error code: 520 Request Headers: -->
From November 27 through December 30, the historic Waelderhaus, known as the "house in the woods" in Kohler, will host its 30th Annual Gingerbread Festival. Dozens of creative gingerbread displays will be featured throughout the season, with live holiday music performances offered on select weekends. Admission is free and open to the public.
Visitors can enjoy extended holiday hours, weekly musical performances, and the opportunity to vote for their favorite handmade gingerbread creations crafted by local schools, community groups, and families. Entries receiving the most votes will be awarded prizes that may be donated to a school or eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Guided tours of the Waelderhaus are offered daily at 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. The Waelderhaus is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Please note that the 2:00 p.m. tour is not available on Saturdays and Sundays during scheduled live performances.
Group visits and guided tours are available by appointment on weekday mornings. A wheelchair-accessible ramp will be available throughout the duration of the festival.
Live Music Performances
All performances begin at 2:00 p.m. and are open to the public, free of charge.
November 28
Golden Chordaliers
November 29
VOX: Vocal Harmony
December 5
Concordia Singing Society
December 6
Plymouth High School Junge Kameraden
December 12
South High School Singers
December 13
Kohler High School Madrigals
December 19
Oostburg High School Jazz Band
December 20
Random Lake High School Chamber Singers
December 26
Holiday Sing-A-Long with Lakeshore Chorale
December 27
Max Becker on Piano
Friday Nov 27, 2026 Wednesday Dec 30, 2026
Gingerbread Festival Hours
November 27 – December 30, 2026
Sunday through Friday: 1–5 pm
Saturday: 10 am–5 pm
Saturday and Sunday musical performances begin at 2:00 p.m.
Closed December 24 and 25.
Waelderhaus – 1100 West Riverside Drive, Kohler, WI
Admission is free and no reservations are required. A wheelchair-accessible ramp will be available throughout the festival.
Guided tours of the Waelderhaus are offered free of charge, daily at 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., except on holidays and during performances.
Jen Balge, Kohler Foundation
Send Email