Art & Culture
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
➸ Nov. 14 – Jan. 2
If you have yet to see a pack of musically talented animals perform Christmas music in the middle of a shopping center, you have until Jan. 2 to watch 18 animatronic bears charm young and old audiences alike.
grandavenueshops.com
Grand Avenue Christmas
➸ Nov. 18 – Jan. 8
Explore the festive opulence that adorns each and every room of the Pabst Mansion.
pabstmansion.com
Holiday Treasures & Traditions Exhibition
➸ Nov. 19 – Dec. 31
Travel back in time to celebrate Milwaukee’s annual Holiday Parade via decorations, photographs, relics and stories from years past.
milwaukeehistory.net
Not a Creature Was Stirring – Holiday Floral Show
➸ Nov. 19 – Jan. 1
Walk through the winter wonderland created in the beautifully lit show dome at the Milwaukee Park Horticultural Conservatory. Fir, pine and spruce trees serve as sanctuaries for forest critters while poinsettias procure holiday cheer.
milwaukeedomes.org
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
➸ Nov. 25 – Dec. 31
Join Rudolph and his pals in their quest to save Christmas as the cherished TV classic returns to the stage at the Todd Wehr Theater.
marcuscenter.org
BMO Harris Bank Holiday Display
➸ Nov. 28 – Jan. 2
Take in the sight of 150 life-size Steiff animals at BMO Harris Bank’s Holiday Display. For each visitor, BMO Harris will donate $5 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. Free and open to the public.
bmoharris.com
A Christmas Carol
➸ Nov. 29 – Dec. 24
Immerse yourself in the glow of the Christmas spirit with the most elaborate and technologically advanced adaptation of the production in Milwaukee to date.
milwaukeerep.com
MIAD Holiday Sale
➸ Dec. 1 – 3
Put down the hot glue gun and sift through scores of locally made gifts at MIAD’s holiday sale, with prices starting at $10.
miad.edu
The Wizards of Winter
➸ Dec. 17
Featuring former members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, don’t expect the Wizards of Winter to perform traditional Christmas music; these progressive rock holiday tunes are anything but typical.
ticketmaster.com
The Nutcracker
➸ Dec. 10 – Dec. 27
It’s impossible not to be awestruck by the beauty and talent that the Milwaukee Ballet procures in The Nutcracker.
milwaukeeballet.org
Kooky Cooky House
➸ Mid-Nov. – Jan.
The original Kooky Cooky House, a chalet containing an enchanting cookie factory, brought joy to children from the ’60s through the ’80s. Create new memories at Discovery World’s recreation of the Milwaukee holiday favorite.
discoveryworld.org
Dining
Hot Cocoa & Cookies in December in the Monarch Lounge
➸ Mon. – Sat. in December
Sit back and relax with cookies and hot cocoa (add booze for an additional $5) in the cozy Monarch Lounge at the Hilton.
hiltonmilwaukee.com
Ugly Sweater Party
➸ Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23
Don your favorite ugly sweater or bring one to donate to Kagel School and receive your first tap beer free of charge.
millertimepubandgrill.com
Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus Tour
➸ Dec. 2 – 24
Try delicious holiday candies, cookies and pastries from some of the best bakeries in Milwaukee and enjoy tales of ethnic holiday traditions on the way.
milwaukeefoodtours.com
Breakfast with Santa
➸ Dec. 3, 10 and 17
Dine with Santa and his elves in the Pfister’s decorative ballroom, where each child will receive a special gift.
thepfisterhotel.com
Christmas Lights & Desserts Tour
➸ Dec. 3 – Dec. 23
Taste desserts and hot chocolate as you travel to one local restaurant to another by mini coach, enjoying the downtown lights on the way.
milwaukeefoodtours.com
Christmas Eve at Milwaukee ChopHouse
➸ Dec. 24
Enjoy Milwaukee ChopHouse’s scrumptious dinner menu along with the company of loved ones on Christmas Eve.
chophouse411.com
Glühwein & Sweets Special at CLEAR
➸ Dec. 24
Sample desserts while you enjoy Glühwein (European mulled wine) at the InterContinental.
intercontinentalmilwaukee.com
Christmas Day at Kil@wat
➸ Dec. 25
Feast with family and friends on Kil@wat’s outstanding plated brunch.
kilawatcuisine.com
New Year’s Eve with a View at Blu
➸ Dec. 31
Ring in the New Year with an epic view of the Milwaukee skyline at Blu Bar and Lounge on the 23rd floor at the Pfister.
blumilwaukee.com
Outdoor Activities
Milwaukee Coach & Carriage
➸ Ongoing
Marvel at the Christmas lights while riding a horse-drawn carriage through downtown Milwaukee.
milwaukeecarriage.com
Santa’s Mailbox
➸ Nov. 18 – Dec. 11
Make your child’s dream come true! Deliver letters to Santa in his mailbox at Cathedral Square Park, then be on the look out for a personalized letter from ol’ Kris Kringle.
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Jingle Bus Rides
➸ Nov. 18 – Dec. 30
For just $1 per person, climb aboard the Jingle Bus to admire the holiday decor that adorns Milwaukee’s downtown while learning about the city’s landmarks.
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Ideal Property Management, Inc. Christmas Tree Lot
➸ Nov. 19 – Dec. 24
Breathe in that fresh pine scent while browsing Wisconsin Christmas trees, garland, wreaths and decorations at this old-fashioned tree lot.
ideal-landscaping.net/treelots.html
Holiday Lights Walking Tour
➸ Dec. 1 – Dec. 24
Play Christmas trivia and learn about the history of Milwaukee while you follow an elf through 1.25 miles of the city’s most beautifully decorated streets.
gothicmilwaukee.com
28th Annual Christmas in the Ward
➸ Dec. 2 – Dec. 3
Get into the holiday spirit with a vast array of Christmas activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, live holiday music and fireworks over the river.
historicthirdward.org
Jolly’s Outdoor Gingerbread House
➸ Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10
Nibble on a cookie while you tell Santa what’s on your Christmas list at Jolly’s Outdoor Gingerbread House.
historicthirdward.org
Santa Hustle 5K Milwaukee Run/Walk
➸ Dec. 3
Throw your Santa hat on and grab your running shoes. Whether you choose to spectate or participate, you won’t want to miss the sight of thousands of Santas scurrying through Veterans Park.
santahustle.com/milwaukee
CP Holiday Train
➸ Dec. 5
Watch the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, adorned with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights, pass through the Milwaukee Intermodal Station from 6:50 p.m. to 7:20 p.m.
cpr.ca/holiday-train/canada
Slice of Ice
➸ Dec. 15 – March 2017
Bring your own skates or rent a pair at Slice of Ice, the downtown ice-skating facility in Red Arrow Park. Warm up with a hot drink at the Starbucks next to the ring.
countyparks.com
