Milwaukee is truly lit this holiday season!
From downtown to local neighborhoods, Milwaukee Christmas tree lightings in 2024 are happening all over the city to dazzle you and your family.
We’ve compiled a list of the best tree lighting events, organized by month, to make it easy for busy parents to plan and enjoy these festive celebrations.
Looking for even more holiday magic? Be sure to check out our Milwaukee Christmas Parades Guide, Christmas Markets Round-Up, and Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun for even more ways to make the season memorable with your family.
Our Top Picks
1. 111th Annual City Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 5:00 PM
Location: Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
More Info: Visit City of Milwaukee Events
Celebrate the holiday season at the 111th Annual City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year, the Deer District will transform into the festive “Cheer District,” featuring a stunning 64-foot Colorado Blue Spruce with gingerbread and candy cane-inspired decorations.
Donated by the Yeager family of Washington Heights, the tree’s design comes from local expert David Caruso. The event also includes sustainability efforts like Black Husky Brewing’s holiday beer made from tree boughs to benefit the Urban Forestry Fund.
2. Season to Sparkle at Bayshore
Friday, November 22nd, 2024 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
Bayshore’s annual Season to Sparkle Celebration will transform The Yard into a holiday wonderland. Families can enjoy Kid Boogie Down, Santa visits, reindeer games, fairytale princesses, and new sparkling decor, including a giant illuminated ornament and 32-foot holiday tree.
Location: The Yard at Bayshore
More Info: Season to Sparkle at Bayshore
3. Annual Pfister Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 29th, 2024
This iconic tradition at the Pfister Hotel returns, featuring a grand tree-lighting in the hotel lobby. Enjoy warm drinks, a holiday treat, and the company of Santa, plus the opportunity to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Hunger Task Force.
4. Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting (Free!)
Friday, November 29th, 2024
The seasonal celebration features a parade with music, Dancing Grannies, racing sausages, Alaskan Malamutes, scout troops, media, and Santa in his sleigh pulled by Cupid and Vixen. It’s an evening not to miss! The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of Kent Avenue and Silver Spring Drive, heading east on Silver Spring Drive ending at Lake Drive in front of Sendik’s. The parade lasts about 45 minutes.
5. Holiday Town Tree Lighting at the Corners of Brookfield
Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Alex Corradetti from CBS 58 will emcee the joyous celebration for the second year! The Center will have fun activities, including carolers, live music with Ocean Rush, treats, hot cocoa, light displays, a visit from Santa, Holiday Crafts, and more.
6. Menomonee Falls Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 30th
Celebrate Small Business Saturday and enjoy Menomonee Falls’ holiday tree lighting! The day includes wagon rides, family-friendly entertainment, and a visit from Santa. The Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade, will be held on Sunday, December 1 at 4:30 pm.
Time: Tree lighting at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial Plaza, N88 W16688 Main St., Menomonee Falls
More Info: Christmas in the Falls
7. Cedarburg Christmas Tree Lighting
Monday, December 2nd
Cedarburg’s tree lighting features a Christmas concert, carols, and holiday treats.
Time: Event begins at 5:30 p.m.; tree lighting at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cedarburg Community Gym, W63 N641 Washington Ave., Cedarburg
More Info: Cedarburg Events
8. Wauwatosa Village Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 4th
Wauwatosa’s tree lighting is paired with the grand opening of the Wauwatosa Holiday Market.
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Pocket Park, Harwood and Wauwatosa Avenues, Wauwatosa
More Info: Tosa Village Events
9. Christmas in the Ward
Friday, December 6th, 2024
Each Christmas season, you’ll find a magical tree lighting in Catalano Square with live music, reindeer, costumed characters, a fireworks show over the Milwaukee River, and more. The event is free!
