Mesmerizing Holiday Light Displays
Milwaukee knows how to deck the halls during the holiday season! All around the city, you’ll find amazing light displays, elaborate decorations, and Christmas trees aglow. Here are some of the best places to see the holiday lights:
Christmas in The Historic Third Ward Neighborhood
Christmas in the Historic Third Ward offers an old-world holiday charm. The streets are lined with Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Spending Christmas in the Historic Third Ward feels like stepping back in time to a holiday scene from a classic movie. Picture this: rows of Christmas trees decked out with ornaments, twinkling lights, and decorations that hang from every corner, turning the streets into a festive gallery. There’s an outdoor ice rink where you can glide and twirl or maybe just shuffle along if you’re new to ice skating. Shops around you feel like a European Christmas market, offering unique gifts and warm treats. And for a touch of magic, you can snuggle up on a horse-drawn carriage ride that clops along the snow-dusted streets. Make sure you’re there when the celebration begins with the tree-lighting ceremony—it’s a moment when everyone gathers around and the holiday spirit really lights up. You can go ice skating at the outdoor Ice Rink, shop at the European-style Christmas market, and enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides. Don’t miss the tree-lighting ceremony on the first night!
Address: 525 E. CHICAGO ST. | MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 273-1173
Zoolights at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Imagine a place where the night shines as bright as day, with over a million lights sparkling in every direction. That’s what you get at the zoo during the holiday season. It’s like stepping into a storybook where the animals are made of lights, and every path leads to something wondrous. Kids and grown-ups alike will love the special shows that bring the spirit of the holidays to life. It’s a perfect way to spend time with the family and make memories that will last long after the lights dim. The zoo transforms into a magical winter wonderland with more than 1.5 million twinkling lights. Walk through illuminated animal displays and enjoy special holiday shows. The perfect family-friendly outing!
Address: 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: (414) 771-3040
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Every year, there’s a festival in town that turns the streets into a sea of lights. Picture more than half a million lights twinkling along the main avenues and by the water’s edge. And the best part? The Jingle Bus! This isn’t just any bus—it’s your ticket to a front-row seat for all the shimmering scenes at the city’s famous spots. It’s a ride that’s sure to fill you with holiday cheer as you take in the sights without having to take a single step. This annual festival includes hundreds of displays with more than 500,000 lights along Wisconsin Avenue and the lakefront. Don’t miss the Jingle Bus! You can hop on this festive bus to see all the dazzling light displays at major landmarks.
Address: Downtown Milwaukee, WI
Phone: (414) 273-1173
Festive Holiday Events You Can’t Miss
Milwaukee’s winter festivities are a wonderland of joy, perfect for families, friends, and solo explorers alike. Let’s start with a holiday favorite:
The Nutcracker Ballet
Get ready to be whisked away into a snowy dreamland with the Milwaukee Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. It’s a show that turns the Marcus Performing Arts Center into a world of enchantment. Watch as the stage comes alive with dancers who move with grace and power, telling a story that has warmed hearts for generations.
Holiday Pops Concert
Then, there’s the sound of the season with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert. It’s more than just music; it’s a gathering where holiday spirits soar. Sit back in the beautiful venue and let the melodies of well-loved carols and joyful tunes fill the air, creating memories that will linger long after the last note fades.
Classic Milwaukee Holiday Traditions
Milwaukee’s holiday spirit shines bright with traditions that bring everyone together:
Holiday Folk Fair International
Dive into the heart of Milwaukee’s community at the Holiday Folk Fair International. It’s a colorful festival where you can walk through and savor the rich tapestry of the city’s diverse cultures. Taste the unique flavors of different cuisines, marvel at handmade crafts, and learn about the customs that neighbors from around the world celebrate right here in Milwaukee.
Celebrate St. Nick’s Day
St. Nicholas Day may be observed across the globe, but Milwaukee does it best (in our humble opinion). Even though St. Nick’s Day is not a formally recognized U.S. holiday, it has a stronghold in cities with strong German roots. Milwaukeeans take Dec. 6 to heart, filling children’s stockings with small treats like fruit, candy or small toys to keep the tradition alive. For many, it’s the kickstarter to the holiday season.
See A Christmas Carol
Milwaukee Rep’s A Christmas Carol has become an annual must-see for many Milwaukeeans. The classic tale, which has been running in Milwaukee for over four decades, truly touches on what Christmas is all about. Every year is filled with something old and something new so first-timers and old-timers alike can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Christmas in the Ward
Then, step into a holiday postcard with Christmas in the Ward. The Historic Third Ward transforms into a winter fairy tale, complete with twinkling lights and the jingle of horse-drawn carriages. It’s a place where you can meet live reindeer and watch faces light up at the sight of the grand tree lighting. This event wraps you in the warmth of festive cheer and the charm of old-time holiday celebrations.
Take a Trip Down Candy Cane Lane
This West Allis neighborhood lines street after street (or should we say lane after lane) with brightly-lit candy canes and trees wrapped to match. The accompanying houses also shine with lights and décor. But this tradition is more than pretty lights: Each year the neighborhood raises money for Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer and has donated $2 million and counting thus far.
Booking Group Transportation
When it’s time to check out Milwaukee’s holiday events, it’s all about being with family and friends. To keep your group close and make sure everyone has a smooth time, just give Charter Bus Company Milwaukee a ring at (414)-214-0265. We’re here to sort out your travel plans, making sure you get to enjoy all the holiday fun without any stress. Our buses are cozy and perfect for everyone to ride together, laugh, and sing carols on the way to the festivities. Let us help you make those holiday outings extra special and full of cheer!