1. MATC Parade of Gingerbread Houses
ALL WEEKEND | MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
Students from the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Bakery Program crafted gingerbread houses, which will be on display at Milwaukee Public Market this weekend. Everyone is welcome to admire the showcase, attendance is free.
2. Waterford’s Old Fashioned Christmas Market
ALL WEEKEND | AVIDITY SCIENCE
The Village of Waterford and Waterford Stillhouse are ready to host the first Old Fashioned Christmas Market. The weekend is jam packed with winter fun, including an ice rink, cookie decorating, vendors, music, live music and more. Keep up with the schedule of events on Facebook for the latest updates.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Christmas in the Ward
FRIDAY 5:30-8:30 P.M. | CATALANO SQUARE
Watch and enjoy as Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is transformed with holiday spirit. Free to attend, the evening incudes a tree lighting ceremony, live music, fireworks, festive door, drinks and more.
4. The Commercialists: Charlie Brown Christmas
FRIDAY 7 OR 9 P.M. | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Milwaukee based jazz trio, The Commercialists, bring an annual holiday tradition to the Bradley Symphony Center. Watch as they preform Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Tickets are available for purchase online.
5. Mistletoe Market
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | WAUKESHA COUNTY EXPOSITION CENTER
At the Mistletoe Market, guests can browse through three rooms filled with 100 artists and makers. Plus, shop fresh Christmas greens in bouquets, wreaths and arrangements. The focus is handmade products, and the market costs $5 to attend.
6. Home for the Holidays
FRIDAY AND SATUDAY 10 A.M.-5P.M. | OLD WORLD WISCONSIN
A great option for the whole family, attendees will leave behind the bustle of the modern world become immersed in a land of horse-drawn wagons, hand-crafted holiday keepsakes, Santa’s workshop and more. Tickets are available for purchase online.
7. Very Merry Night Market
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 5-10 P.M. | PILOT PROJECT BREWING MILWAUKEE
SAUCED is set to return to the Pilot Project Brewing Milwaukee again, featuring 40 local vendors for night shoppers to browse. Find handmade ceramics, cozy throw blankets, small-batch hot sauce, one-of-a-kind-local art and more.
8. Allis in Winterland
SATURDAY 4-4 P.M. | WEST ALLIS CITY HALL
This annual event features the transformation of the West Allis City Hall Art Gallery into a Christmas movie inspired event.
This annual event transforms the West Allis City Hall Art Gallery into a Christmas movie-inspired wonderland. This year’s theme is Rankin/Bass’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, so guests can expect activities, decorations, character visits and more.
9. Trails-a-Glow
SATURDAY 4-6 P.M. OR 6-8 P.M.| URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – RIVERSIDE PARK
The Urban Ecology Center will host two winter walks this Saturday. The first is for the whole family to enjoy a candlelit walk through the woods, topped off with activities and adventures along the way. The second is for adults only to sip on warm cider and enjoy cozy surprises.
10. Brady Street’s Winterfest & Holiday Market
SATURDAY 11 A.M.-6 P.M. | BRADY STREET AREA
This Saturday, the Brady Street Holiday Market will come alive for the first time ever, featuring local live music, street vendors, food trucks and hot beverage stations. Fire pits will keep everyone warm as they enjoy the festive atmosphere.
11. Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo
SATURDAY 9:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
This Saturday, all guests will be admitted free to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Guests will have the chance to see the zoo’s four female elk: Arya, Charisa, Cheyenne and Kai. They are the loudest of the deer family, and they are often mistaken for moose.
12. Festival of Lights
SATURDAY 6-8 P.M. | CITY ON A HILL
This Saturday, the roads between State Street and Kilbourn Avenue will be transformed into a holiday display of light and sound. Meet in the parking lot of City on a Hill at 5:30 p.m., enjoy food and festivities, then drive through the Christmas laser light show for the festival of lights.
13. Shorewood Winterfest
SATURDAY 3:30-6:30 P.M. | SHOREWOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Celebrate the holiday season this Saturday at Shorewood’s Winterfest. The family-friendly event includes a meet and greet with Santa, a tree and Menorah lighting, cookie decorating and lots of food and drinks.
14. Very Merry, Holiday Celebration
SUNDAY 10 A.M.- 1 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Milwaukee Co Historical Society is ready to start the season with a Very Merry, Holiday Celebration. Everyone can take photos with Santa, make crafts, sip on hot coco and enjoy cookies from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen.
