Happy Friday, Madison. In today’s edition: A Christmas Carol, Madison’s fair trade holiday festival, the DCFM Holiday Farmers’ Market, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Study spotlights Madison’s momentum: CoworkingCafe ranked Madison fifth nationwide for workforce growth as remote workers doubled since 2020 and coworking sites rose 20% since 2023, reflecting a 29% influx of working-age residents in 2023 — see the study’s highlights.

Holiday season development surge: Six major Madison housing proposals, including student apartments, an eight-story hotel, and two east side subdivisions, head to the Plan Commission and City Council for December and January approvals — get all the details.

New art enlivens corridor: Three illuminated dragonflies now brighten West Gilman Street as part of Madison’s Isthmus Safety Initiative, joined by a Space Blob mural and historic-image banners to boost safety and vibrancy — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Shop artisan gifts at Garver Holiday Market
• Race the Grinch in holiday costumes
• Pedal in costume at Santa Rampage
• Sample cookies across Downtown Madison
• Jazz community celebrates Toni Jakovec
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

From words to works: Madison Public Library caps its 150th with 150 Artists x 150 Years, a citywide exhibit where local artists create works inspired by words from each year. Up through Feb. 28, 2026 across seven branches, with opening celebrations this weekend at Central Library and a scavenger hunt to find all 150 pieces. Get all the details.

Grandstand changes for better views: Warner Park is getting a new fan hub: the Cru Concrete Club, set just behind home plate for the Mallards and Night Mares in 2026. Expect fresh angles on the action, premium suites for groups of 20 to 110, and upgraded seats with drink rails. Booking for 2026 is open now, with an opening day debut planned. See how to book.

Science meets suds: Crave fresh beer with a conscience? Delta Beer Lab pours a rotating lineup in its welcoming social laboratory and donates a slice to local nonprofits as proud 1% for the Planet members. Bring a friend, sip, and make small changes taste great.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎄 A Madison Symphony Christmas 2025 @ Overture Center | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – Launching the holidays on a high note, the Symphony’s Christmas tradition brings Maestro DeMain’s 32nd season, star turns from Alexandra LoBianco and Kyle Ketelsen, and choirs galore. Lobby caroling sets the mood, then it’s familiar favorites, new surprises, and not mall Muzak.

🎻 The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center @ Wisconsin Union Theater | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – Think you know Bach? The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings all six Brandenburg Concertos, played by ringers who make precision feel like joy. Expect sparkling strings, swaggering trumpet, cheeky harpsichord, and ensemble chemistry Spotify can only dream about.

This weekend

🍎 DCFM Holiday Farmers’ Market @ Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center | Saturday (12/6) at 7:30am – Skip the mall, hit the Holiday Farmers’ Market. Stock up on Wisconsin cheese, winter greens, and actually giftable stocking stuffers from local makers, then reward yourself with hot cider and quality people watching. It smells like spruce and butter, and yes, samples count as lunch.

🌍 Madison’s 29th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival @ Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Whether you’re the family’s designated gift whisperer or a last-minute panic-buyer, this fair trade holiday festival lets you shop with a conscience. Think handcrafted treasures, coffee, and chocolate from global artisans. Skip the mall, score unique gifts, feel pleasantly smug.

🎭 A Christmas Carol @ Overture Center | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Holiday season calls for a little Victorian time travel, hot cocoa, and a grumpy guy learning manners. Madison’s been doing this for over 40 years, bringing Dickens to life, ghosts and all, and it’s perfect for the grandkids, neighbors, or your inner Scrooge. Ages 7+.”

❄️ Parent Child Happy Hour @ Garver Feed Mill | Sunday (12/7) at 10:30am – Warm up a chilly morning with music, motion, and winter crafts designed to delight kids of all ages. Parents get a relaxed brunch-time vibe while the pros lead little dancers through creative play and performance magic. Even sweeter? Your ticket helps support ballet scholarships in the community.

🌳 Family Nature Walk @ University of Wisconsin-Madison | Sunday (12/7) at 1:30pm – Bring the little explorers for a nature walk that keeps the kiddos curious and you off your phone. For elementary ages and younger, adults must attend. Free, no registration. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center, wear closed-toe shoes, dress for weather, canceled if unsafe.

🎂 WORT-FM: 50th Birthday Bash @ Atwood Music Hall | Sunday (12/7) at 6:00pm – WORT turns 50, and the bash hits Atwood Music Hall with Lou and Peter Berryman, Latin jazz heat, blues grit, and a closer from The German Art Students. Tickets are $25, support the station that started on Winnebago, and you can dance without irony.

Next week

💉 Blood Drive with Impact for Life@ GiGi’s Playhouse | Monday (12/8) at 3:00pm – Roll up your sleeve and swing by for a blood drive that helps our neighbors. Donate a pint, get a perk and cookie, then either keep the gift or pass it to the Playhouse. Reserve a spot, then enjoy that warm, slightly smug glow.

🎼 Madison Django Jazz Jam @ Leopold’s Books Bar Caffè | Tuesday (12/9) at 7:00pm – Whether you’re a jazz nut or just jazz-curious, this weekly session brings all the charm of Django-inspired tunes with a friendly, come-as-you-are atmosphere. Pull up a chair, order something warm, and let the strings do the storytelling.

💃 Bachata Lesson + Latin Dance Night @ Cafe CODA | Tuesday (12/9) at 7:30pm – Start the night with a bachata crash course, then glide straight into a sizzling Latin dance party. With tango happening in the front room, you can swap rhythms as often as you swap partners. Ten bucks gets you access to all the dance floors your feet can handle.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Jeff Burkhart @ Cargo Coffee – 7 pm
• 12/6 Beatles vs. Stones @ Lola’s – 5 pm
• 12/6 All Ages Improv Show @ Glass Nickel Pizza – 5:30 pm
• 12/7 Lynette Margulies @ North Street Cabaret – 4 pm
• 2/9 SWBMA Jam @ Brassworks Building – 7 pm
• 12/10 I’mProv You’reProv @ Muso – 8 pm
• 12/11 Lou Shields @ Up North – 6 pm
• 12/12 Candlelight Concerts @ Monona Terrace – 6:30 pm
• 12/13 The Honey Pies @ Lakeside St. Coffee House – 7 pm
• 12/14 The North Street Jazz Jam @ North Street Cabaret – 7 pm