Your Guide to Annual Events In & Around Whitewater, WI
Whitewater, Wisconsin is known for its vibrant community and year-round events. From festive winter celebrations and scenic trail runs to farmers markets and guided hikes, there is always something happening in and around Whitewater. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or you’re a local looking for your next adventure, here are some of the top annual events you won’t want to miss.
*Events with an asterisk are held in Whitewater, WI
Spring Events
Delavan Train Show
The Delavan Train Show is a fun event for hobbyists and families alike. Featuring impressive model railroad layouts, vendor booths, and collectible trains, the event attracts train enthusiasts from around the Midwest.
📅 March
📍 Delavan, WI
The Balloon Adventure
At the Balloon Adventure, step into a world where creativity, imagination, and science come to life through breathtaking balloon artistry. The Balloon Adventure: Buggin’ Out! is an immersive, multi-day experience filled with larger-than-life balloon installations, hands-on science elements, photo-worthy moments, and unforgettable events designed for all ages.
📅 A little over a week in March
📍 Pier 290 @1 Liechty Dr, Williams Bay, WI 53191
*Whitewater Storytelling Festival
Join the Whitewater Arts Alliance and community for our two-day Whitewater Storytelling Festival at the historic Cultural Arts Center to celebrate the magic of storytelling through words, music, food, and creativity. Enjoy engaging storytellers & strolling musicians, explore local art & a vendor market, savor great food, or join an interactive workshop or hands-on creative activity!
📅 A weekend at the end of May
📍 Whitewater Arts Alliance @402 W Main St, Whitewater, WI
*Special Olympics
The Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games is a major, multi-day event for thousands of athletes. The games focus on promoting inclusion, showcasing the talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and fostering a supportive community environment.
📅 A weekend in early June
📍 University of Wisconsin – Whitewater @907 Schwager Dr, Whitewater, WI 53190
Summer Events
*Whitewater Farmers Market
The Whitewater Farmers Market is long-running, producer-only market that features local farmers and vendors selling produce, baked goods, honey, and crafts.
📅 Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from May to October
📍 Whitewater Train Depot @ 301 W Whitewater St, Whitewater, WI 53190
*Trail Runs
There are various 4Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, etc. that take place in the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. The Whitewater Trail Challenge on the Ice Age Trail in June. The Golden Kettle Trail Series features a variety of runs throughout the forest from April to October. The tBunk Endurance Challenge takes place on the Nordic Trails in November
📅 Varies by race
📍 Varies by race
*Fourth of July Festival
Whitewater’s annual Fourth of July Festival is a four-day event taking place at Cravath Lakefront Park. The community event features a parade, live music, a carnival, fireworks, parade, food, petting zoo, & car show.
📅 Fourth of July
📍 Cravath Lakefront Park @341 S Fremont St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Jefferson County Fair
The Jefferson County Fair features agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, a carnival, family-friendly activities, local food, community contests, and grandstand events like truck/tractor pulls, racing, and concerts.
📅 Mid-July
📍503 N Jackson Ave, Jefferson, WI 53549
Rock County Fair
The Rock County Fair features agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, fair food, 4-H project exhibits, and live grandstand entertainment.
📅 Late July
📍 301 Craig Ave. Janesville, WI 53545
Lake Geneva Jaycees Venetian Festival
One of the largest festivals in southeastern Wisconsin, the Venetian Festival features carnival rides, live music, food vendors, art & craft fair, baggo tournament, water ski show, fireworks, and the famous illuminated boat parade on Geneva Lake.
📅 Mid-August
📍 Flat Iron Park in Lake Geneva, WI @ 201 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Walworth County Fair
The Walworth County Fair is one of Wisconsin's oldest and largest county fairs and features grandstand concerts, demolition derbies, truck-and-tractor pulls, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, and popular food vendors.
📅 Labor Day Weekend
📍411 E Court St, Elkhorn, WI 53121
Fall Events
*Discover Whitewater Series
Hosted by the Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) and its community partners, the annual Discover Whitewater Series (DWS) takes places in September and features a Half Marathon, 5K, 5K Teams, and Fit Kid Shuffle.
📅 September
📍 D.L.K. Kachel Fieldhouse @907 Schwager Dr, Whitewater, WI 53190
Delavan Scarecrow Fest
Delavan’s Scarecrow Fest celebrates the arrival of fall with creative scarecrow displays throughout downtown. The event includes live music, food vendors, kids activities, and a craft fair.
📅 September
📍 Downtown Delavan, WI
*Whitewater Spirit Tour
On the Whitewater Spirit Tour, you will learn about Whitewater’s “spirited” sites. You’ll experience cemeteries under the stars, visit with Whitewater’s most (in)famous historical inhabitants, and gain an understanding of spiritualism and its impact on our city.
📅 October
📍 Bus Tour – Community Engagement Center @1260 W Main St. Whitewater, WI
📍 Walking Tour – Cravath Lakefront Building @341 S Fremont St, Whitewater, WI
*Mammoth Hike Challenge
Hosted by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the Mammoth Hike Challenge encourages visitors to hike 45+ miles and visit three Ice Age Trail Communities (Whitewater is one). It’s free and graet for all ages and abilities. Whether you hike solo, as a pair, as a family, or in a group, get outside, have an adventure, and enjoy the beauty of hiking the Ice Age Trail.
