Where to find Christmas tree lightings and other free holiday events in the Milwaukee area
We all can use a little holiday cheer that doesn’t require admission to attend. Here is a roundup of free holiday events, tree lightings, parades, concerts and movies in the Milwaukee area in December.
Tree lightings
Brookfield: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1. Santa and reindeer, live music, warm drinks and treats. 2927 N. Brookfield Road, Brookfield.
Brown Deer: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Holiday tree lighting, with caroling, refreshments, and family-friendly activities. North Shore Fire Station, 4401 W. River Lane, Brown Deer.
Christmas in the Ward: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Town Bank tree lighting ceremony, 6:05 p.m. Music, refreshments, live reindeer, costumed characters and a winter fireworks display over the Milwaukee River. Catalano Square, 138 N. Broadway. historicthirdward.org/experience/events/christmas-in-the-ward-plus-shop-the-ward/
Christmas on KK: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9. Tree lighting and opening ceremony with music by children’s choir, 5:15 p.m. in Zillman Park, 2180 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. christmasonkk.com/
Oak Creek: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Light the Square kickoff event with complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. Animated light show with synchronized lights and music begins at 6 p.m. Drexel Town Square, 8040 S. Sixth St., Oak Creek. visitoakcreek.com
The Corners of Brookfield: 3-5:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Holiday Town Tree Lighting celebration with carolers, live music, bites to eat, warm drinks, light displays, and a visit from Santa. 20111 W. Blue Mound Road, Brookfield. thecornersofbrookfield.com/event/Holiday-Town-Tree-Lighting/2145564627/
East Troy Lights: The East Troy Electric Railroad's Santa Parade Train will make its annual journey into downtown East Troy at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 to light the Memorial Christmas Tree and kick off the Holiday Light Show. Walk through or watch the show from your car. East Troy Village Square Park, Main Street, East Troy. easttroyllights.com
Elkhorn: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Caroling and tree lighting in Veterans Park, downtown Elkhorn. elkhornchamber.com/
Greenfield: 2-7 p.m. Dec. 3. Holiday tree lighting ceremony with caroling and Santa, 4:50-5:25 p.m. Candy cane hunt, wagon rides, food and beverages. Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave. ci.greenfield.wi.us/1353/Holiday-Tree-Lighting
Hales Corners Library: 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Village tree lighting ceremony with music by the Whitnall Middle School Band in the parking lot, Santa arrives by fire truck followed by storytime and refreshments in the Hunt Room. 5885 S. 116th St., Hales Corners. halescornerslibrary.org
Hartland Lights: 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Caroling and tree lighting in the Village Center, with shopping and holiday festivities until 9 p.m. Downtown Hartland.
New Berlin: 3-6 p.m. Dec. 3. Christmas music, ice skating, and write letters to Santa. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. at the City Center Plaza, 15040 Library Lane, New Berlin.
Pewaukee: 2-5 p.m. Dec. 3. Family activities begin at 2 p.m. with a visit from Santa, crafts for kids and singing of carols, followed by Christmas tree lighting. Please bring a nonperishable food item for the Pewaukee Food Pantry. Clark House Museum, 206 E. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee.
Shorewood Winterfest: 3:30-7 p.m. Dec. 3. Tree and Menorah lighting at Wood Square at 5 p.m. Write letters to Santa, hot chocolate and treats. 4075 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood. shorewoodwi.com/events/shorewoodwinterfest/
Sussex Civic Center: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2. Tree lighting live musical performances by local children, countdown and lighting of the tree, hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit from Santa. Please bring a nonperishable food item for the Sussex Food Pantry. N64 W23760 Main St., Sussex. villagesussex.org
Thiensville: 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Tree lighting with hot chocolate and music by Homestead High School Choir. Walgreens Parking lot, 278 N. Main St., Thiensville.
Tosa Village: 5:15-8 p.m. Dec. 9. Tree lighting in Root Common Park, following the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train stop. 7603 W. State St., Wauwatosa.
Waukesha Night of Lights: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Tree lighting with hot chocolate and music outside the Rotunda at 235 W. Broadway. Caroling and lantern stroll at 6 p.m. from the Rotunda to the river, followed by Walk of Lights Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Downtown Waukesha. waukesha-wi.gov/residents/night-of-lights.php
West Allis Centennial Plaza: 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Christmas tree lighting at City Hall, 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. westalliswi.gov
Parades, concerts and more
The Bavarian Bierhaus: Krampustag, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 4. Traditional European Christmas Celebration with costumed characters, live music and traditional dancing, photos with St. Nicholas, and free bier until the Packers score. Old Heidelberg Park Festhall, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train: First stop in Wisconsin is Dec. 8 at the Sturtevant Amtrak Depot. For a full schedule with additional locations visit cpr.ca/en/holiday-train/united-states.
Cathedral Square Park: Cocoa with the Clauses, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10. Santa and Mrs. Claus return for annual outdoor event for kids to share their wish lists, and for moms and dads to take a keepsake photo. Bring your own camera. Free cookies and hot cocoa. 520 E. Wells St.