Location: Catalano Square in the Historic Third Ward
More Info: Christmas in the Ward
10. Annual West Allis Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7th, 2024 from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
The West Allis Christmas Tree lighting and parade is an annual holiday tradition and the premier night-time Christmas parade in southeastern Wisconsin! Enjoy marching bands and live performers, creative floats and vintage vehicles, meet elves and cartoon characters, and of course, wave to Santa Claus himself at the end of the parade.
More Christmas Tree Lightings Around Milwaukee in 2024
West Bend Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, November 7th, 2024
Kick off the holiday season in West Bend with a festive evening featuring Santa, free hot chocolate and apple cider, music from the River City Christmas Brass Band, and holiday carols. The lighting will be followed by a free showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Bend Theater.
Time: River City Christmas Brass Band starts at 5:30 p.m.; tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Old Settlers Park, 120 N. Main St., West Bend
More Info: Visit West Bend
Germantown Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 16th, 2024
Celebrate the start of the holiday season with Germantown’s Christmas Festival, which includes a parade, festivities in the park, a candy land adventure, and live music. Santa will make an appearance, and the tree lighting caps off the day!
Time: Parade starts at 1:30 p.m.; tree lighting around 4:30 p.m.
Location: Firemen’s Park, W162 N11870 Park Ave., Germantown
More Info: Germantown Events
Grafton Holiday Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 24th, 2024
Join the Village of Grafton as they light their holiday tree, with treats and cocoa for all.
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: 1505 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton
More Info: Grafton Events
Cudahy Holiday Tree Lighting
Monday, December 2nd
The Cudahy tree lighting at Clara Street Park includes Santa visits, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, and live music.
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. (tree lighting at dusk)
Location: Clara Street Park, 4835 Clara St., Cudahy
More Info: City of Cudahy
New Berlin Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 5th
New Berlin’s tree lighting includes Santa story time, holiday music, and hot cocoa for all.
Time: 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:00 p.m.)
Location: Activity & Recreation Center, 15321 W. National Ave., New Berlin
More Info: City of New Berlin
Hartland Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Hartland’s holiday event includes a drone show, caroling, and photos with Santa by the tree.
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.)
Location: Village Center, 210 Cottonwood Ave., Hartland
More Info: Downtown Hartland
Lannon Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Lannon’s cozy event includes caroling, selfies with Santa, and treats from local businesses.
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lannon Village Hall, 20399 W. Main St., Lisbon
More Info: Village of Lannon
Oak Creek Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Drexel Town Square lights up with hot cocoa, cookies, kids’ games, and Santa!
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (tree lighting at 6:00 p.m.)
Location: Civic Center, 8040 S. 6th St., Oak Creek
More Info: Oak Creek Events
Pewaukee Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Pewaukee’s tree lighting includes holiday music, a sing-along, cookies, and Santa visits.
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:00 p.m.)
Location: Clark House Museum, 206 E. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee
More Info: Pewaukee Events
Sussex Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Sussex’s tree lighting includes live music from local schoolchildren, cookies, hot cocoa, and a Santa visit. Donations for Sussex Outreach Services are welcome.
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Civic Center, N64 W2370 Main St., Sussex
More Info: Village of Sussex
Waukesha Night of Lights & Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Celebrate Waukesha’s Night of Lights with hot chocolate, music, Santa, and a lantern stroll after the tree lighting.
Time: Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.; lantern ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m.
Holiday Tree Lighting in Greenfield
Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Brighten up your holidays by celebrating with neighbors and friends at the Annual Greenfield Holiday Tree Lighting! This is a FREE event to kick-off the holiday season.
- Festive Music
- Kids Winter Games
- Entertainment
- Photos with Santa & Friends
- Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride
- Konkel Park & Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Free Hot Chocolate (while supplies last)
South Milwaukee Christmas in the Commons
Saturday, December 7th
South Milwaukee’s event features holiday activities, Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus food and beverages at Bucyrus Commons.
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:00 p.m.)
Location: Bucyrus Commons, 1028 Madison Ave., South Milwaukee
More Info: City of South Milwaukee
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids”, a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids.
She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s ‘Real Milwaukee’, B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
