Old World Wisconsin brings back Santa as part of an immersive historical holiday program

Within the essence of Old World Wisconsin’s historical realm, you could readily address the jolly old guy in the red suit as St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas or, mostly simply, Santa.

Whatever he has been called over a stretch of time dating back to the 4th century, the historic figure will be the center of attention at a traditional Christmas breakfast event for the first time in a decade at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s living history campus in Eagle in December.

And Old World Wisconsin’s Breakfast With Santa doesn’t tell the whole story. The historical center will again present its Home for the Holidays immersive experiences, sending attendees to Christmas spirits of the past and holiday legends on consecutive weekends, Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14, according to details provided by WHS.

Holiday season has its own unique history and ethnic legends

Like its Legends and Lore program geared toward Halloween, the seasonal program turns the 600-acre regional history center into a themed attraction, making use of its grounds and buildings depicting 19th-and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. The interactive environments and immersive stories are all about Christmas and other holiday celebrations during this time of the year.

“Here you can see the decorations, taste the foods and participate in the traditions that many of the people who called Wisconsin home in the 1800s might have experienced,” Dan Hess, general manager of experiences and events at Old World, said in an email interview. “Guests are able to get a sense of what it was like to celebrate those holidays then and see where many of our traditions might have come from.”

Among the 20 immersive experiences is a 19th-century Christmas Morning “Cobweb Party,” featuring a display in which colorful strings crisscross a room. Another exhibit depicts Santa’s workshop, and visitors can also meet a Victorian-era St. Nick, a factual character drawn from history books.

Ethnic attractions include Krampus, the “mischievous figure” from German and Austrian folklore who, as legend has it, spies naughty children. A 14-foot-tall Julebock, a giant straw goat, symbolizes Christmas in the Scandinavian and Northern European countries.

In addition to the live music in Caldwell Hall, there’s also an opportunity to join an English tradition: wassailing around the apple tree, a ritual to inspire a bountiful harvest in the year ahead.

Old World Wisconsin becomes its own tradition

Sometimes, an attraction based on history becomes historical itself. As Old World Wisconsin, one of 12 WHS historic sites and museums, approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, the holiday programs have largely been a mainstay event annually.

“Home for the Holidays has become a tradition for many of our guests,” Hess said.

It has gone by other names, he said. Old World Christmas. Christmas Through the Years. It’s evolved over time, with different takes and different stories of the season. “Today, we share stories of Christmas as well as many of the other holidays that people celebrated in Wisconsin during this festive season,” Hess added.

A piece of that tradition, Breakfast with Santa, went missing for a while. Renovations and additions at Old World Wisconsin likely played a part, but the reason isn’t clear as a snowflake crystal. “I am not sure why it was discontinued exactly, but it became a Holiday/Christmas brunch for a few years before the pandemic,” Hess said.

At least recent campus enhancements — including the new old Brewhouse, Wittnebel’s Tavern, the new Welcome Center Clausing Barn kitchen renovations — make live events not only doable, but better, he said.

“We are excited to be able to start offering events like Breakfast with Santa again,” Hess said.

Admission choices include option for added-cost breakfast

As with past seasonal events, guests can access the Old World Wisconsin grounds, W372 S9727 Highway 67, with an admission fee. For those who want Breakfast with Santa, the added fee includes both breakfast and general admission.

For Home for the Holidays, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each of the four days, it’s $22 for adults and teens, $20 for seniors (65 and older), $17 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for younger children.

In addition to admission to Home for the Holidays, Breakfast with Santa, which runs only from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Clausing Barn, includes a buffet breakfast, a photo with Santa and a special holiday Teddy Bear gift. The cost is $52 (ages 13 to 64), $40 for seniors, $25 for ages 5 to 12, and free for younger children.

A horse-drawn wagon ride, with an added cost of $6 per person and complete with jingling sleigh bells, is also available.

Reservations are required for the breakfast, while advanced registration is recommended for Home for the Holidays online at oldworldwisconsin.org.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at  [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Old World Wisconsin brings back Santa as part of an immersive historical holiday program

Reporting by Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect