What’s Happening at the Lake | October 2025 Edition

🍁 A New Season, A Fresh Vibe

Hey Lake Lovers—it’s that magical time of year again! Crisp mornings, cozy sweaters, and a calendar bursting with autumn adventures. The crowds of summer have thinned, the air smells of campfires and apple cider, and the charm of fall is everywhere around Geneva Lake.

This month’s What’s Happening at the Lake is your insider’s guide to everything local—from Oktoberfest celebrations to haunted tours, live music, and can’t-miss wine events.

Brought to you by Kim & Joel Reyenga of eXp Realty, your trusted Lake Geneva real estate experts, this series connects you to the community heartbeat that makes our lake towns so special. Because here at YourWiscoHome.com, we know that life by the lake isn’t just about where you live—it’s about how you live.

🍻 Oktoberfest Returns to Downtown Lake Geneva

One of the area’s favorite traditions, Lake Geneva Oktoberfest is back and bigger than ever, celebrating 30 years of fall fun.

Set for Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday, October 12, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. in Flat Iron Park, this two-day festival delivers everything you’d expect from a Midwest Oktoberfest—with a Lake Geneva twist.

Enjoy an expanded beer garden, authentic German fare, stein-hoisting contests, live music, and the always-entertaining Little Leg Races for Doxies and Corgis. The festival’s main stage will host local and regional favorites all weekend long, with Modern Day Romeos headlining the evening show

Downtown Lake Geneva’s historic streets transform into a Bavarian-style celebration of community, color, and craft beer. The event is free to attend—just bring your appetite and your sense of fun!

🎭 History, Spirits & Scandal: Spooky Season is Here

October brings a chill in the air—and a few goosebumps too! From haunted hayrides to eerie storytelling, Walworth County is packed with ways to celebrate the spooky side of fall.

🕯️ Halloween Legends & Lore at Old World Wisconsin

Running Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 25 (5:30–9:30 p.m.), this annual favorite in nearby Eagle, WI blends folklore, mystery, and fun. Explore Crossroads Village by lantern light as costumed interpreters bring Wisconsin legends—like the Hodag and the Beast of Bray Road—to life

Expect immersive storytelling, Victorian-era myths, and encounters with “ghosts” from the past, plus seasonal treats and hot cider. Children under five attend free, with tickets ranging up to $22.

👻 Haunted Hayride & Hay Barn at Dan Patch Stables

For heart-pounding fun, make your way to Dan Patch Stables at the Grand Geneva Resort. Every Friday and Saturday evening through Oct. 18, wagons depart every 20 minutes into the woods for a frightful ride.

Early evening rides (before 7 p.m.) are family-friendly, while later hours turn up the scares. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids, and the separate Hay Barn attraction adds a dash of eerie laughter to the mix

🕵️ Sordid & Scandalous: A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva

Offered Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 by Wisconsin Historical Society, this guided walking tour peels back Lake Geneva’s refined exterior to reveal wild stories of gangsters, sea serpents, and scandalous socialites. Starting at the Riviera, it’s $15 a ticket—and worth every creepy detail

💀 Spiritualism in the Victorian Era at Black Point Estate

Step back into the 1800s with an after-hours evening at the lake’s most iconic mansion. Sip cordials as historians discuss séances, spirit photography, and the rise of spiritualism. The Oct. 10 date still had limited availability as of press time—so grab your tickets fast!

🍷 Wine, Whiskey & Community Tastings

When the evenings cool, locals warm up with great company and a good pour. October offers plenty of opportunities to do both.

• Drink Bourbon, Save Bosoms – Oct. 9, Maxwell Mansion. This spirited benefit combines whiskey tasting, live music, and raffles—all for a great cause supporting local cancer patient.
  
  
• Wine Talk at The Bottle Shop – Oct. 9, led by representatives from Scotto Cellars in California. A guided tasting through Lodi’s finest for just $15 per person.
  
  
• Vino & Vampires at Niche Café & Wine Bar – Oct. 10, a Halloween-themed tasting for $30 featuring reds, whites, and maybe a “bloody” rosé or two.
  
