The Bridge to Wonderland Parade brings festive magic back to Chippewa Falls on Saturday, December 6, 2025, starting at 6 p.m., uniting the community for a night of holiday joy.

This year’s ‘Christmas at the Circus’ theme promises color, excitement, and a lively carnival spirit all evening.

More than 50 dazzling, illuminated floats, musical groups, and animal acts will light up Bridge Street, delighting families along the downtown route from N. Bridge and Spruce Streets to Spring Street.

Attendees are encouraged to avoid the 700 block of N. Bridge Street, reserved for parade staging, and to arrive early for the best viewing on packed sidewalks.

Afterward, Riverfront Park hosts the tree lighting and festive activities for all ages, including a chance to meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy music, and savor treats.

For more holiday cheer, the Irvine Park Christmas Village offers twinkling wonder and wintry fun throughout the season.

Eau Claire Transit will provide free bus rides to everyone 18 and under, including high school students, starting January 1, 2026.

This change targets transportation barriers for youth and aims to ease financial pressures on families.

Younger kids can ride without ID, while high schoolers need a student ID to board for free.

All local high schools and middle schools—including those in Altoona—are served by existing bus routes.

Key routes like those to DeLong and North high schools offer direct access for students.

The Northern Lite on-demand service, also free for youth during its 2026 pilot, allows kids 13 and up to ride alone.

This marks a major shift from the current policy, making public transit fully free for children for the first time.

Meanwhile, Eau Claire’s upcoming Downtown Transit Center and active Sonnentag Complex underline the city’s focus on vibrant, accessible community spaces.

December 2025 marks one year since United Airlines resumed flights at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (CVRA), opening new doors for Eau Claire travelers.

United’s daily service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport—operated by SkyWest Airlines under United Express—has fueled a rise in passenger numbers and expanded access to destinations across the country and beyond.

Airport Director Charity Zich praised the renewed partnership for boosting local connectivity and offering more travel choices to both residents and visitors.

Alongside United’s return, Sun Country Airlines continues to run popular nonstop flights to Fort Myers, Florida, catering to winter travelers seeking sunshine.

With plans to add even more destinations, CVRA is committed to meeting the growing travel needs of the Chippewa Valley while supporting regional economic growth.

Middle schoolers across Wisconsin are invited to take part in the 2026 National Civics Bee® State Competition, proudly hosted by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

This engaging event is designed to deepen civic understanding and spark community involvement among young students.

The live competition unfolds on May 9, 2026, at South Middle School in Eau Claire, with students in grades 6-8 eligible to enter.

To join, students must submit essays about local issues they care about by February 3, 2026.

Twenty finalists will be selected to compete in an interactive quiz, testing their civic knowledge and passion.

The ultimate winner earns the chance to represent Wisconsin at the national finals in Washington, D.C., later that fall.

The Eau Claire community continues to foster civic excellence, having produced the last two state champions.

Eaux Claires Festival, led by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, is making a much-anticipated comeback to the Chippewa Valley this summer for the first time since 2018.

A playful teaser video, shared on the event’s social media, showed sousaphone players at Carson Park stadium playing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” hinting at both dates—July 24-25—and a possible new venue.

This return has generated buzz among local music lovers who have missed the festival’s distinctive mix of music, art, and community spirit.

The announcement arrives as downtown Chippewa Valley thrives with new restaurants, boutiques, and real estate projects, further energizing the region’s cultural landscape.

Excitement is building, with residents and visitors eagerly awaiting more details on the festival’s lineup and tickets.