Best Things to Do in Milwaukee for Christmas

Christmas is a magical time in the Cream City. Milwaukeeans are lucky to have so many festive cold-weather activities to celebrate the season, along with cozy indoor options for those avoiding the chill. If you are looking for the absolute best things to do in Milwaukee for Christmas, look no further. We’ve curated a list of our favorite Christmas things in Milwaukee to help you make the most of the most wonderful time of the year.

BMO Harris Bank Window Display

A must-do Christmas activity in Milwaukee, this annual holiday display, features150 Steiff stuffed animals in the BMO Harris window displays in downtown Milwaukee. This free exhibit in 2018 celebrates is 46th annual event with a “Seussified” display that brings 16 Dr. Seuss books to life.

A guest on a private Christmas Lights & Desserts tour enjoying time to explore the annual BMO Harris Holiday Display

Christmas at the Mansions

The Pabst Mansion is ornately decorated year-round, but it takes the holidays to another level. Exploring the mansion is one of the most sophisticated things to do in Milwaukee for Christmas, as each room is adorned for the season with a collection of more than 20 Christmas trees. Nearby, stop in the Schuster Mansion to schedule High Tea and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions. Or travel north approximately one hour to Oshkosh to see the beautifully decorated Nutcracker in the Castle display at Paine Art Center and Gardens.

Cookies, Treats, and Milwaukee Holiday Flavors

Head to the Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward to vote for your Gingerbread House display made by local culinary students. If you can’t resist stealing a nibble, instead pick up a copy of the WE Energies cookie book. A tradition 80 years in the making, you can pick a new favorite treat to bake this season.

If you want to experience the best Christmas activities in Milwaukee without the kitchen mess, join us at Milwaukee Food & City Tours!

• Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus Tour – Travel the world without leaving the city. Sample delicious cookies from Milwaukee’s best ethnic bakeries.

Attendees on the Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus visit 5 – 7 bakeries during a 3 hour tour of Milwaukee’s ethnic bakeries.

Take in a Christmas concert or show

Head to the spectacular Basilica of St. Josaphat to listen to a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Other iconic things to do in Milwaukee for Christmas include:

• The Holiday Pops concerts by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
• The Nutcracker by the Milwaukee Ballet
• A Christmas Carol by The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
• Black Nativity at Marcus Performing Arts Center

Play Reindeer Games at the Milwaukee County Zoo

Have you ever been nose-to-nose with a reindeer? The Reindeer Adventures class at the Milwaukee County Zoo is one of the most unique Christmas things in Milwaukee. Explore the tundra as your child or grandchild learns about antlers that shed and hooves that click. During class you’ll join the herd and migrate to the Zoo’s reindeer barn to meet these animals up close. And get ready to run into a jolly ‘ole man while on your walk. He and his wife might just have a Naughty & Nice list on hand to show your littles that is guaranteed to delight!

While at the Zoo, be sure to check out the Fantastic Forest where animal-themed ornaments decorate more than five dozen evergreen trees.

Reindeer Adventure participant at the Milwaukee County Zoo getting his oh so bright nose on ready for the walk to the caribou enclosure.

Shop ‘til you drop

If your favorite Christmas activities in Milwaukee involve finding the perfect gift, then we recommend shopping in one of many greater Milwaukee neighborhoods including Cedarburg, Greendale and the Historic Third Ward. Or tip your hat to our German traditions by shopping at one of Milwaukee’s traditional European-style outdoor markets such as:

• The German Christmas Market in Oconomowoc
• The West Allis Christkindl Market

Spread Christmas Cheer

But if the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, then the Christmas Lights & Desserts tour offered by Milwaukee Food & City Tours is for you. Not only does it highlight the Christmas happenings as well as great desserts all over Milwaukee but it also includes caroling on the bus from stop to stop. This Santa approved tour is the perfect mix of history, Milwaukee Christmas traditions, tasty treats and a dash of light-hearted holiday spirit. Whether you feel like showing off your ugly Christmas sweater or not you are sure to have a good time on this tour.

Guests on the Christmas Lights & Desserts tour offered by Milwaukee Food & City Tours enjoying the twinkling lights in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square

Let There Be Light!

Viewing the displays is one of the quintessential things to do in Milwaukee for Christmas. Here are the top spots to see the city glow:

• Country Christmas at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee, WI
• Candy Cane Lane in West Allis (Donations benefit the MACC Fund-Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer)
• Jingle Bus in downtown Milwaukee
• JellyStone Park Camp Resort in Caledonia, WI
• “Holiday Lites” display at Miller Valley
• Enchantment in the Park in West Bend, WI

The season officially kicks off with the City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting and the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza. No matter which neighborhood you visit, you’ll find unique parades, Santa sightings, and enough Christmas things in Milwaukee to keep your spirit bright all season long!