  
• An Evening with Napa Royalty – Oct. 10 at the Grand Geneva Resort. A five-course wine dinner hosted by Chateau Montelena’s national sales manager—$175 per guest
  
  

Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual sipper, Lake Geneva’s wine and bourbon scene continues to grow—another reason locals love calling this region home.

🎶 Live Music, Laughs & Local Art

October’s lineup proves that even as the nights grow longer, the entertainment never slows down.

• Lara Bell brings soulful acoustic vibes to Maxwell Mansion (Oct. 8).
  
• Georgia Rae, a local fiddle powerhouse, performs at Niche Café & Wine Bar (Oct. 10)
  
• Bad Company Tribute: Burning Sky plays Belfry Music Theatre (Oct. 10–11) for a double shot of classic rock energy.
  
• The Ultimate Doors tribute arrives Oct. 17–18, taking audiences back to the psychedelic 60s
  
• Stand-Up Comedy at The Bottle Shop (Oct. 18) features Midwest comics Alan Salazar, Georgia Moore, and Blake Burkhart for two adults-only shows.
  
  

And don’t forget The Bottle Shop’s art reception Oct. 8 showcasing Caroll Pearson’s paintings—another example of how Lake Geneva nurtures creativity and culture in every corner

🌾 Family Fun Beyond the Lake

🚂 Trick-or-Treat Trains in East Troy

Hop aboard the East Troy Railroad for a Halloween adventure on Oct. 10. Kids can play games, trick-or-treat in Byrnes Park, and pick a pumpkin to take home

🎃 Old-Fashioned Fall Fun at the Grand Geneva

From scenic hikes and harvest décor to fireside s’mores and spa weekends, the Grand Geneva Resort delivers a full fall experience for locals and visitors alike.

🦌 Old World Wisconsin Adventures

Beyond its spooky season lineup, Old World Wisconsin remains a top fall destination for families—offering hands-on history, horse-drawn wagon rides, and living farm exhibits.

🏡 Lake Life Meets Real Life

Every one of these events showcases what makes the Geneva Lake region so special. It’s not just about seasonal fun—it’s about community.

Living here means Saturday strolls through Flat Iron Park, sipping bourbon under string lights, waving to neighbors at the farmer’s market, and watching sunsets over the water as music drifts across the shore.

It’s a lifestyle built on connection—something Kim & Joel Reyenga know better than anyone.

Whether you’re buying your first home, exploring investment properties, or searching for that perfect lakefront retreat, the Reyenga Team offers unmatched local knowledge, trusted expertise, and a true passion for helping others find their place in this beautiful corner of Wisconsin.

Visit YourWiscoHome.com for home searches, market updates, and community features that celebrate the people and places defining lake life.

📅 Mark Your October Calendar

October 8–18 Highlights

• Oct. 8: Artist Reception | The Bottle Shop
  
  
• Oct. 9: Drink Bourbon Save Bosoms | Maxwell Mansion
  
  
• Oct. 10–11: Halloween Legends & Lore | Old World Wisconsin
  
  
• Oct. 10–11: Bad Company Tribute | Belfry Music Theatre
  
  
• Oct. 10: Vino & Vampires | Niche Café & Wine Bar
  
  
• Oct. 11–12: Lake Geneva Oktoberfest | Flat Iron Park
  
  
• Oct. 11: Sordid & Scandalous Tour | Lake Geneva Cruise Line
  
  
• Oct. 12: J Henry Live | Topsy Turvy Brewery
  
  
• Oct. 17–18: The Doors Tribute | Belfry Music Theatre
  
  
• Oct. 18: Stand-Up Comedy | The Bottle Shop
  
  

❤️ The Heartbeat of the Lake

Whether you’re raising a glass at Oktoberfest, laughing at The Bottle Shop, or snuggling up for a haunted hayride, fall in Lake Geneva reminds us what makes this community so extraordinary.

It’s small-town warmth with big personality. It’s lakeside living, local love, and a calendar that never runs dry.

So get out there—explore, connect, and celebrate. And when you’re ready to find your forever spot by the water, Kim & Joel Reyenga of eXp Realty are here to help you call it home.

Kim & Joel Reyenga
eXp Realty LLC
📞 (262) 325-9867
🌐 www.YourWiscoHome.com
Your Local Experts in Lake Geneva Real Estate & Lifestyle