Hello Holidays
2026 HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS & EVENTS
Explore below for holiday happenings, free events, and winter fun in Milwaukee! Find plenty of youth activities to keep busy when it's cold outside.
The holiday season is a special time to enjoy family, friends, and neighbors, but it can also be stressful. Please take some time to explore our city over the holiday season, enjoy some new sights and sounds together, and make cherished memories with your loved ones.
The holidays also remind us to be kind to one another and are a time for giving back to those in need or paying it forward to brighten someone's day.
So, get out there and enjoy Milwaukee in the winter season! Just remember to dress for the weather and stay safe when outside.
2026 City of Milwaukee & Milwaukee County Holiday Drive: November 16 - December 14
The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County are partnering for the 2026 Holiday Drive, benefiting the Metcalfe Park People's Pantry, a local food distribution initiative led by Metcalfe Park Community Bridges. Community members are encouraged to participate by dropping off donations at City Hall, or any of the following locations, or by donating through Metcalfe's Amazon Wishlist.
Requested Donation Items:
- Non-perishable food items
- Reusable tote bags
- Baby wipes
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Bar soap
- Toilet paper
- Children's winter coats
- Children's toys (ages 12 and under)
Donation Drop-Off Locations:
- Milwaukee City Hall
- Milwaukee County Courthouse
- Marcia P. Coggs Services Center
- Milwaukee County Zoo
- Community Reintegration Center
- Metcalfe Park Community Bridges
- Capitol Library
- Zablocki Library
- East Branch Library
ONGOING
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
November 20, 2026 through January 1, 2027 at Pere Marquette Park
Downtown’s got it glowing on! See Downtown Milwaukee shine in all its grandeur during the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Whether gathering with family and friends over dinner and drinks, enjoying a show, shopping for unique gifts, riding the festival’s Jingle Bus, or snapping a family selfie among the lights, Downtown Milwaukee is where holiday memories are made.
(KICKOFF EXTRAVAGANZA - Thursday, November 19, 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm - Pre-show entertainment starts at 5:30 pm)
Kick off the holiday season during the city’s largest holiday variety show. The sparkling lineup will include live music, dance performances, free cookies and hot cocoa, fireworks, a visit from the Clauses, and more. Pre-show entertainment begins at 5:30 pm with fireworks launching shortly before 7 pm. Plus, after the show, guests can hop on the Jingle Bus for free!
Deer District Holiday Market
November 20 through December. 6, 2026 on the Plaza at Fiserv Forum, in the Cheer District
November 20 – 113th Annual Milwaukee City Christmas Tree Lighting, Santa Claus & His Reindeer Friends, Bango, Rayven, Milwaukee Dancing Grannies
Deer District will tip off the winter holiday season by hosting the second annual Deer District Holiday Market, presented by Deer District BID #53, and presented by the We Energies Foundation.
Deer District’s Holiday Market will showcase a curated lineup of local vendors, holiday-themed photo opportunities, and seasonal food and beverage specials from Deer District establishments. Also, stop by to send a letter to Santa with Santa's Mailbox! The market is free to attend - we can't wait to celebrate the season with you soon!
The Ornament Trail
Public Art with a Holiday Twist on Display November 19, 2026 - January 17, 2027
Discover the Ornament Trail along Wisconsin Avenue and in nearby neighborhoods. Coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 and the Downtown Placemaking Task Force, the installation features 20 larger-than-life ornaments near restaurants, hotels, and performing arts venues. Each ornament is hand-painted with a theme chosen and illustrated by a locally or nationally renowned artist with Milwaukee ties.
113th Annual City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Friday, November 20
The City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree will be displayed in Cheer District for the fifth straight year and lit by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson at a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 20.
Dynamic Events by David Caruso, designer of the City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree, will produce the tree-lighting ceremony. The City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree is the second-longest running official tree in the United States after New York City, with this year marking the 113th year of the city’s tree.
Celebrations for the City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting will begin at 5 p.m. with a live band and a special performance by Milwaukee Rep’s cast of A Christmas Carol. The tree-lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. with Mayor Johnson and special guest appearances by Bango, Bernie Brewer, DJ Shawna, Santa Claus, and his reindeer friends Comet, Vixen, and Dancer!
Families will also have the opportunity to climb aboard, take a closer look, and explore the vehicles that keep Milwaukee moving! Featuring the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and Milwaukee County Transit System.
