With its 20,000 lights, 269 animal figures and 182 chandeliers, the carousel inside Spring Green’s House on the Rock is, like everything else at this 66-year-old tourist attraction, over the top.
As the hulking merry-go-round spins unceasingly, the calliope spits out a tinny, haunting tune. It would be hard to imagine this odd museum of superfluity any more flamboyantly appointed than it already is, but this month it will make room for another of the House on the Rock’s vast collections – of Santas, more than 6,000 of all sizes and various ilk.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
The Santa displays started with Karen Donaldson, whose family purchased House on the Rock from founder Alex Jordan in 1988. Donaldson was a Santa collector and wanted to share her passion with the public, says the museum’s spokesperson Nancy Schaaf. The Santa theme is in everything from a tree of stuffed Santa Bears to a display of Santa mugs. Festive decorated (artificial) trees are also scattered throughout the property.
But this Xmas display is not hanging around long. You have until Dec. 28 to see it; then, the House closes for winter break, reopening for the spring season in March 2026.
