A Wade House Christmas
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Event Details
Dec 12 & 13, 2026 | 9:30 AM–4 PM
The Wonder of a 19th-Century Stagecoach Inn Christmas
Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the beautiful historic Wade House Stagecoach Inn as it comes alive with Yankee and German holiday traditions. See the halls of the picturesque rest stop decorated in the true spirit of the season, showcasing how the Wade family and their guests would have celebrated in the mid-1800s, when Christmas centered on family gatherings and cherished time together.
Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, jubilant holiday music, tasty treats, and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” at the welcoming Stagecoach Inn. Watch a talented artisan forge special ornaments in the Blacksmith Shop, then visit a charming white cottage beautifully adorned with fresh boughs and ribbons. There, Father Christmas—straight out of the Victorian era—awaits in his festive green sleigh with red runners, ready to welcome families for holiday photos ($7, purchased on-site).
The festivities continue at the Wade House Visitor Center and Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum with seasonal décor, a scavenger hunt, live music, and children’s activities to add to the joyful spirit.
What You’ll Experience
The historic Wade House Stagecoach Inn decorated in stately Christmas decor
Tasty samples of holiday treats from the Wade House kitchen
Inviting holiday music, scavenger hunts and other activities to celebrate the season
A photo opportunity with Victorian Father Christmas
Cost
Adult (18-64): $15
Teen (13-17): $15
Senior (65+): $13
Child (5-12): $8
Children under 5: Free
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
About the Location
Wade House Stagecoach Inn was constructed conveniently between the cities of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, along a well-used stagecoach trail. This made the 27-room Greek Revival hotel a popular resting point for weary travelers. Three generations of the Wade family resided on the Wade House property, with the stagecoach inn operating until around 1872. The Kohler family and the Kohler Foundation purchased Wade House in 1950 and began a top-to-bottom restoration. The site became property of the Wisconsin Historical Society and opened to the public in 1953. Here, visitors can journey back to the horse-powered world that existed before planes, cars, and trains. The site features the stagecoach hotel built and owned by Sylvanus and Betsey Wade, early settlers of Greenbush, as well as a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, which houses Wisconsin’s largest collection of carriages and wagons. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides from the visitor center to the historic core and back again.
Wade House Historic Site & Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum
(PO Box 34)
W7965 State Hwy 23
Greenbush, WI 53026
This program starts at the Wade House Stagecoach Inn located at:
W7767 Plank Rd.
Greenbush, WI 53026
Know Before You Go & Accessibility
The museum store is open daily during business hours.
Guests may exit and return throughout the day.
Water is the only outside beverage allowed.
Restrooms and water fountains are available on site.
The site will remain open rain or shine.
Guests are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and to dress for the weather.
No pets are allowed. Service animals are permitted.
Because of the historic nature of the buildings, not all areas are ADA accessible.
Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact the site directly at 920-526-3271 or [email protected].
Have Questions?
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].