As autumn paints Beaver Dam in rich hues of gold and crimson, the city gears up for its most spirited celebration of the season: Fall Downtown Fest & Casket Races, happening Saturday, Oct. 25. What begins as a day filled with costumes, community, and a dash of spooky fun soon gives way to a calendar brimming with holiday cheer and winter traditions.
A spirited send-off to fall
Downtown Beaver Dam comes alive on Saturday, Oct. 25, for Fall Downtown Fest & Casket Races, a day packed with family-friendly fun and festive entertainment. From trick-or-treating at local businesses and enjoying seasonal flavors from food trucks and local vendors and restaurants to exploring the craft market and strolling through downtown, there’s something for everyone.
Adding to the fall charm, Scarecrows on Parade line the downtown streets, each creatively themed and bursting with seasonal whimsy, creating a perfect backdrop for photos and adding festive flair to every block.
The Casket Races remain the festival’s star attraction. Teams don costumes, build imaginative caskets, and parade them down the street before competing in a thrilling race for the $1,000 grand prize. With new additions like the Inflatable Costume Races and the Creepy Doll Contest hosted by the Dodge County Historical Society, this year promises more laughs, more frights, and more memories than ever before.
Families will also enjoy numerous activities and games throughout the day, including a 30-foot Army rock wall, bounce house, pony cycle rides, pumpkin bowling and decorating, and arts and crafts. Don’t miss crowd favorites like the Kids Costume Parade, Witches Dance, and the mysterious Chamber of Mystery at the Beaver Dam Chamber & Visitor Center. Costume contests give everyone a chance to show off their spooky, silly, or creative attire.
As evening falls, the festival keeps the fun going for adults withthe Monster Bar Crawl. Participating downtown bars and restaurants open their doors for festive drinks, bites, costume contests, and live music, with a free trolley and shuttle to make traveling between stops easy and convenient.
Whether you’re cheering on a casket team, enjoying the sights and tastes of the season, competing in costume contests, or hopping between bars for the Monster Bar Crawl, Fall Downtown Fest is the ultimate way to celebrate the season and bid farewell to autumn.
Holiday traditions and experiences
No holiday season in Beaver Dam is complete without a visit to the Rotary Lights at Swan Park, opening the day after Thanksgiving and running nightly through Jan, 3, 2026. This free community tradition transforms Swan Park into a dazzling wonderland of holiday magic.
The festivities begin with a Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m., officially kicking off the season with thousands of twinkling lights, warm holiday spirit, and hot cocoa starting at 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Then, every Saturday beginning Nov. 29 and running though Dec. 27, local nonprofits will be serving hot cocoa, warming your hands, your heart, and helping the community with every cup.
One especially festive evening to mark on the calendar is Saturday, Dec. 13, when Santa Claus makes a special stop at the Rotary Lights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., joined by the Beaver Dam High School Carolers, whose music fills the air with holiday cheer. It’s the perfect night to gather the family, sip cocoa, and enjoy the season’s magic together.
Dec. 6 also brings double the fun: Santa’s Hometown Holiday Adventure, a daytime celebration with numerous free activities and events perfect for kids, followed by the Rock’n the Holidays Parade in the evening, filling downtown with music, lights, and festive floats.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, holiday cheer spreads throughout the city with two more can’t-miss events. The Cocoa Walk and Shop Event invite guests to sip warm cocoa and chocolatey treats while exploring downtown shops, while the new Jingle and Mingle Holiday Crawl (Noon to 5 p.m.) offers a festive afternoon for adults to enjoy specialty drinks and bites at local bars and restaurants. No ticket is required, and a trolley and shuttle make it easy to hop between stops.
Holiday concerts and performances
Music and performing arts add an extra sparkle to Beaver Dam’s holiday season, with concerts and shows for every taste:
- Beaver Dam Area Orchestra Free Concerts – November 22 (7 pm) and December 13 (5 pm and 7 pm) at the Beaver Dam High School Auditorium
- Paddle City Big Band – November 23 at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre & Fine Arts Center (ticket required at bdact.org)
- Red Kettle Concert to Benefit the Salvation Army – December 7 at 4 pm, Beaver Dam High School Auditorium (free but donations appreciated)
- One Voice Children’s Concert – at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre & Fine Arts Center, December 8 (ticket required at bdact.org)
- In Hein Sight: Have Show, Will Travel – December 11–13, a comedy and variety show with Judy Hein at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (ticket required at bdact.org)
- Festival of Lessons and Carols at Wayland – December 14 at 6 pm, Kimberly Chapel, a cherished tradition featuring carols and readings (free)
From lively jazz to community choirs, these performances make the season shine even brighter.
Holiday shopping season
Holiday shopping also takes center stage in Beaver Dam with events that celebrate local creativity and small businesses. The Dodge County Center for the Arts Holiday Art Market (Nov. 1 to Jan. 10) features unique, handcrafted gifts from local artists, perfect for everyone on your list.
The Holiday Hustle (Nov. 10 to 23) adds excitement to shopping with promotions, prizes, and special deals at participating businesses. Then, on Nov. 29, shoppers are encouraged to support local retailers during Get Caught Shopping Small, where being spotted shopping small could win you big rewards.
Plan your visit
From the thrills of casket racing to the glow of Rotary Lights and the sounds of holiday music, Beaver Dam offers a seamless blend of fall festivities and winter traditions. Whether you’re sipping cocoa under twinkling lights, enjoying a concert, cheering on a casket team, or finding that perfect gift downtown, you’ll discover experiences that bring joy to every season. After all, life here is good — especially during Beaver Dam’s most festive time of year.
Plan your visit and learn more about all these events, things to do, dining, shopping and more at visitbeaverdam.com.
