This is the 'best small town to visit for Christmas' in Wisconsin, according to HGTV
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... and some towns lean extra hard into the holiday spirit.
HGTV released its 2023 list of the "Best Small Towns to Visit for Christmas" in each state. From Santa Claus, Ind., to North Pole, Alaska, the towns on the list stand out for their "holiday traditions and vibes" and events such as Christmas markets, light shows, holiday performances and more.
In Wisconsin, the village of Kohler stood out as the most Christmassy town in the state, according to HGTV. The small village has a population of just over 2,000 and is only 10 minutes from Sheboygan. It's also just under an hour's drive from Milwaukee, making it the perfect Christmastime day trip destination.
So what makes Christmastime in Kohler so special?
"Each Christmas, the historic village of Kohler transforms into a snow-draped, shimmering backdrop for winter that feels plucked from the pages of a holiday movie," HGTV writes. "Located just outside of Sheboygan, Kohler hosts the opulent, warm waters of the Kohler Waters Spa inside the American Club — a historic, Wisconsin hotel that has hosted the likes of Theodore Roosevelt."
HGTV also recommends Kohler visitors give winter surfing on Lake Michigan in nearby Sheboygan a try. While surfing in Sheboygan is a year-round sport, the best months for waves are September through March, when cooler, denser air pushes water into bigger and more powerful waves.
Here are even more Christmastime and winter holiday events in Kohler
If surfing isn't your style, Kohler offers plenty of winter and holiday events throughout the season:
Frozen Fairways offers ice skating, winter sports and holiday treats
Destination Kohler's "Frozen Fairways" event will kick off on Thursday, Dec. 7, at Blackwolf Run golf course. Frozen Fairways will run from Dec. 7 to Feb. 29.
Frozen Fairways will offer cross-country skiing, curling and snowshoeing at the golf course, 1111 W. Riverside Drive. There will also be sledding, fat-tire biking and patio games.
The golf course will feature an ice skating rink and light show displays. The hospitality group will have a hot chocolate bar, s’mores and chef dinners, too.
Frozen Fairways will also host numerous special events, including live music, guided hikes, carriage rides, New Year's Eve fireworks and Christmas cookie decorating. Check out this Sheboygan Press story for a full schedule of Frozen Fairways events or the Frozen Fairways website.
Frozen Fairways children's events schedule
Watercolor painting: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 and Feb. 11
Photos with Santa: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 16
Ice bubble making: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 17, Dec. 26 and Jan. 21
Magic show: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 27
Scavenger hunt: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 28
New Years Eve party: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31
Ice sculpturing building: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 25
Gingerbread Festival at Kohler's Waelderhaus
Kohler's Gingerbread Festival returns for its 27th year at the Waelderhaus. The free annual celebration at the historic house museum, 1100 W. Riverside Dr., will begin Nov. 24 and run through Dec. 30. It will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
There will be a hand-crafted gingerbread houses and sculpture competition with participants from local schools and community organizations, the Sheboygan Press reported.
As part of the festival, the Waelderhaus will host musical performances from local groups. Check out this Sheboygan Press story for the performance schedule.
Year-round bonfires
The American Club and Blackwolf Run offer year-round bonfires to warm up and enjoy time outside in the winter cold. Learn more at Destination Kohler.
Winter sports
Frozen Fairways, Sports Core and River Wildlife offer snowshoeing on Kohler's trails, according to Destination Kohler. River Wildlife also offers cross country skiing.
What other US cities were highlighted in HGTV's 'Best Christmas Towns' list?
If you're interested in traveling a little farther for a fun holiday experience, here are HGTV's "Best Small Towns to Visit for Christmas" in each state:
Alabama - Fairhope
Alaska - North Pole
Arizona - Flagstaff
Arkansas - Hot Springs
California - Solvang
Colorado - Breckenridge
Connecticut - Mystic
Delaware - Lewes
Florida - St. Augustine
Georgia - Dahlonega
Hawaii - Lihue
Idaho - McCall
Illinois - Galena
Indiana - Santa Claus
Iowa - Pella
Kansas - Lindsborg
Kentucky - Bardstown
Louisiana - Natchitoches
Maine - Kennebunkport
Maryland - Frederick
Massachusetts - Stockbridge
Michigan - Frankenmuth
Minnesota - Stillwater
Mississippi - Natchez
Missouri - St. Charles
Montana - Whitefish
Nebraska - Nebraska City
Nevada - Virginia City
New Hampshire - Portsmouth
New Jersey - Cape May
New Mexico - Taos
New York - Skaneateles
North Carolina - Blowing Rock
North Dakota - Medora
Ohio - Medina
Oklahoma - Guthrie
Oregon - Silverton
Pennsylvania - Bethlehem
Rhode Island - Newport
South Carolina - Beaufort
South Dakota - Deadwood
Tennessee - Gatlinburg
Texas - Fredericksburg
Utah - Park City
Vermont - Woodstock
Virginia - Middleburg
Washington - Leavenworth
West Virginia - Shepherdstown
Wisconsin - Kohler
Wyoming - Jackson
Sheboygan Press reporter Alex Garner contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: HGTV says Kohler is Wisconsin's best small town to visit for Christmas