Milwaukee families will be feeling vibrant and festive at this weekend’s events! Here are our top picks:
1. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Old World Third St., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:30 p.m. (pre-show entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m.)
Admission: FREE
Downtown Milwaukee will light up with festive cheer as the 26th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival kicks off in grand style.
The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m., with pre-show entertainment by Kid Boogie Down to get the crowd moving. The main show starts at 6:30 p.m. at Pere Marquette Park, featuring live performances by DJ Shawna, Erin Fricker, First Stage, the Dance Academy of Mexico, Jenny Thiel, the Marquette University Gospel Choir, Studio K Flamenco, and Ben Mulwana.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance, and the show will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display just before 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy complimentary cocoa and cookies, and free Jingle Bus rides after the fireworks!
Can’t make it downtown? Catch the live broadcast on WISN 12 at 6:30 p.m.
2. Snow Globe Holiday Festival (OPENING WEEKEND!)
Ballpark Commons, 7044 S. Ballpark Dr., Franklin, WI 53132
November 22, 2024-December 30, 2025
Admission: $29.99 (Parking: $10-$20)
The Snow Globe Holiday Festival will take over Ballpark Commons this weekend, inviting guests of all ages to immerse themselves in a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, enchanting experiences, and seasonal treats.
Here you’ll find a snow globe-inspired light maze, an ice skating trail, a build-a-buddy workshop, and more!
3. Trainfest 2024
Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
November 23-24, 2024, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $14.95-$20; Children $4.95-$10
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of miniature railroading! Trainfest is designed for children of all ages; for modelers, collectors and enthusiasts; for families in search of good old-fashioned fun; and for the simply curious.
The show features hundreds of booths of train manufacturers and retailers, as well as huge operating exhibits, activities for kids, free seminars and educational opportunities, and much more. There will even be a FREE Thomas the Tank Engine train ride for kids!
4. Holiday Folk Fair International
Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214
November 22-24, 2024
Admission: General $13 in advance, $16 at the gate; Children Under 8 / Military FREE (Parking: $10)
America’s premier multicultural festival and a program of the International Institute of Wisconsin, Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. You can explore the ways music, food, dance, and art weave together a message of welcome.
Don’t miss the Children’s Area, where kids can explore their heritage through different activities. Plus, a children’s showcase will take place in the All Nations Theater on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Watch littles perform dances from their ethnic backgrounds!
This year’s theme is “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Art,” which embodies painting, pottery, sculpture, textiles, metalwork, and many other media. These activities, practiced by groups of people within the world’s cultures, will never go out of style, as they promote diversity and inclusion.
5. Fox & Branch Free Family Concert
Anodyne Coffee (Walker’s Point), 224 W. Bruce St., Milwaukee, WI 53204
Sunday, November 24, 2024, 11 a.m.
Admission: FREE
A Fox and Branch family show is all about audience participation. The kids get to sing, clap, dance and play rhythm instruments. Adults get to enjoy the music, clap and sing along.
Some of the music will be familiar to many families, but there may also be new material (drawn from American roots sources and world traditions) to surprise and amuse children and adults alike.
6. The Domes Holiday Parade (OPENING WEEKEND!)
Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215
November 23-January 5, 2025
Admission: Milwaukee County Residents: Adults $8; Juniors (3-12) / Seniors / Students / Military $6; Children 2 & Under FREE. Non-Residents: Adults / Seniors $9; Juniors (3-12) / Students / Military $6; Children 2 & Under FREE.
The Mitchell Park Domes are kicking off the season with a stunning new holiday floral show: “The Domes Holiday Parade.” This vibrant and festive exhibit honors a variety of winter holiday traditions, including Advent, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Visitors will encounter stationary “floats” artfully designed to reflect each holiday, set amidst an array of lush poinsettias in vibrant colors. Featured poinsettia varieties include the timeless “Red Ribbon,” the elegant “Polar Bear,” and the festive “Candy Wintergreen.”
Ready for More Family Fun?
Milwaukee is packed with even more exciting activities and hidden gems for you to explore with your family this season. Whether you’re looking for spontaneous outings or planning ahead, we’ve got you covered!
📅 Explore Our Events Calendar
From seasonal celebrations to ongoing attractions, our Events Calendar is your go-to guide for family-friendly happenings in and around Milwaukee. Discover new experiences every day, tailored just for you.
🍂 Find Your Fall Adventure
Check out our Fall Fun Map to uncover the best places for apple picking, pumpkin patches, Halloween happenings, and scenic hikes. It’s the perfect tool to help you make the most of autumn’s beauty.
🎡 Don’t Miss Our Top Picks!
Looking for more must-visit spots? Dive into our guides on:
- Milwaukee’s Best Playgrounds – Discover the most fun and unique play areas for kids of all ages.
- Kid-Friendly Restaurants – Enjoy a meal where the whole family is welcome.
- Indoor Playgrounds – Perfect for those rainy or chilly days.
- Top Museums for Kids – Unleash your child’s curiosity with engaging exhibits.
- Free & Affordable Activities – Have a blast without breaking the bank.
📬 Join Our Community!
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
