Elkhorn Community Guide
Quick answer: Elkhorn is the Walworth County seat, a city of about 10,000 people about 15 minutes northwest of Lake Geneva. It’s home to the county fair (Labor Day week), Elkhorn Ribfest (mid-July), a 1926 band shell and a square known as “Christmas Card Town.”
For lake time, Lauderdale Lakes is about 15 minutes northwest. For golf, Evergreen has 27 public holes on the edge of town. Chicago is about 90 miles away.
Elkhorn got its name in 1836, when Col. Samuel Phoenix found elk antlers in a tree here. It’s been the county seat ever since, and the courthouse square is still the center of things: the farmers market, the December parade and the antique shops.
The city runs on a full-year calendar. The fairgrounds host something most months, and I-43 puts Milwaukee about 45 minutes away.
Elkhorn at a glance
| Fact | Elkhorn, WI |
|---|---|
| Population | 10,045 (July 2025 Census estimate) |
| County | Walworth County seat |
| To Geneva Lake | About 10 miles to Lake Geneva or Williams Bay, 15 minutes |
| To Lauderdale Lakes | About 15 minutes northwest |
| To Chicago (Loop) | About 90 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes |
| To Milwaukee | About 45 miles, 45 minutes |
| Lake access | Lauderdale Lakes and Elkhorn Lake nearby; Geneva Lake public beaches 15 minutes |
| Highways | I-43, US-12, WI-11, WI-67 |
| School district | Elkhorn Area School District |
| Municipal website | City of Elkhorn |
Quick picks
Things to do in Elkhorn
1. Elkhorn Bandshell in Sunset Park
FreeHistoryA Classical Revival band shell that started on the courthouse square and moved to Sunset Park in 1962. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and turned 100 in 2026.
The hollow shell was built to carry sound without speakers. The city is raising $1.3 million to restore it; details are on the restoration page.
2. Walworth County Fair and the fairgrounds
FairRibfestElkhorn has hosted the county fair since 1851, and it’s billed as the largest county fair in Wisconsin. The same grounds host Elkhorn Ribfest in mid-July and the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market on select Sundays.
3. Evergreen Golf Club
GolfFish fry27 public holes with rolling fairways and water, one of the better golf values in the area. The Bunker Bar & Grill serves lunch and dinner daily with a Friday fish fry. See the golf guide for nearby courses.
4. The courthouse square and Webster House
HistoryAntiquesAntique shops and coffee stops ring the square. Webster House, built in 1836 as the land office and later home to composer Joseph P. Webster, is on the National Register.
Tip: The Vintage Shop Hop in early March is the best weekend for antique hunting.
5. Saturdays on the Square
Farmers marketFreeProduce, food vendors and live music on the square. More markets in the farmers market guide.
Restaurants in Elkhorn
2. Annie’s Burger Town
BurgersSundaesBurgers, hot dogs and sundaes with carhop service. A summer-night stop.
More places to eat near Elkhorn
The Bunker Bar & Grill
Patio over the course, live music on summer weekends, Friday fish fry.
Lauderdale Landing
Lakeside bar and restaurant with pier slips for diners who come by boat.
Lefty’s
Hot dogs and milkshakes at outdoor tables.
Lake Geneva is 15 minutes away: see the restaurants guide, the supper clubs guide and the fish fry guide.
Parks, lakes and trails
Lauderdale Lakes
BoatingSki shows3 connected glacial lakes: Green, Middle and Mill. Boating, fishing and swimming, with cottages and year-round homes along the shore.
Tip: Southern Wakes United puts on free weekly water ski shows in summer on Lauderdale Lakes, Whitewater Lake and Elkhorn Lake. Check its schedule for nights.
| Park or trail | What’s there |
|---|---|
| Sunset Park | The 1926 band shell, Sunset Pool and athletic fields |
| Veterans Park | Downtown square park; Saturdays on the Square |
| Babe Mann Park | Fishing access and paths |
| White River State Trail | About 19 miles of crushed-stone trail heading east from Elkhorn |
For more lakes, see the 26 lakes guide and the fishing guide.
Events through the year
Summer (June to August)
Saturdays on the Square every week, free band shell concerts in Sunset Park, Elkhorn Ribfest at the fairgrounds in mid-July, and Bethel’s Farmers Market and Faire in early August.
Fall (September and October)
The Walworth County Fair over Labor Day week, the Holiday Craft Bash in early October and Elkhorn Oktoberfest on the square in mid-October. See Oktoberfest around the lake.
Winter (December to February)
Christmas Card Town’s tree lighting and parade in early December, then the Winter Artisan Market downtown. See winter activities.
Spring (March to May)
The Vintage Shop Hop in early March, Touch-A-Truck at Sunset Park and a food truck festival in May, and the first Antique Flea Market of the season at the fairgrounds.
