IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. The twinkling lights of the Christmas Village at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls were voted "Warmest Holiday Memory" last year by our readers. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)

One annual Best of the Chippewa Valley Poll asks a lot of questions, including about what readers things are the best holiday season experiences around. Here’s what they had to say for 2022!

Warmest Local Holiday Memory

1. Visiting Irvine Park’s Christmas Village

2. Bridge to Wonderland Parade

3. Clearwater Winter Parade

There’s nothing quite like some warm and fuzzy memories to keep you jolly this holiday season. Just imagine walking around in the snow with your loved ones, admiring the lights at Irvine Park’s Christmas Village (125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls), sipping on hot chocolate and eating holiday cookies. For all of our parade-lovers, there’s no shortage of floats at the Bridge to Wonderland Parade (starts at the intersection of North Bridge and Spruce streets, Chippewa Falls) where you can see folks dressed in holiday attire and collect some candy as well. Gathering at Clearwater Winter Parade (starts at Grand and First avenues, Eau Claire) might just win you an encounter with Santa himself, but if not, don’t fret! He makes an appearance in the parade, so you won’t miss him. -Mckenzie Minter

In recent years, Chris Kroeze has made a tradition of performing at the Pablo Center at Christmastime. This year, the show is Dec. 16. (Submitted photo)

Best Holiday Performance

1. Chris Kroeze at the Pablo Center

2. “A Christmast Carol” at the Heyde Center for the Arts

3. Christmas with Lorie Line at the Pablo Center

Everyone knows the Wisconsin holiday season is all about spending time with loved ones, shoveling your car out of the snow at 6am for work, and unforgettable holiday performances! A local musical fave topped readers’ list of best holiday performances: Chris Kroeze at the Pablo Center (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) delivering a unique vocal performance and amazing night of music. For a classic performance, the Heyde Center’s production of “A Christmas Carol” (3 S. High St., Chippewa Falls) brought the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future to the Chippewa Valley. Solo pianist performance Lorie Line at the Pablo Center (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) shares an intimate moment of beautiful music, stories, and expression of faith for a memorable holiday night, returning this year for another show. –Matthew Baughman

Best Holiday Sleigh / Wagon Ride

1. Downtown Chippewa Falls Through Christmas Village

2. Cabin Ridge Rides

3. Pleasant Valley Tree Farm Wagon Rides

ONE HORSE, THOUGH NOT TECHNICALLY A SLEIGH. Riding through downtown Eau Claire. (Photo by Ma Vue)

Best Community Holiday Event

1. Irvine Park Christmas Village

2. Bridge to Wonderland Parade

3. Haymarket Holiday + Clearwater Winter Parade

You can seriously walk around a real winter wonderland at Irvine Park Christmas Village (125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls) when it’s transformed into a lightshow between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. If you’re looking for more wondrous outdoor winter activities, the Bridge to Wonderland Parade (starts at the intersection of North Bridge and Spruce streets, Chippewa Falls) features more than 50 participating units, followed by more post-parade, family-friendly fun at Riverfront Park. And if that’s still not enough outdoor fun for you, Haymarket Holiday + Clearwater Winter Parade (220 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire) has a Santa run, pictures with Santa, music, festive food and drink,
fireworks, and wagon rides. -Mckenzie Minter

Best Holiday Party Venue

1. Cowboy Jack’s Saloon

2. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

3. The Florian Gardens Conference Center

Looking for a place to host your holiday jamboree? Look no further than Altoona, where Cowboy Jack’s Saloon (1432 Front Porch Place) snagged the top spot as a fun, robust, Western-themed bar and grill! Book their Whiskey Room or Patio (enclosed or outdoor) to get that party started at a place that knows it best. The cowboy aesthetic not your vibe? Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse (4751 Owen Ayres Court, Eau Claire) is a restaurant that puts steak at center stage with a gourmet assortment of Italian delicacies to assist, and an exquisite wine list to wash it all down. For a place that masters venue space, look to The Florian Gardens Conference Center (2340 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire) to secure a full space with exquisite outdoor views and fit for dozens of people. –Matthew Baughman

