 Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva | 262348-9100
This local favorite is a wine studio, art studio, and a music studio all in one. They offer a wide selection of wines made on premise, and they recently started distilling spirits too. Most weekends you'll find music playing and while you and your friends are celebrating the season you can do a little shopping in their art gallery.
Staller Estate Vineyard & Winery | W8896 County Highway A, Delavan | 608-883-2100
Grab your friends and family and head out to this rural winery, the drive is definitely worth it. With beautiful views of the countryside, unique regional wines and distilled spirits, and a menu of fabulous tasting boards this is the perfect place for an afternoon of holiday celebrating.
Rush Creek Distilling | 1501 West Diggins Street, Harvard, IL | 815-943-7874
Our neighbors to the south in the dairy capital of Illinois also have a wonderfully cozy distillery that is worth the drive. These distillers take their craft seriously, and your group will surely enjoy an evening tasting their lovingly crafted spirits while playing some trivia, listening to music, or catching a game. They've got snacks to keep your crew happy too.
Tasting Rooms
The Bottle Shop | 617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva | 262-348-9463
Offering a selection of 800+ wines, craft spirits, craft soda, and craft beer, the Bottle Shop is a place where people can gather with friends at their European wine bar or in their cozy lounge. Enjoy live music, a full library of games, and a little comedy while celebrating the season with friends.
Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar | 835 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva | 262-248-1948
You'll find unobstructed views of Geneva Lake from any seat in the house along with friendly, knowledgeable service and occasional live acoustic music. This cozy spot is perfect for enjoying your favorite cocktails and wine, or signature specialties and seasonal offerings with loved ones.
Geneva Tap House | 252 Broad St., Lake Geneva | 262-812-8099
This local favorite offers a special experience for any group. You'll find a fun and exciting way to try something new and may find your new favorite drink! Pour a small sample, half a glass, or a full pint. It's all up to you! With live music and fun game nights it's the perfect place for a holiday gathering.
Hill Valley Cheese Bar | 510/512 Broad St., Lake Geneva | (262) 203-5578
In a world filled with fast food and fleeting conversations, finding genuine connections over a shared love of good food and fine wine is as rare as a perfectly aged gouda. This quaint shop a few blocks from downtown offers an array of cheese boards, wine flights, and local brews to suit every palate.
Niche Café & Wine Bar | 715 Hunt Club Dr., Lake Geneva | 262-581-6800
Niche is an excellent gathering place for your wine connoisseur friends. Taste your way through a variety of fine wines from whites to reds, dry to full bodied, small batch to popular, local to international. You'll find music playing, small plate snacks, and a neighborhood feel in this local establishment.
Igloo Experiences
For a unique and cozy holiday adventure with your friends and family, check out the igloo experiences at one of our area hotels and resorts. Surrounded by twinkling lights under a starry Wisconsin sky, you won’t find a better way to share the holiday spirit!
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa | 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva | Igloo details HERE
Maxwell Mansion | 304 S, Wells St., Lake Geneva | Igloo details HERE
Lodge Geneva National | W4240 State Highway 50, Lake Geneva | Snow globe details HERE
Lake Lawn Resort | 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan | Igloo details HERE
Holiday Markets and Shopping Adventures
Strolling through downtown Lake Geneva is a holiday tradition in itself. The streets are adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. With lots of quaint boutiques and specialty shops, you’ll find plenty of unique gifts and décor items. From artisan crafts and locally made goodies to specialty holiday-themed items, Lake Geneva offers a shopping experience that’s a far cry from big-box stores. Explore the eclectic mix of stores with friends, enjoy holiday discounts, and refuel with seasonal lattes or hot chocolate from a nearby café.
Lake Geneva also has an array of holiday markets and artisan fairs where you can find handcrafted gifts, artwork, and holiday treats. Featuring local artisans, bakers, and crafters who showcase unique holiday items you won’t find anywhere else. You and your friends can support local businesses, pick out gifts for each other, and stock up on holiday goodies!
Festive Events and Activities
Keep an eye out for special holiday events and activities in Lake Geneva. From tree lighting ceremonies to holiday parades, there’s always something happening in the community. Participating in community festivities is a great way to soak up the holiday spirit.
Lake Geneva is a wonderful destination to celebrate the holidays with friends. Whether you prefer cozy sipping experiences, indulgent shopping adventures, or festive events, there is a holiday happening for everyone. So gather your friends, embrace the holiday spirit, and create unforgettable memories this season in our lakeside town!