📅 October
📍 Ice Age Trail
Winter Events
*Whitewater Holiday Parade of Lights
The annual Parade of Lights kicks off the holiday season in Whitewater with festive floats, music, and glowing displays traveling through downtown. The parade concludes with the lighting of the Christmas at Cravath display, officially beginning the community’s holiday celebrations.
📅 First Friday in December
📍 Downtown Whitewater
*Christmas at Cravath
Christmas at Cravath is a community celebration filled with lights, laughter, and holiday magic. The Light Display is officially lit at the end of the Parade of Lights on the first Friday in December and remains lit through early January. Throughout the month of December, the City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation and Discover Whitewater have a bunch of family-friendly events.
📅 All December Long
📍 Cravath Lakefront Park @341 S Fremont St, Whitewater, WI 53190
Christmas Market at Duesterbeck’s
Shop a delightful selection of handcrafted gifts, local products, and seasonal home décor while you enjoy a craft beer, hard seltzer, or your beverage of choice. It will become a holiday tradition!
📅 First Weekend in December
📍 Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company @N5543 County Rd O, Elkhorn, WI 53121
Holiday Light Show
Hosted by Rotary Botanical Gardens, the Holiday Light Show features a dazzling after-dark walk on the garden’s path featuring more than 2 million lights and themed light displays.
📅 Friday & Saturday Nights in December
📍 Rotary Botanical Gardens @1455 Palmer Dr, Janesville, WI 53545
*Candlelight Hike
Hosted by the Friends of the Kettle Moraines State Forest – Southern Unit, enjoy a candlelight hike around a 1.6 mile loop illuminated by 450 candles. Stop by a bonfire to warm up along the way. Visit the warming hut to purchase hot chocolate, snacks, & merchandise. Dogs on leashes are allowed tonight only. If there is groomable snow, classic track skiing will be on one side of the trail and hikers on the other.
📅 Third Saturday in January
📍 Nordic Hiking Trails @N9084 Co Rd H, Whitewater, WI 53190 (weather dependent)
Winterfest
Hosted by VISIT Lake Geneva and the City of Lake Geneva, Winterfest is home to America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational, where 15 of the most talented artists from around the U.S. and abroad will participate in an epic competition of skill and artistry. Winterfest is typically at the end of January. Check out the ice sculptures, warm up by bonfires on the beach, enjoy live entertainment, and more!
📅 End of January
📍 Riviera Plaza & Flat Iron Park in Lake Geneva, WI @ 201 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
*Whitewater Lion’s Club Fish-A-Ree
The Whitewater Lions Club hosts an annual Fish-A-Ree in February featuring a pancake breakfast, fish-a-ree, 50-50 raffle, and online auction.
📅 A Saturday in February
📍 Whitewater Lion’s Club @N7462 Kettle Moraine Dr, Whitewater, WI 53190
Year Round
*Whitewater City Market
Established in 2015, the Whitewater City Market brings area farmers, artisans, food vendors, live music, and the community together for a celebration of what is local.
📅 Tuesdays 4:00-7:00 pm from May to October
📍 Cravath Lakefront Park @341 S Fremont St, Whitewater, WI 53190
📅 Saturdays 10:00am - 12:00 pm
📍 Cravath Lakefront Park Community Center @341 S Fremont St, Whitewater, WI 53190
*UW-Whitewater Music & Theatre Performances
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater hosts a variety of concerts, theatre productions, and performing arts events throughout the academic year. These performances showcase student talent and bring a wide range of cultural experiences to the community. The Young is where big city entertainment meets small town charm and is one southeast Wisconsin's premier performing arts venues.
📅 Throughout the academic year
📍 UW-Whitewater campus venues
*Ice Age Trail Guided Hikes
The Ice Age Trail Alliance - Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter hosts weekly guided hikes! They include two or more walks of different distances on Wednesdays and also do this on Tuesdays when desired. All ages are welcome
📅 Tuesdays 4pm - Meet at 3:45 pm & Wednesdays 10:30am - Meet at 10:15am
📍 Hwy 12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Guided Hikes & Naturalist Activities
The Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit hosts varies guided hikes and naturalist activities throughout the year including: wildflower walks, frog hikes, nature journal club, winter snowshoe hikes, starlight hikes, etc.
📅 Various seasonal event series
📍 Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit @S91W39091 Hwy 59 Eagle, WI 53119
East Troy Electric Railroad Seasonal Trains
Reserve your ride on the East Troy Electric Railroad for family-friendly fun with a historical twist. They offer a variety of experiences such as dinner trains, lunch and brunch trains, wine and cheese trains, beer tasting trains, etc. Their seasonal trains are the main attraction with bunny trains in spring, trick or treat trains in October, and Christmas trains in December.
📅 Themes & schedule varies by season
📍 2002 Church Street, East Troy, WI
Looking for Live Music?
Whether you are looking to listen to live music outdoors on a warm summer night or looking for something to do on cold winter night, there are plenty of live music venues in and around Whitewater, WI. Check out our Live Music in & Around Whitewater WI Guide.
Plan Your Visit to Whitewater
From festive holiday celebrations and outdoor races to local markets and fall hikes, Whitewater offers something exciting in every season. These annual events bring together residents and visitors to celebrate the community, the outdoors, and local creativity.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or looking for something new to experience close to home, Whitewater’s annual events make every season worth exploring.