Happy Tuesday, Madison. In today’s edition: Sip & shop holiday art market, free community carol sing, zoo lights pajama party, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Bridging research and support: UW-Madison PhD candidate Morgan Henson received the Gulickson fellowship for the second consecutive year. He researches how far-right movements gain support online and launched TA Networks with monthly Sanity Hours — read the full story.

Nature belongs to everyone: Latino Outdoors has launched its first Wisconsin chapter in Madison, offering free bilingual, family-friendly outings. Its first rock climbing event drew about fifteen newcomers from across the area — read the full story.

Cozy winter rooftop experience: Heated picnic domes will open atop MMoCA in January with 90-minute Friday and Saturday reservations. Bookings for January through March open December 17, priced at $120 nonmembers and $108 members — get all the details.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Celebrate 150 years with artists
• Dance to benefit The River Food Pantry
• Shop 80s to Y2K vintage, play arcade
• Meet Santa at 127 State Street
• Rock to benefit Toys for Tots
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

A night that unfolds: Cielo, a multi-level nightclub at 118 State St., opened Sept. 25 and leans into house/techno with a Mexico-inspired, starry design. Run by Susan McKinney and her daughters, it hosts daytime coffee raves ($6 espresso martinis/mimosas) and pours standouts like a hibiscus mezcalita and tequila-based espresso martini. Get all the details.

Build a buzzworthy business: UW–Madison will run a new three-day beekeeping short course Feb. 13 to 15 at the Division of Extension in Madison. Geared to beginning and intermediate keepers, it blends hive know-how with business basics: planning and insurance, marketing honey and wax, and rules for expanding product lines, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. Get all the details.

Burrito upgrade, unlocked: When a bowl won’t cut it, HWY1 packs Baja-style burritos with marinated proteins, bright salsas, and crisp veggies. Grab one to go, or linger with a margarita and daydream the surf’s a block away… close enough.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🍷 Sip & Shop Holiday Art Market @ Chazen Museum of Art | Thursday (12/4) at 3:00pm – If your holiday shopping plan is ‘panic at the last minute,’ consider a course correction at the Chazen. Sip coffee or wine, browse work from ten local makers in the Mead Witter lobby, wander the galleries, and knock out gifts that feel thoughtful, not algorithmic.

🌿 Houseplant Essentials @ East Troy Village Hall | Thursday (12/4) at 6:00pm – Whether your pothos is smug or your poinsettia is plotting its demise, this houseplant workshop covers the must-knows, common crises, and rescue tips. Bring your sad plant for a diagnosis, leave with peace of mind, healthier leaves, and bragging rights. Free, registration required.

❄️ Winter Fantasia: Reimagined @ Overture Center | Thursday (12/4) at 7:00pm – Kanopy lights up Overture with Winter Fantasia, a multicultural swirl of Nordic folklore, glittering Garba led by Udbhav Desai, and a Bernstein-fueled city romp. Think lavish costumes, real artistry, and zero Nutcracker fatigue. Madison classic vibes, global sparkle.

🏀 Holiday in The Hoops @ Warm Belly Farm | Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – Nothing beats a twinkle-lit stroll through Warm Belly Farm when you want holiday spirit without the mall chaos. The hoops are decked out like a winter wonderland, with immersive displays, sparkling lights, and seasonal treats. Bring the kids, the neighbors, or your inner child.

🎵 Kilo Sierra Music @ Cambridge Winery – Madison Tasting Room | Friday (12/5) at 5:30pm – Kilo Sierra rolls into Cambridge Winery’s tasting room for their first spin in Madison. Think easy pours, polished tunes, and conversation you do not have to shout over. Bring your favorite people, claim a table, and call it a night well spent.

This weekend

🎨 150 Artists x 150 Years Exhibition @ Madison Public Library – Central | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Pop into Central Library for 150 Artists x 150 Years, a love letter to Madison’s 150-year-old library with better stories than your group chat. Browse the exhibit, meet artists, try hands-on activities, and snag light refreshments, no registration.

✂️ The Crafty Fair @ Brass Works Building | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Sixteen years strong, this beloved craft fair corrals 150-plus makers from Wisconsin and nearby states to deliver the best handmade goods. If your gift drawer, walls, or coffee table need a glow-up, this is where you upgrade without big-box guilt.

🎶 Free Community Carol Sing 2025 @ Overture Center | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Warm up the pipes, the Symphony’s free community carol sing fills Overture Hall with organ cheer and zero ticket drama. Greg Zelek leads the classics, you bring the gusto, the kids, and maybe the harmony. A Madison tradition, an excuse to get festive before lunch.

🎁 A Family & Friends Crafting Event @ History Maker Space | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Trade doomscrolling for scissors and cocoa at History Maker Space, where you can whip up mini Evergleam trees, 3D snowflakes, and ornaments, then peek at the vintage holiday display. Cozy, crafty, and low-stakes, with cookies, a gift shop browse, and five bucks each. Registration required.

✨ Zoo Lights @ Henry Vilas Zoo | Sunday (12/7) at 4:30pm – Zoo Lights is throwing a pajama party, and yes, you can wear flannel in public with pride. Get in early with the littles, meet Santa, ride the carousel on repeat, sample toddler-friendly treats, then let Henry the Lion read stories before he tucks in.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/3 Rhett Miller @ Atwood Music Hall – 7 pm
• 12/4 Shelley Faith @ The Green Room Public House – 6 pm
• 12/4 Advance Base and more @ Communication – 7 pm
• 12/4 Miki Yamanaka Trio @ Cafe Coda – 7 pm
• 12/5 The Music Department @ Muso – 7 pm
• 12/5 The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center @ Wisconsin Union Theater – 7:30 pm
• 12/5 Miguel Zenón and more @ Arts + Literature Laboratory – 7:30 pm
• 12/5 The Lemonheads @ Majestic Theatre – 8 pm
• 12/5 Gustavo Cortiñas Quartet @ North Street Cabaret – 8 pm