Weekly listings: What’s happening at the lake and the events calendar.
Schools
The Elkhorn Area School District serves the city. Addresses around Lauderdale Lakes and in the outlying towns can fall in other districts, so confirm by address.
| Level | Schools |
|---|---|
| 4K and elementary | Jackson, Tibbets and West Side elementaries |
| Middle | Elkhorn Area Middle School |
| High | Elkhorn Area High School |
| Charter | Career & College Academy, Options Virtual Charter, Southern Lakes College Academy |
Commute and getting here
| To | Distance | Typical drive | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Lake Geneva | About 10 miles | 15 minutes | US-12 |
| Delavan | About 6 miles | 10 minutes | I-43 or WI-11 |
| Milwaukee | About 45 miles | 45 minutes | I-43 |
| Milwaukee airport | About 45 miles | 45 minutes | I-43 to I-894 |
| Chicago Loop | About 90 miles | 1 hour 45 minutes | US-12 to I-94 |
| O’Hare | About 75 miles | About 1.5 hours | US-12 to I-94 |
Homes in the Elkhorn area
| Property type | What you’ll find | Spring 2026 snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| City of Elkhorn | Older homes near the square and newer single-family subdivisions | Median sold about $331K |
| Lauderdale Lakes lake access | Cottages and homes with association or deeded access | Median sold about $562K |
| Lauderdale Lakes lakefront | Waterfront homes with private piers | Median sold about $1.7M |
| Town acreage (La Grange, Sugar Creek, Lafayette) | Country homes, pole barns, hobby farms, acreage | Varies with land |
| Near Evergreen Golf Club | Homes near the course, no golf-community HOA | Varies |
Figures are spring 2026 snapshots; check current listings for today’s numbers.
Best of Elkhorn
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best free | Band shell concerts | A 1926 shell built for acoustics |
| Best event | Walworth County Fair | Running since 1851 |
| Best summer weekend | Elkhorn Ribfest | Ribs and live music in mid-July |
| Best golf | Evergreen | 27 public holes |
| Best on the water | Lauderdale Lakes | 3 connected lakes, free ski shows |
| Best fish fry | Someplace Else | Friday cod |
Mistakes people make
Booking a hotel during fair week at the last minute. Rooms near the fairgrounds go fast during Labor Day week. Book early.
Assuming Lauderdale Lakes is in Elkhorn. It’s in the Town of La Grange, about 15 minutes northwest, with its own lake association.
Guessing the school district. Outlying addresses can fall in other districts. Check by address.
Frequently asked questions
What is Elkhorn, Wisconsin known for?
It’s the Walworth County seat, nicknamed “Christmas Card Town” for its holiday-decorated square. It’s home to the Walworth County Fair (since 1851), Elkhorn Ribfest, a 1926 band shell on the National Register and Evergreen Golf Club.
Why is Elkhorn called Christmas Card Town?
The city decorates its downtown square for the holidays and has been known as “Christmas Card Town” since before World War II. The tree lighting and parade happen in early December.
What are the best things to do in Elkhorn?
Catch a free concert at the 1926 band shell in Sunset Park, go to Saturdays on the Square, play Evergreen’s 27 holes, spend a day on Lauderdale Lakes, and plan around Ribfest in July and the county fair over Labor Day week.
When is the Walworth County Fair?
Labor Day week every year, at the fairgrounds at 411 E. Court St. in Elkhorn.
What is Lauderdale Lakes?
3 connected glacial lakes (Green, Middle and Mill) in the Town of La Grange, about 15 minutes northwest of Elkhorn. They’re known for boating, fishing and free summer water ski shows.
How far is Elkhorn from Lake Geneva and Chicago?
About 10 miles (15 minutes) to Lake Geneva, about 90 miles (1 hour 45 minutes) to Chicago, and about 45 miles (45 minutes) to Milwaukee via I-43.
What school district is Elkhorn in?
The Elkhorn Area School District, with Jackson, Tibbets and West Side elementaries, Elkhorn Area Middle School, Elkhorn Area High School and 3 charter schools. Outlying addresses may fall in other districts.
What kinds of homes are in Elkhorn?
Older homes near the square and newer subdivisions in the city, lake-access and lakefront homes on Lauderdale Lakes, and country homes and acreage in the towns of La Grange, Sugar Creek and Lafayette.
What is the population of Elkhorn, WI?
10,045 as of the July 1, 2025 Census Bureau estimate. The 2020 Census counted 10,247.
Thinking about Elkhorn or Lauderdale Lakes?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover Elkhorn and the lakes around it, from homes a few blocks off the courthouse square to Lauderdale Lakes cottages and acreage in La Grange and Sugar Creek.
Search Elkhorn properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.