Rudolph Country Christmas 2025: What's New?

Event Cancellation Due to Extreme Cold

Due to the forecast of extreme cold temperatures on Saturday, Dec. 13, the Run, Run Rudolph 5K has been canceled. The event organizers have made this decision to ensure the safety and well-being of participants and attendees.

Rudolph Country Christmas Kicks Off Holiday Celebrations

The holiday season is coming alive in Rudolph with the start of the Rudolph Country Christmas. This festive event will take place from 9 a.m. on Dec. 13 throughout the village, offering a wide range of activities and entertainment. From live music to wagon rides, a petting zoo, and a new drone show to kick off a parade, there's something for everyone.

Locations and Activities

The festivities will be spread out across several locations in Rudolph, including Main Street, St. Philip the Apostle Church, THINK Academy, Rudolph Village Park, Town Hall, and Ashbeck Interiors. This year marks the first time that most of the events will be set up at the Rudolph Village Park, while the 5K, basket raffle, and stamp cancellations will remain at their usual spots.

Organizers shared that two main factors influenced the decision to move the majority of the event to the park. First, it allowed them to expand the event and provide more opportunities for children, such as fireside stories, wildlife education, and a petting zoo. Second, Dairy State Cheese is undergoing plant renovation and upgrades, which could lead to increased traffic and congestion on Main Street.

Despite the event being more spread out this year, organizers assure that there will be plenty of parking available at each location.

Mail Your Holiday Cards

One of the main attractions for visitors is the stamp cancellation, where people bring their Christmas cards and mail to get their envelopes stamped with the Rudolph Country Christmas stamp. Holiday card mailing and stamp cancellation will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the post office, located at 1570 Main St.

Run, Run, Rudolph

For those looking for some action, the Run Run Rudolph 5K Run/Walk and a free Kids Fun Run will take place. Registration will be open from 8:30 to 10 a.m., with the run/walk starting at 10:30 a.m. Entry fees are $25 in advance or $30 on the day of the race. Online registration is available until 7 p.m. on Dec. 12. The race will start at THINK Academy, located at 6950 Knowledge Ave. Awards will be given to the fastest three males and females by age group, including categories such as 9 years and younger, ages 10-14, and so on.

Live Music and Performances

Guests can enjoy live music throughout the event. The Lincoln High School Christmas Choir will perform from noon to 2 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park. The Rapids Brass Quintet will perform from 1-2 p.m. at Ashbeck Interiors, located at 6794 State 13-34. Lance Black & The Band in the Box will perform from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park. Dancers from Studio 48 will perform from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park. Live Music with Mary Cismoski will perform from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park.

Holiday Shopping

Visitors can find a variety of shopping options at Rudolph Country Christmas. The Fallin’ Pines Christmas Market and Open House will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rudolph Town Hall, located at 6432 Second Ave. The St. Philip’s Cookie Plates & Christmas Rummage Sale will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, located at 6957 Grotto Ave. Guests can try their luck at a basket raffle from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Main Street. Craft and food vendors will be set up from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park.

Get Your Fill

Come hungry and check out a variety of food options. The Grinch Who Grilled Christmas Brat Fry will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Philip Church. A Chili Cookoff will start at 1 p.m. at Patsy’s Bar and Bowl, located at 1667 Main St. A Pop-Up Bar will be set up from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park.

Santa Visits

Meet Santa at Rudolph Country Christmas from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park.

Drone Show

For the first time at Rudolph Country Christmas, a drone show will kick off the parade at 5:45 p.m. along Main Street, launched from the Rudolph Volunteer Fire Department, located at 1559 Main St. The drone show will replace the usual fireworks display and is sponsored by Cheese Merchants and Dairy State Cheese.

Parade

A lighted Christmas Parade will start following the drone show at 6 p.m. and will travel along Main Street.

More Festivities

A Touch of the Wild Education Trailer will be set up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park. Guests can cozy up with some fireside stories at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available from 2-5 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park. A petting zoo will be set up from 2-5 p.m. at the Rudolph Village Park.

Get Your 2025 Ornament

This year's Rudolph ornament design honors Rudolph's designation as the state's first Purple Heart Village, honoring and remembering the community's Purple Heart medal recipients and those that served in the military. Rudolph was proclaimed as a Purple Heart Village on Sept. 4, 2024. Ornaments are $12 each and can be found at various locations, including Dairy State Cheese, Patsy's Bar & Bowl, BP Gas Station, Ashbeck Interiors, and First State Bank.

Event Sponsors

This year’s event is sponsored by DC Steinle Companies, Crockett Septic & Waste Management, Amerigas, Fuller Mechanical, Dairy State Cheese, Cheese Merchants, Bank-A-Count, and Wisconsin River Orthopedics.

For more information, find Rudolph’s Country Christmas on Facebook.