Best Holiday Caterer

1. Live Great Food Catering

2. Bijou Catering

3. The French Press Catering and Bakery

Best Place to Buy Holiday Decor

1. Down to Earth Garden Center

2. The Local Store & Volume One Gallery

3. Lydia’s Interiors

Part of the holiday fun is decorating months in advance, and why should the decorating stop short of plants? Down to Earth Garden Center (6025 Arndt Lane, Eau Claire) has all kinds of festive pots to keep your plants warm this winter, plus seasonal plants galore. Also, be sure to stop by The Local Store & Volume One Gallery (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire) to pick up some fun, locally made holiday treasures like candles and knickknacks to spruce up your home. Lydia’s Interiors (3460 Mall Drive, Suite 4, Eau Claire) provides holiday statuettes, faux floral arrangements, houseware, ornaments, and apropos signage waiting to find a place in your home. -Mckenzie Minter

Best Holiday Pop-up Shopping

1. Banbury Place

2. Elements of the Season Holiday Gift Shop at Artisan Forge Studios

3. Dotter’s Books

If you’re looking to do some holiday shopping from local artistans, your first local stop is Banbury Place (930 Galloway St., Eau Claire) to explore all of the shops setting up booths inside the massive building while eating yummy food and listening to live music. For about a month, you can visit the Elements of the Season Holiday Gift Shop at Artisan Forge Studios (1106 Mondovi Road, Eau Claire) for all kinds of one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones like candles, paintings, ornaments, dishware, and more. The pop-up shop at Dotter’s Books (1602 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire) is exactly what your book-loving loved ones will enjoy this holiday season, providing folks with reading essentials. –Mckenzie Minter

Best Local Holiday Gift Idea for Kids

1. Beaver Creek Reserve Annual Membership

2. Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor Pint-a-Month Subscription

3. Children’s Gifts from Green Oasis Garden & Gift Boutique

Best Local Holiday Gift Idea for Grown-Ups

1. Gift certificate for a float from the Luminary Wellness Center

2. Gift basket from The Local Store

3. Gift basket from Down to Earth

In addition to making this magazine and selling lots of cool stuff, the folks here at The Local Store & Volume One like to decorate for the season. (File photo)

Best Holiday-Decorated Business

1. The Local Store & Volume One Gallery

2. Leinenkugel’s

3. Raggedy Man

Part of the fun of the holiday season is looking the part. Come get into the spirit with The Local Store & Volume One Gallery (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire), which is  totally decked out with holiday lights, trees, and even danging tobaggans. Get a pair of Midwestern-made boots as a gift, or pick up some essential Wisconsin cheese for any holiday occasion. Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge (124 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls) also dresses for the occasion, pulling out all the stops for holiday cheer and holiday beer. Downtown Eau Claire features a non-stop shop of goods and gifts with a holiday twist at Raggedy Man (215 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire). Whether you’re out gift shopping or just celebrating the season, check out one of these locations to see what all the festive buzz is about! -Matthew Baughman

Best Local Holiday Drink

1. Sex in the Snow at Cowboys Jacks

2. Peppermint Dream at Chippewa River Distillery

3. Butter Beerskey at Infinity Beverages

Best Holiday Menu Item

1. Christmas Time Tamales at Silly Serrano

2. Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s

3. Seasonal specialty drinks at Bridge Street Brew

If you’re in the mood for a bite to eat or a drink to sip, look no further than some local faves to compliment your rosy cheeks. Silly Serrano (2006 Cameron St., Eau Claire) is home of the go-to “Christmas Time Tamales” in the Chippewa Valley. For a delicious shake, McDonald’s (1513 S Hastings Way, Eau Claire) houses the all-time favorite “Shamrock Shake” … available around the end of February. Okay, maybe not a prime holiday treat … but hey, it’s what the locals voted for. For current holiday beverages, Bridge Street Brew (114 N Bridge St., Chippewa Falls) is a local coffee shop that offers highlighted “seasonal specialty drinks” to add that touch of much-needed flavor to the holidays, and they almost always have quirky fun names to go along with the season. –Matthew Baughman

Bob's House for Dogs is a favorite of dog lovers, donors, and volunteers. (Submitted photo)

Favorite Local Nonprofit

1. Bob’s House for Dogs

2. Eau Claire County Humane Association

3. Feed My People Food Bank

Bob’s House for Dogs (E3015 County Hwy. HH, Eleva) is all about matching stray, senior, and special needs dogs with loving homes. The Eau Claire County Humane Association (3900 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire) is committed to giving pets a second chance by assisting with the adoption and humane care of dogs, cats, and other animals. And in third place is Feed My People Food Bank (2610 Alpine Road, Eau Claire), the leader in hunger-relief efforts across the region for nearly 40 years. –Jen Ekblad

Best Volunteer Opportunity

1. Bob’s House for Dogs

2. Feed My People Food Bank

3. Eau Claire County Humane Association