2 Hours from Chicago—Discover the Charming Winter Town Where Every Street Corner Looks Like a Fairytale Covered in Snow

One thing about Chicago is that it can often get quite crowded, but that’s just part of life in the big city. However, the idealness of living in Chicago lies in its proximity to [countless towns](https://secretchicago.com/best-small-towns-near-chicago/) that are just a quick drive away. These towns have a winter charm, where it’s exciting to wrap yourself in a thick scarf and don your wool coats as you explore local shops, making you forget about the cold weather entirely. Just around two hours from Chicago, you’ll come across the town of Cedarburg, Wisconsin . The charming historic area has remained unchanged since the town’s beginning in the mid-1800s. Cedarburg’s likeness to a hallmark movie backdrop is due to its eclectic mix of Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Classical architecture. The beautifully designed storefronts come alive in the early morning with the aroma of roasting beans from local coffee shops. As the day progresses, the overhanging lights illuminate boutiques, winery tasting rooms, and pubs , which gradually fill up with visitors as the hours pass. With a population of around 12,121 residents, Cedarburg serves as an intimate winter retreat from the chaos of the city. Head to Cedarburg this winter to celebrate Festive Fridays ---------------------------------------------------------- During the winter, the real draw is Festive Fridays , which take over Downtown Cedarburg and cast a magical atmosphere . You can wander through unique boutiques, specialty shops, restaurants, and the Cedar Creek Winery , all housed inside Cedar Creek Settlement, a beautifully restored 1864 woolen mill. The Settlement is adorned for the season with garlands, wreaths, luminarias , and thousands of twinkling white lights. Each Friday evening through January 4th, you can enjoy live music, themed activities, wine sampling , and festive shopping. Continue your visit with ice skating at Cedar Creek, or explore cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on trails at Riveredge Nature Center or Zeunert Park Path. If you are looking to escape the cold, there are plenty of indoor activities in Downtown Cedarburg, too. You can try your hand at painting ceramics. Glaze Pottery or immerse yourself in art at the Cedarburg Art Museum, where the garden sparkles with lights at night and live reindeer jingle their bells. Source: https://secretchicago.com/cedarburg-wisconsin-festive-fridays-2025/