Featured Events
1. Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. | DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
Check out more than a half-million dazzling lights at Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette parks and Zeidler Union Square, during the opening night of the 27th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Along with the pre-show entertainment at 5:30 p.m., attendees can expect an evening of live music, dance routines, fireworks, a visit from the Clauses and more. Plus, a free “Jingle Bus” will be touring festive scenes sprinkled throughout the rest of Downtown.
2. Wheel of Fortune Live
FRIDAY AT 7:30 P.M. | MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
This touring show is bringing the TV experience to Milwaukee, with audience members randomly selected to compete for trips and cash prizes. Get tickets online for a chance to spin a replica of the iconic wheel on stage at the Marcus Center.
3. Holiday Folk Fair International
FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | STATE FAIR PARK EXPO CENTER
The theme for this 82nd annual festival is traditional music, featuring performances that emphasize cultural identity. Food, dance and art from around the globe that is connected to the people living in southeastern Wisconsin will be shared.
4. Domes’ Holiday Show
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | MITCHELL PARK DOMES
Magical may not be the first word that comes to mind,when thinking of the Wisconsin winter ahead, but the Domes has a holiday oasis in store. Beginning this Saturday until Jan. 4, you can explore the great indoors with a decked-out tree, holiday decorations and poinsettias aplenty.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
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5. Boswell
ALL WEEKEND | NEXT ACT THEATRE
Witness a sparring of the heart and mind, brought to Next Act Theatre by Milwaukee-based playwright Marie Kohler. The latest adaptation of her show ‘Boswell’ follows American grad student Joan as she stumbles upon the writings of Scottish biographer James Boswell.
6. Deer District Holiday Market
ALL WEEKEND | DEER DISTRICT
Head to the plaza outside the Fiserv Forum for the Deer District’s first-ever Holiday Market. There will be a curated lineup of local vendors, holiday-themed photo opportunities and seasonal food and beverage specials at this free event, running until Nov. 30. The market will be closed on Nov. 27 to observe Thanksgiving Day.
7. Handel’s Messiah
ALL WEEKEND | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s holiday classic is returning for the Symphony Chorus’ 50th anniversary. Acclaimed guest conductor Nicholas McGegan holds 50 Handel albums under the belt of his career and a 20-year tenure as the conductor of Germany’s International Handel Festival in Göttingen.
8. Booksgiving
THURSDAY FROM 4-6 P.M. | THE IVY HOUSE
Follow the yellow brick road to Booksgiving at the Ivy House. Bernie’s Book Bank is hosting a day of giving, featuring volunteer opportunities, kid-friendly activities, entertainment and light refreshments. Each year, this signature family fundraiser pays tribute to a beloved book that inspires the past, present and future generations of readers and leaders — Booksgiving 2025 is inspired by The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
9. Companionably Quiet Reading
THURSDAY AT 6 P.M. | GREAT LAKES DISTILLERY
If you’ll already be turning pages on Thursday night, check out how Great Lakes Distillery likes to get down. You can BYO book to Companionably Quiet Reading, a space for readers, writers and other hobbyists to get lost in their own escape, with good company and cold brews.
10. Vegan Friendsgiving
THURSDAY AT 6 P.M. | DEAD BIRD BREWING CO.
This Brewer’s Hill brewery is hosting an AYCE vegan friendsgiving, featuring seasonal favorites and local flavor. Roasted butternut squash rosemary focaccia, BBQ tofu and Dead Bird’s loaded italian sausage stuffing are a few selections to be found at the night’s buffet.
11. Bird (1988) Film Screening & Live Jazz Performance
THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. | JAZZ GALLERY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The UW-Whitewater jazz combo will perform a set of Charlie Parker standards, following a screening of Clint Eastwood’s Bird, the 1988 musical biography of Parker, starring Forest Whitaker. This event is not ticketed, but a donation of $15 by the general public and $10 by students is suggested.
12. AJ Green’s Beer Release Party
FRIDAY FROM 6:30-8 P.M. | BROKEN BAT BREWERY
Milwaukee’s own AJ Green will be on-site at Broken Bat for the 2026 release of his signature cream ale Green Light. Stop by between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to tap the first keg and crack the first cans of the season.
13. Bucks vs. Pistons
SATURDAY AT 7 P.M. | FISERV FORUM
Watch the Bucks take on the Detroit Pistons inside the Forum (or at your favorite Milwaukee sports bar) on Saturday night. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
14. Echoes of Hope
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In collaboration with Violins of Hope Wisconsin, Danceworks MKE will perform new works that honor Holocaust-era experiences, with help from the Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra.
15. Brunch & Beats
SUNDAY FROM 11 A.M.-2 P.M. | ON TAP
DJ Fuzzy Logic will be spinning classic vinyls starting at 11 a.m., during On Tap’s “Kegs & Eggs” brunch served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
