1. DakhaBrakha
NOV. 1 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Enjoy Ukrainian folk music from DakhaBrakha, an “ethno chaos” quartet from Kyiv. Expect theater-like visuals, too.
2. Black and White Ball
NOV. 4 | BAIRD CENTER
“Forget Me Nots” singer Patrice Rushen is headlining the Greater Milwaukee Urban League’s 38th annual Black and White Ball, the organization’s biggest fundraiser.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Symphony in Space
NOV. 5 | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Ponder the universe while the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs movements from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, John Williams’ Star Wars theme and other pieces.
4. Grace Weber
NOV. 9 | PABST THEATER
Wauwatosa native Grace Weber returns to the local stage. The Grammy-winning R&B singer and producer’s 2023 tour celebrates her new album, Paperflower.
5. Frozen: The Broadway Musical
NOV. 10-18 | WAUWATOSA WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Tosa West won a contest to stage the state’s only production of the blockbuster musical set in an icebound Arendelle.
Note: This show is now sold out.
6. Uncorked: MKE Wine Fest
NOV. 11 | HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
Enjoy over 100 wines from around the world plus “outside the bottle” beverages like (J. Henry & Sons bourbon), music and after-hours access to the museum.
7. re:Craft & Relic Holiday Market
NOV. 11-12 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX
Claiming to be the largest of its kind in the region, this curated market features artists and designers peddling vintage, handmade and pop-up boutique wares. Live music and food trucks, too.
8. Brad Mehldau Trio
NOV. 14 | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Brad Mehldau, dubbed the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years by The New York Times, is joined by bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard for original works plus covers of the Beatles, Radiohead and others.
9. Dial M for Murder
NOV. 14-DEC. 17 | MILWAUKEE REP
Alfred Hitchcock’s beloved murder mystery starring Grace Kelly was adapted from the work of English playwright Frederick Knott. Now American writer Jeffrey Hatcher is bringing a fresh version to the stage that “is brimming with shocking surprises that will keep you guessing until the end,” says the Rep.
10. Indigenous Voices: Sharing the Wisconsin Sky
NOV. 15 | MANFRED OLSON PLANETARIUM
This live planetarium show highlights the languages, star connections, cultural images and music of six Wisconsin Native American nations.
11. Liberace!
NOV. 15-DEC. 10 | MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE
Milwaukee native Brett Ryback stars in this glittery one-man show about the city’s iconic entertainer, with a piano score that includes Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Ragtime.
12. School of Rock
NOV. 17-DEC. 30 | SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATER
Remember Jack Black in 2003’s School of Rock? Well, Andrew Lloyd Webber turned the hit comedy into a musical. See failed musician Dewey Finn sneakily teach rock at an upper-crust elementary school.
13. Holiday Folk Fair International
NOV. 15 | STATE FAIR PARK
Milwaukee has a rich multicultural heritage; take it in at the 80th annual Holiday Folk Fair International. Global goods, lively dancing, booth after booth of varied food, and a chef’s stage take you around the world.
14. “Holiday Show”
NOV. 17-DEC. 30 | TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY
You’ll find original paintings, drawings, photography and sculpture for sale from known and emerging regional artists at this show, curated by the gallery.
15. “50 Paintings”
NOV. 17-JUNE 23 | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
A crash course in art trends, MAM’s “50 Paintings” features recent works by 50 international artists, including Amy Sherald, Cinga Samson, GaHee Park and Peter Barrickman.
16. Feztival of Trees
NOV. 18-25 | TRIPOLI SHRINE CENTER
Curious about the striking Tripoli Shrine on Wisconsin Avenue? Check it out at the Feztival of Trees, when the Shrine will be fully decorated with holiday trees and wreaths. Plus, there’ll be a cafe, pics with Santa and a light show to kick off the season.
17. Milwaukee Turkey Trot
NOV. 23 | McKINLEY PARK
Want to free up space for Thanksgiving Dinner while helping a good cause? Walk or run this 5K/8K along Lincoln Memorial Drive, with proceeds going to Hunger Task Force.
18. The Taylor Party
NOV. 25 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Suit up in your best Eras outfit and shake it off at this Taylor Swift-themed dance party.
19. NUTCRACKER!
NOV. 28 | THE RIVERSIDE THEATRE
Revel in the massive puppets, opulent sets and stunning acrobatics on stage for this classic holiday ballet featuring an international cast.
20. Yippee Ki Yay
NOV. 30-DEC. 2 | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Die Hard aficionados will find a lot to love and laugh at in this silly fan retelling of the classic ’80s film penned by and starring British poet Richard Marsh. And yes, Die Hard is in fact a Christmas movie.
