Milwaukee comes alive with festive cheer every season, and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate with family, friends and the wider community. Experience the holiday magic with dazzling light festivals, engaging immersive displays, traditional brunches with Santa, and much more. Here is your ultimate guide to 20 must-do holiday events and activities around Milwaukee this season.
Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village Holiday Decorations
NOV. 16-JAN. 25, MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM
Two of Milwaukee Public Museum’s most beloved exhibits, Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village, will turn into immersive winter wonderlands featuring festive decor, holiday lights, and seasonal scenery. On Dec. 13, docents dressed in period attire will bring the European Village to life by welcoming visitors and sharing historic stories.
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
NOV. 20-JAN. 1, DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
Starting Nov. 20, Downtown Milwaukee will sparkle with more than half a million holiday lights, interactive displays, and six weeks of festive events. While admiring the lights, hop on the Jingle Bus for a guided tour of the city, ice skate with elves, and enjoy live music and dance performances.
Pabst Mansion Holiday Display
NOV. 20-JAN. 4 FROM 10 A.M.-4 P.M. ON MONDAY-SATURDAY, 11 A.M.-2 P.M. ON SUNDAY, PABST MANSION
Each year, the historic Pabst Mansion undergoes a dazzling transformation with holiday decor. Explore the festive rooms, shimmering lights and decorated trees at your own pace on a self-guided tour.
Downtown Milwaukee Holiday Ornament Trail
NOV. 20-JAN. 18, 301 W. WISCONSIN AVENUE
This public art installation on Wisconsin Avenue, Water Street, Historic Third Ward and Near West Side showcases 20 massive ornaments, each hand painted by a locally or nationally renowned artist with Milwaukee ties. Pick up an ornament trail activity guide to enjoy discounts and promotions from participating businesses as you explore the display.
City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting
NOV. 21 FROM 5-7 P.M., 1111 VEL R. PHILLIPS AVE.
Watch the Deer District turn into the Cheer District for the 2025 Holiday Season. The 112th annual Christmas Tree Lighting starts at 6 p.m. and will be accompanied by a special visit from Santa, free hot chocolate, reindeer games, and other festive activities.
FEZtival of Trees
NOV. 22-29 (CLOSED ON THANKSGIVING), TRIPOLI SHRINE CENTER
Enjoy a choreographed music light show, photo opportunities with Santa, a craft fair, holiday raffles, and more at Tripoli’s 8th Annual Tree FEZtival. The drawing of winners and awarding of prizes will be presented at 6 p.m. on Nov 29.
Christmas Carnival of Lights
NOV. 22-JAN. 31 (TIMES VARY), 8425 HWY 38, CALEDONIA
This drive-through light show is the biggest and brightest in the Midwest, featuring 3 million lights to kick off a two-month festive celebration. Slide down a snowless tube slide in the Candy Village, visit Santa at his workshop, and explore other unique holiday attractions experiences.
Fall Harvest Meal at Milwaukee Public Library
NOV. 25 FROM 5:30-7:30 P.M., MILWAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY MITCHELL STREET BRANCH
Celebrate the Thanksgiving season with a free festive holiday dinner prepared by Chef Sharrie of Cargill Community Kitchen. Vegetarian options are available. Register through the library’s Facebook page, with walk-ins welcome as space allows.
Candy Cane Lane
NOV. 28-DEC. 25, WEST ALLIS
Candy Cane Lane is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. From 92nd to 96th street, this holiday lights display features over 300 festively decorated homes. The long-standing tradition serves as a fundraiser for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, helping raise millions of dollars for childhood cancer research.
Breakfast with Santa at the Pfister Hotel
NOV. 29-30, DEC. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 FROM 8:30-10 A.M., 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M., THE PFISTER HOTEL
Santa and his elves will visit the Pfister’s newly renovated ballroom for a festive holiday breakfast. Enjoy pancakes and other traditional breakfast favorites served by the hotel’s chefs while children receive special gifts, write letters to Santa, and make crafts. Professional family photos with Santa will also be available.
Christmas in the Ward
DEC. 5 FROM 5:30-8:30 P.M. CATALANO SQUARE
The Third Ward’s Christmas-themed evening includes s’more roasting, food trucks, a cookie sale and performances by Milwaukee Police Band, First Stage, Skylight Music Theatre, and more. Watch the tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus and Milwaukee dignitaries and end the night with a lively firework display over the river.
Menomonee Falls Cookie Crawl
DEC. 5-6 FROM 10 A.M.-5 P.M.
This beloved tradition is now in its 4th year. Purchase a cookie crawl box online or at the district office, and explore the district by visiting all the participating local businesses. Each shop will give you a delicious treat to fill your box.
Parade of Gingerbread Houses
DEC. 5-14, MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
Head to the Market’s Palm Garden on the second level to see a display of hand-crafted gingerbread houses created by students from the Milwaukee Area Technical College Bakery Program. Visitors can admire the student’s creations and even bid in an auction to take a gingerbread house home.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Christmas on the Corner
DEC. 6 FROM 2-6 P.M., 222 E. MAIN ST., PORT WASHINGTON
Celebrate the holidays in Port Washington with horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa and his reindeer, crafts, hot cocoa bars, and a s’more warming zone. Enjoy a window display contest, a community tree lighting ceremony, a nighttime parade, and Ozaukee County’s only December fireworks show.
Wauwatosa Holiday Train
DEC. 10 FROM 4-4:45 P.M., HARWOOD AVE CROSSING, WAUWATOSA
The holiday train visits communities across Canada and the United States, featuring free holiday-themed concerts performed from its box car stage and a fantastic light display. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations to support their fundraising efforts against food insecurity.
Santa Hustle Milwaukee
DEC. 7, RACES BEGIN AT 8 A.M., VETERANS PARK
Participate in a half marathon, a 10K, or a 5K at this national charity event. The course will start and finish at Veteran’s Park. Participants receive a long sleeve shirt, beanie and a finisher medal. Kids aged 2-10 years old can participate in the half-mile Rudolph Run with a complimentary Santa beard and hat. Official maps are available on Santa Hustle’s Website.
Holidays on the Hop
DEC. 7, 14, 21 FROM 4-6 P.M., LOCATIONS VARY.
The Hop streetcar will host live holiday-themed music performances along with holiday cookies provided by the Baird Center and Levy Restaurants. Enjoy performances by Marquette University Meladies and Milwaukee Choristers, JL Russell, and Sarah Fierek on the streetcar.
Cocoa with the Clauses
DEC. 13 FROM 11 A.M.-2 P.M., CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
Santa and Mrs. Claus are returning to Cathedral Square Park for this free, festive outdoor event. Children can share their wish lists, snap photos with the couple and meet Santa’s elves. Guests can enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cocoa sponsored by Educators Credit Union.
Brunch with Santa at Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
DEC. 13-14 FROM 9-10:30 A.M, 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M., SAINT KATE
Santa’s coming to Saint Kate’s Simone Ballroom for a morning of memories. Enjoy traditional buffet favorites while snapping photos with Santa. Each child will have the opportunity to receive a special gift, make crafts and write personalized letters to Santa.
Cocoa and Claus at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
DEC. 20 FROM 9 A.M.-12 P.M., BETTY BRINN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Santa Claus is coming to the Betty Brinn museum for Santa Story times, cocoa-catapult building, and tinker tree crafts in the Be A Maker Space. Hot chocolate will be provided by Stone Creek Coffee, and family portraits will be taken on site. Tickets are required and can be purchased online through the museum’s website.
For holiday markets, check out our Holiday Markets guide here.
