Let us take you on a festive journey through Milwaukee this holiday season. Whether you're a Milwaukee native or a holiday pilgrim, this guide reveals the city's seasonal soul.
Popular Events: Experience the magic of holiday lights and immersive displays at Enchant Christmas, a dazzling attraction that transforms the local landscape. Another highlight features the European charm of traditional holiday shopping and festive treats at Christkindlmarket, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in rich cultural festivities. And the timeless classic A Christmas Carol is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering heartwarming performances that capture the spirit of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Milwaukee
- Christkindlmarket
- Enchant Christmas (Franklin)
- Holiday Folk Fair International (West Allis)
- Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
- Christmas in the Ward
- A Christmas Carol
- Home For The Holiday’s at Old World Wisconsin (Eagle)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
- Oconomowoc German Christmas Market (Oconomowoc)
- Deck the Streets and Village
See these and even more events listed below!
Milwaukee Holiday Light Displays
Enchant Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive light maze with interactive storytelling.
Description:
Enchant Christmas is an award-winning holiday light maze experience featuring stunning, custom-designed light sculptures, unique ice skating experiences, and numerous festive attractions. The event includes original holiday stories, hidden light sculptures, and interactive activities like nightly caroling and mainstage entertainment.
Where: Franklin | More Info: Enchant Christmas
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
What to Expect:
Illumination of over half a million brilliant bulbs.
Description:
Join us at Pere Marquette Park for the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza, featuring over half a million brilliant bulbs, a star-studded cast including Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks shortly before 7pm.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
Ornament Trail
What to Expect:
Larger-than-life holiday ornaments designed by local and national artists.
Description:
The Ornament Trail features 15 larger-than-life holiday ornaments uniquely hand-painted by local and national artists, showcasing unique artistic visions along Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Ornament Trail
Country Christmas
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-through holiday lights display with festive light displays and themed attractions.
Description:
Country Christmas is a drive-through holiday lights display featuring over a million lights, a trip through the Country Christmas Trail, and entrances to Christmas Village and The Streets of Bethlehem.
Where: Pewaukee | More Info: Country Christmas
Milwaukee Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Traditional German holiday market with over 50 vendors.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German holiday market offering a unique shopping experience with international and local foods, festive music, and cozy atmosphere. Visitors can explore vendor products, participate in special events, and enjoy a family-friendly environment.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Oconomowoc German Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Heated tents and live polka bands throughout the event.
Description:
The Oconomowoc German Christmas Market offers authentic European food, unique shopping opportunities, and live polka music in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Oconomowoc | More Info: Oconomowoc German Christmas Market
Milwaukee Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey through the ghosts of Christmas.
Description:
A Christmas Carol is a timeless tale by Charles Dickens, where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, leading him to a transformative journey of love, hope, and redemption.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: A Christmas Carol
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
What to Expect:
Rowdy siblings bring chaos and joy to the traditional Christmas pageant.
Description:
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a heartwarming musical where the mischievous Herdman siblings crash the church's annual Christmas pageant, forcing the community to see the true meaning of Christmas through their unique perspectives.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Rivoli Holiday Film Festival
What to Expect:
Classic holiday films screened at a beautifully restored theater.
Description:
The Rivoli Theater in Cedarburg presents a holiday film series featuring classic and modern Christmas movies, showcasing beloved stories on the big screen.
Where: Cedarburg | More Info: Rivoli Holiday Film Festival
Christmas in the Ward
What to Expect:
Rare winter fireworks display over the Milwaukee River.
Description:
Christmas in the Ward features live reindeer, costumed characters, a tree lighting ceremony, Santa visits, and a winter fireworks display over the Milwaukee River.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Christmas in the Ward
Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade
What to Expect:
Santa and Mrs. Claus on a vintage fire truck.
Description:
Santa and Mrs. Claus ride atop a vintage fire truck through downtown Milwaukee, accompanied by local singer Sarah Fierek singing jazzy holiday tunes.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade
Holidays On The Hop
What to Expect:
Live holiday-themed performances on the streetcar.
Description:
The Holidays On The Hop event features live music, giveaways, and festive decorations on Milwaukee's streetcar shelters. Each event includes live, holiday-themed performances and free holiday cookies provided by the Baird Center and Levy Restaurants.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Holidays On The Hop
Deck the Streets and Village
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday exhibits showcasing European traditions.
Description:
Explore the decorated Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village exhibits, featuring Victorian-era garland, wreaths, and holiday artifacts. Learn about European traditions through costumed docents and engage in hands-on activities.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Deck the Streets and Village
Holiday Folk Fair International
What to Expect:
Celebrating diverse cultural traditions with interactive exhibits and performances.
Description:
The Holiday Folk Fair International is a premier multicultural festival celebrating the cultural heritage of southeastern Wisconsin through music, food, dance, and art.
Where: West Allis | More Info: Holiday Folk Fair International
Milwaukee Other Holiday Activities
West Allis Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Premier night-time Christmas parade in southeastern Wisconsin.
Description:
The West Allis Christmas Parade is an annual holiday tradition featuring marching bands, live performers, creative floats, and vintage vehicles. Meet elves and cartoon characters, and wave to Santa Claus at the end of the parade.
Where: West Allis | More Info: West Allis Christmas Parade
Home For The Holiday’s at Old World Wisconsin
What to Expect:
Immersive historical holiday celebrations with diverse cultural traditions.
Description:
Home for the Holidays at Old World Wisconsin features 19th-century traditions with holiday activities, food, and shopping. Explore historic homes and shops decked in festive greenery, enjoy holiday crafts, and experience various cultural celebrations.
Where: Eagle | More Info: Home For The Holiday’s at Old World Wisconsin
Santa’s Dash Away 5K
What to Expect:
Unique holiday-themed race packet with festive accessories.
Description:
Join Santa's Dash Away 5K in charming Cedarburg, Wisconsin, for a holiday-themed run/walk benefiting Santa's Workshop. Participants receive a free long sleeve t-shirt, festive elf hat, and other festive goodies.
Where: Cedarburg | More Info: Santa’s Dash Away 5K
Santa’s Mailbox
What to Expect:
Personalized replies to children's letters.
Description:
Drop your child's letters and wish lists into Santa's Mailbox in Cathedral Square Park. Receive a personalized reply from the big guy himself No postage is required; just include a return address.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: Santa’s Mailbox
A Victorian Christmas
What to Expect:
Historical-themed holiday celebration with educational elements.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with a traditional Victorian Christmas at the Schuster Mansion, where guests can enjoy great food, learn about history, and partake in conservation efforts.
Where: Milwaukee | More Info: A Victorian Christmas
Santa Cycle Rampage
What to Expect:
Family-focused bike ride with holiday music and hot cocoa.
Description:
Santa Cycle Rampage is a family-friendly bike ride that supports youth and family-based education programs in Milwaukee and Dane Counties. Riders are encouraged to dress warmly and participate in a festive atmosphere with holiday music and hot cocoa.
Where: Wauwatosa | More Info: Santa Cycle Rampage
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Wauwatosa (5 miles)
- West Allis (5 miles)
- Greenfield (8 miles)
- South Milwaukee (9 miles)
- Brookfield (10 miles)
- Oak Creek (11 miles)
- New Berlin (11 miles)
- Franklin (12 miles)
- Mequon (14 miles)
- Menomonee Falls (14 miles)
- Muskego (15 miles)
- Caledonia (16 miles)
- Waukesha (17 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (24 miles)
- West Bend (30 miles)
- Kenosha (32 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (34 miles)
- Zion (41 miles)
- Watertown (43 miles)