Christmas in Madison

"City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style, in the air there's a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile..." 

Make the season memorable in merry Madison... There's nothing quite like Christmas in historic Madison. From lights adorning the Main Street rooftops with warmly-lit stores filled with gifts below, to our fountain decked out in holiday cheer, and visits from Santa Claus himself, things sure are merry and bright! We welcome all to come savor this season with us and engage with our warm community through these events to have a holly and very jolly Christmas.

Light Up Merry Madison

Come one, come all to the annual Light Up Merry Madison ceremony hosted by the Mayor and Santa Claus himself! Join us at the Broadway Fountain at 6 PM on Friday, November 28, as the city officially recognizes the start of the holiday season in Madison. 

Following the lighting, make your way to Trinity United Methodist Church on Broadway for hot chocolate and fun crafts for the kids. Be sure to say hi to Santa Claus, who will be making a special visit to celebrate our beautiful, lit-up town!

A Very Merry Madison Christmas Parade

Each year the streets are filled with children pressing in to get a glimpse of the large helium balloons, book characters and mascots, and festive floats that make their way down Main Street bringing holiday joy to all those who attend.  Madison welcomes you to come see this community-wide event that never fails to spread Christmas cheer! Join us on Main Street at 11 AM on Saturday, December 6, to enjoy the parade. The parade route begins at Jefferson & Main Street and continues through Madison’s historic shopping district to Mill Street. Be sure to stick around after the parade for our Merry Madison Christmas Celebration. 

A special thanks to our 2025 sponsors: More details to come!

Christmas parade registration   Christmas Parade Rules

A Very Merry Madison Christmas Celebration

Immediately following A Very Merry Madison Christmas Parade on December 6. Head down to the Broadway Fountain to visit Santa Claus and his live reindeer and enjoy inflatables, food trucks, and more. The festivities end at 2 PM. Special thanks to our 2025 sponsors: more details to come! 

Santa Claus

Santa always visits Madison during the holiday season, and he even has a quaint little cottage for the occasion! Children can also write letters to Santa and drop them off at our "North Pole Express" mailbox outside of City Hall.
Stop by to see Santa this holiday season in his cottage at the Madison Comfort Station: 221 W. Main Street Madison, IN 47250. Enjoy talking with Santa, taking pictures and see Santa's cottage. Full schedule below
*2025 schedule to be announced

Beginning, November 25, a Letters to Santa mailbox will be placed outside of City Hall. Kids can drop off their letters to Santa until December 13. These letters will be hand delivered to Santa and letters with a return address will receive a note from Santa. 

Let's make some Christmas Cards!

Students grades K-5 are welcome to submit Christmas card designs, and the winning design will be used for the official City of Madison's Christmas Card this year!

The mayor will choose and announce the winning design at our Light Up Madison event on November 28. We will inform the school and parents of the designer ahead of time so the child and their family can be present for the ceremony with the mayor and Santa himself! 

We invite every K-5 student to submit a design, and we can't wait to see all the creative work that will come in!

Learn about the competition here!

Help make Madison Merry and bright...

Please consider donating to our Christmas lights campaign. The city invested in skylines and wreaths, which stretch from Cragmont all the way to the new gateway to Madison. Our goal is to to continue to invest in more lighting for the entire community to get a sentimental feeling when they see everything we have planned for the holiday season. Donations can be mailed to City Hall, 101 W. Main St., Madison, IN 47250.