NOVEMBER
83rd Annual Holiday Folk Fair International
Friday, November 20 - Sunday, November 22, 2026 - State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Holiday Folk Fair International is America’s premier multicultural festival, presented by the International Institute of Wisconsin. For three days, dozens of cultural communities share their music, dance, food, and traditions so visitors can experience the world face to face, right here in Milwaukee. Proceeds support IIW’s nonprofit cultural education and community programs. THIS IS A PAID EVENT.
Free Thanksgiving feast Nov. 29 marks final free community meal
Bay View United Methodist Church, 2772 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, will serve its last free community meal – as it now operates – with its Traditional Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 29 (the Sunday after the holiday) from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. All are welcome to its table of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, bread and butter, other side dishes, and an assortment of desserts.
DECEMBER
Open Maker Time: Handmade Holidays
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Celebrate December with three weeks of hands-on creativity! Create various indoor winter decorations for friends and family. Create various indoor winter decorations before moving into a week featuring cookie decorating and making your own photo frames. The final week, make ornaments, DIY wrapping paper, gift bags, and handmade cards. Every week you can make something special, perfect for spreading holiday cheer this season.
Charles Allis Art Museum - Free First Thursdays
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Free on the first Thursday of the month. In the event of holiday closures, admission will be free on the second Thursday of the month.
Milwaukee Public Museum - Free First Thursdays
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - ALL visitors* (excluding groups) receive FREE access to the permanent exhibits of MPM on the first Thursday of every month during Kohl's Thank You Thursday. *Children must be accompanied by an adult to receive free admission. Admission is free, but we strongly recommend advance reservations.* Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed.
Christmas in the Ward
Friday, December 4, 2026, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (6:45 p.m Fireworks display over the Milwaukee River, followed by holiday music).
Catalano Square, 147 N. Broadway
‘Tis the season to celebrate! On Friday, Dec. 4, the Historic Third Ward ushers in the holiday season with its 37th annual Christmas in the Ward event. Christmas in the Ward is a community event that welcomes thousands of visitors every year to celebrate the holiday season. The festive, family-friendly event — which is free and open to the public — features a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks over the river, a visit from Santa and his reindeer, and much more.
Jump on the Jingle Bus
December 12 - December 27, Friday – Sunday from 5 pm to 8:20 pm (excluding December 25)
Milwaukee County Historical Society
*Weather permitting*
Ooh and ahh at the winter wonderland scenes scattered through out Downtown Milwaukee by hopping on the Jingle Bus, powered by KB Excursions. This 40-minute narrated tour highlights the main attractions of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, including our four parks: “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square, “¡Felices Fiestas!” at Pere Marquette Park, and “Slice of Ice Lights” at Red Arrow Park.
Jingle Bus tickets are $8 per person, excluding tax and fees, and can be purchased in advance. Tickets may also be purchased on-site with cash. This year, buses will depart from the Festival’s new Warming House at the Milwaukee County Historical Society where complimentary cocoa and cookies will be provided to awaiting riders.
Cocoa with the Clauses - Free photo ops and more
Saturday, December 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cathedral Square Park
Santa and Mrs. Claus return for this annual cocoa klatch. The free outdoor event is a chance for kids to share their wish lists and for moms and dads to grab a keepsake photo. Elves and other holiday characters will also be there! Plus, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa will be provided.
Celebrate Hanukkah
Evening of Friday, December 4 – Saturday, December 12, 2026.
- Hanukkah on the Hoan, Dec. 4-12. In partnership with Light the Hoan, the bridge’s support beams will “light” one by one throughout the holiday.
- Mitzvah Day, Tuesday, December 1, 2026 - Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
- Hanukkah with the Admirals!, Saturday, December 5, 2026 - UWM Panther Arena
- Community-wide Hanukkah Event, Sunday, December 6, 2026 - Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
- Chanukah Festival & Gelt Drop, Sunday, December 6, 2026, 4:30-6:30 pm - The Argo, 344 E Silver Spring Dr
Celebrate Kwanzaa
Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 – Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
Kwanzaafest at America's Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM)
Sunday, December 27, 2026 from 12:00-5:00 p.m. - 401 W. North Ave.
Attendees can enjoy shopping with local entrepreneurs, live poetry, raffle prizes, a children’s activity corner, museum tours and more! Enjoy a curated market of local merchandise and food vendors, as well as a children’s educational craft corner.
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Show Up & Show Out
We encourage you to use the hashtag #HelloHolidaysMKE on social media to show us all of the fun adventures you’re having and to highlight our amazing city life in Milwaukee.
We’ll be adding updates all winter long to keep things fresh and highlight the best this city has to offer for are youth to stay engaged and enjoy the winter season.
Please reach out if you'd like to partner with us, to add your information to this site, or if you have any updates.