SANTA PARADE TRAIN

The East Troy Electric Railroad's Santa Parade Train will make its annual journey into downtown East Troy on Saturday, Dec. 4.

      Presented by the East Troy Electric Railroad in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center, the beautifully lit four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.

      The original East Troy Christmas Parade train, started by the East Troy Jaycees and the railroad in 1972, was a historic reproduction of the Schuster’s Christmas Parade in Milwaukee. The Schuster’s Department store chain sponsored the parade, established in 1928, to kick off the Christmas shopping season. It disappeared in 1955 with the demise of the Milwaukee Electric Lines interurban and streetcar system.

      Spectators can catch a glimpse of Santa along County Road ES. The train will slow briefly at the following crossings*:

• 5:06 p.m., train departs at The Elegant Farmer

• 5:25 p.m., N. Army Lake Road – Army Lake Camp

• 5:42 p.m., Army Lake Camp

• 5:56 p.m., St. Peter’s Road

• 6:13 p.m., Byrnes Street

• 6:25 p.m., Division Street

• 6:30 p.m., Santa arrives at East Troy Village Square Park via East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree & debut of East Troy Lights

*The railroad will have flaggers and crowd control at all the road crossings.

 

 

EAST TROY LIGHTS

Take a trip to downtown East Troy to see East Troy Lights – a spectacular holiday light show!

The interactive and imaginative light display experience will kick off Saturday, Dec. 4, when Santa comes to East Troy via the 113-year-old East Troy Electric Railroad Santa Parade Train to light the annual Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree.

Lights will continue with timed shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Dec. 31. Walk through the lights or see the show from your car by tuning into 90.9 FM.

Watch as the entire downtown East Troy Square sparkles in the night in sync with your favorite holiday songs. Or, take control of the lights yourself and create your own holiday magic!

Find out more at easttroylights.com.
 

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SEE SANTA ON THE SQUARE

In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin at East Troy Village Square Park at 5:30 p.m., including:

• East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce beverage tent featuring East Troy Brewery beer & more

• Winter activities, including s’mores station and DIY Photo Station

• Performances by East Troy High School Cheer & Dance Team along with Titan Cheer and Factory Stars Cheer and Infinity Dance at 6 p.m.

• Christmas carol sing-along led by East Troy High School Choir members

• Cub Scouts Pack 92 will sell To Go chili, chili dogs and baked goods

• Santa arrives at East Troy Village Square Park via East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree at about 6:30 p.m. followed by debut of East Troy Lights

• Santa's Workshop inside Ivan's Backstage, 2093 Division St. featuring Dicken’s Christmas Carolers

• Movie & Refreshments at East Troy Historical Society, 2106 Church St.

• Following the tree lighting, safely see Santa from the bandstand at East Troy Village Square Park 

 

 

SAFETY & COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

The safety and health of our participants and attendees is a primary focus and we are planning accordingly.

Like previous years, a Village of East Troy Police squad car will help escort Santa and his entourage from the Division Street crossing to East Troy Village Square Park. This year, the Village of East Troy Police Department is being extra vigilant by adding additional officers for the event. Law enforcement personnel from the Village of Police and the Walworth County Sheriff's Department will help with street closures of the square during Santa's arrival. 

By spreading out activities and viewing spaces out across the outdoor park, guests can safely enjoy all of the festivities while maintaining proper physical distancing and enjoying the outdoors. 

 

 

EAT, SHOP & MORE
AT EAST TROY SQUARE

 

Visit 2894 on Main's
Walk Up Window

2894 on Main, 2894 Main St., will be celebrating Santa's arrival with a walk up window located at its front door from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests can grab their to-go cocoa, coffee, tea and cookies and take in the magic of the light show from the square! For more information, visit 2894onMain.com.
 

Hear the Dicken's Carolers at
Ivan's Backstage 

Dicken’s Christmas Carolers will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Ivan's Backstage, 2093 Division St., East Troy.

The Dicken's Carolers have become a holiday tradition bringing out the true spirit of music with the sounds of your favorite carols from traditional to contemporary songs: White Christmas, Jingle Bells and O’Christmas Tree.

Visit Santa's Workshop and make a holiday craft or buy a wand to control the lights!
 

Try Candy Cane Gelato!

Sauced Pizzeria, 2886 Main St., is now open from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday for dine in our carry-out.

The locally sourced, seasonally inspired, 100% wood fired pizzeria is also featuring new flavors of its house-made gelato with all organic ingredients, including a Santa Special: Candy Cane!

The Neapolitan style pizzeria serves up mouth-watering combinations like a Margherita with fresh mozzarella & basil, the crowd-pleasing Prosciutto Verde with arugula, as well as Carne featuring Prosciutto di Parma, House Fennel Sausage and Soppressa (salami) and more.

Visit getsauced.pizza for more information.

 

Cheers! Warm up at
East Troy Brewery

East Troy Brewery, 2905 Main St. will feature live music by the fireplace with the Blue Rhythm Duo from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Warm up with some Christmas tunes, an Apple Brandy Hot Toddy and some Hill Valley Dairy Cheese Curds!

A must-stop for foodies and beer lovers alike, East Troy Brewery has created a unique, seasonally-evolving menu with tasty options for the whole family where every dish is paired with its house-brewed beers.

For more information, visit etbrew.com.

 

 

 

HUNGRY?

Check out the local dine in and carry-out options on the square:

Food Menu


Menu 


Sauced A Pizzeria

 

 

Watch a Movie at 
Historical Society Museum

The East Troy Area Historical Society Museum, 2106 Church St., will be open on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. during the opening of East Troy Lights and Santa's arrival.

Enjoy refreshments and watch a movie. Museum entry is free.

 

Where to Grab Drinks:

Drink Menu




Drink Menu



Sauced A Pizzeria




2894 on Main


Al Smith's Saloon


Sammy's Place




The Hive Taproom
(Located 1 mile west of East Troy Village Square)