Christmas in Wales: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10. Santa arrives by fire truck, kids crafts, live music, carolers and nativity scene. Cookies, cider, and coffee shop treats. Downtown Wales. christmasinwales.org
Cudahy Family Library: Holiday Movie and Crafts for Adults, 1 p.m. Dec. 14. 3500 Library Drive, Cudahy.
Elkhorn Christmas Card Town Parade: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Downtown Elkhorn. elkhornchamber.com/
Good Hope Library: “Gather the Family” concert by David HB Drake, 6 p.m. Dec. 5. 7715 W. Good Hope Road.
Hales Corners Library: Holiday DIY Jubilee, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 10. Drop in for holiday movies, make free DIY gifts, drink warm apple cider, and craft stations for the kids. Hunt Room. 5885 S. 116th St., Hales Corners.
Hartland Community Band: Christmas concert, 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Holy Hill Upper Church, 1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus.
Kettle Moraine Symphony: A Christmas Celebration featuring Silverbrook Children’s Choir, 2 p.m. Dec. 3. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Washington County, 400 S. University Drive, West Bend.
Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade: 5 p.m. Dec. 3. Parade steps off at Williams and Marshall streets, proceeding south on Williams and onto Broad Street, south on Broad Street to Main Street, and west to Cook Street, Lake Geneva.
Menomonee Falls Christmas Village: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9-11, 16-18. Free outdoor, German themed Christmas festival including a live nativity, carriage rides, children events, local vendor’s food trucks, crafts, and other activities. Falls Baptist Church, N69 W12703 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls.
Milwaukee County Historical Society: Very Merry Milwaukee, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 11. See Billie the Brownie and our holiday exhibit, take your picture with Santa, make an ornament, and write a letter to Rudolf and his friends. Cookies, brownies, and hot chocolate will be for sale in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen. 910 N. King Drive.
Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church: Live Outdoor Nativity, 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. Dec. 2; 4:45, 5:30, and 6:15 p.m. Dec. 3. 1941 Madison St., Waukesha.
New Berlin Community Band: Christmas concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Eisenhower High School, N4333 S. Sunny Slope Road, New Berlin.
Oak Creek Community United Methodist Church: Christmas concert by Westward Road, 4 p.m. Dec. 3. 8675 S. 13th St., Oak Creek. (414) 762-4600.
Oconomowoc Kiwanis Parade: A Candyland Christmas, 5 p.m. Dec. 3. Parade route starts at Pleasant and Walnut streets, turns west at the roundabout, continues downtown, and turns north on N Lake Road ending at Lisbon Road.
The Rotunda at Bayshore: Live performances from local musicians, schools and community groups, Dec. 1, 3, 11, 15, 18, 22 and 23. 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale.
Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade: Watch Santa and Mrs. Claus ride atop a fire truck with departures at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 11 from the parking lot of the Milwaukee Public Market. The cavalcade travels east on Wisconsin Avenue to the lakefront, with visits to Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park, Zeidler Union Square, and Light the Hoan from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. milwaukeeholidaylights.com
St. Matthew’s School: Live Nativity, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Farm animals and Christmas carols. 1650 Brown St., Oconomowoc.
Suburban Concert Band: Deck the Halls Christmas concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Nathan Hale High School Auditorium, 11601 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis.
Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin: Lucia Celebration, 4 p.m. Dec. 4. Candlelight procession, traditional Swedish songs, dancing around the Christmas tree, refreshments and a visit with Santa. Whitnall Park Lutheran Church, 5847 Lilac Lane, Hales Corners. sahswi.org
Urban Ecology Center-Menomonee Valley: Posada, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 15. Latin American holiday tradition with treats, warm ponche (punch), and join in breaking a piñata. 3700 W. Pierce St.
Urban Ecology Center-Washington Park: Christmas Memories, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 17. Visit with Santa and enjoy music, pictures, stories, cookies, and hot cocoa. 1859 N. 40th St.
Walworth County Fairgrounds: Let It Glow holiday light show, 6:15-9 p.m. Dec. 2; 5-8 p.m. Dec. 3-4. Drive-thru festival showcasing community groups and businesses. 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn.
West Allis Christmas Parade: 4:45 p.m. Dec. 3. See marching bands and live performers, floats and vintage vehicles, meet elves, cartoon characters and Santa Claus. Parade starts at 81st Street and Greenfield Avenue, moves east on Greenfield Avenue to 70th Street, then south to Orchard Avenue. westalliswi.gov
The Yard at Bayshore: Snowflick outdoor movie event, 6 p.m. Dec. 8. 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale.
Zablocki Library: David HB Drake presents “Let there be Light” concert, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19. 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.
If you have a free holiday event to add to this list, please email us at jsfeat@journalsentinel.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2022 Christmas tree lightings, free holiday events guide in Milwaukee
