Santa Claus is making his rounds in Milwaukee, bringing holiday cheer to kids and families across Southeastern Wisconsin!
We’ve got the inside scoop on the best spots to meet Santa this season, whether you’re looking for a cozy fireside chat or a photo op with the big man in red.
Keep reading for a list of the top places where you can find Santa near Milwaukee this year.
Free Santa Experiences
Looking to meet Santa in Milwaukee without spending a dime? You’re in luck! This season, Santa is making appearances at several spots around the city, offering free holiday fun for families. From festive photo ops to magical moments with Santa himself, here’s where you can find the best free Santa experiences in Milwaukee.
Cocoa with the Clauses (Free!)
Saturday, December 14th, 2024 | 11am to 2pm Cathedral Square Park
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a festive afternoon at Cathedral Square Park for Cocoa With The Clauses!
Bring the kids to share their holiday wishes, snap a free photo with Santa, and enjoy holiday fun with elves and other seasonal characters.
Treats are on the house—complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, courtesy of Taste of Home and Dunkin’.
Santa’s Christmas Calvalcade (Free!)
Sat, December 7, 2023 | Departs at 5:15pm from Milwaukee Public Market
Fri, December 13, 2023 | Departs at 5:15pm from Milwaukee Public Market
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Catch Santa and Mrs. Claus on a one-of-a-kind holiday ride through downtown Milwaukee! Santa will ride atop a vintage fire truck, joined by local singer-songwriter Sarah Fierek performing holiday tunes.
Departing from the Milwaukee Public Market at 5:15 p.m., the cavalcade will make stops at Pere Marquette Park, Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square, Catalano Square, and Light the Hoan.
Plus, check out our guide to the best Christmas Parades around Milwaukee, featuring floats, marching bands, and maybe even a glimpse of Santa himself.
Cabela’s
1 Cabela Way, Richfield, WI 53076
Experience the magic of the holiday season with Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s! Through December 24, enjoy free activities, giveaways, and a festive photo opportunity with Santa himself. Secure your free 4×6 photo and a shareable video with Santa by reserving your spot up to seven days in advance. Simply choose your location, select your time, and show your confirmation at check-in.
Santa’s Workshop in Cedarburg
Each year, a charming 15×15-foot gingerbread house graces Cedarburg’s Washington Avenue for the entire Christmas season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by Santa’s Workshop on select days. Kids are encouraged to drop off letters to Santa.
Ruckus & Glee
Friday, November 29, 1-5pm
805 N. 68th Street, Wauwatosa
Bring the family to Ruckus & Glee the day after Thanksgiving for a free visit with Santa. Santa will be there for four hours, ready to hear Christmas wish lists and take photos—no charge for pictures.
Don’t Miss: Santa’s Mailboxes in Milwaukee
Send a letter straight to the North Pole! Discover all 10 Santa’s Mailbox locations around Milwaukee and make this holiday season unforgettable!
Breakfast & Brunch With Santa
Breakfast with Santa at the Pfister
Celebrate the season with The Pfister Hotel’s beloved Breakfast with Santa on December 7, 8, 14, and 15! Families can enjoy a festive breakfast buffet in the Grand Ballroom, featuring made-to-order pancakes and holiday favorites.
Kids will love taking photos with Santa, receiving a special gift, and making holiday crafts. Choose from two seatings: 8:30–10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–12:30 PM. Reservations are required with pre-payment, and cancellations are refundable up to 72 hours before the event.
Breakfast with Santa at Saint Kate
Create lasting holiday memories with Brunch with Santa at Saint Kate’s Simone Ballroom on December 7, 8, 14, and 15! Enjoy a festive brunch featuring chef-made waffles, traditional buffet favorites, and the chance to meet Santa. Kids can take photos, make holiday crafts, and receive a special gift from Santa himself. Seating times are from 9:00–10:30 AM and 11:30 AM–1:00 PM.
Tickets:
- Adults: $72
- Children (Ages 3-10): $35
- Children 2 & under: Free
Reservations are required, with pre-payment and are refundable up to 72 hours in advance. To reserve, call 877.704.5340 or 414.935.5950, or book online.
Brunch With Santa at Little Sprouts Play Café
Shorewood: 4606 N. Wilson Dr., Shorewood, WI 53211
TBD for 2024!
Natty Oaks Santa Chalet
11505 W. National Ave., West Allis, WI 53227
From December 2 to December 22, 2024, experience a magical holiday season at Natty Oaks! Families can book a cozy Santa Chalet for up to six people to enjoy time with Santa and explore 12,000 square feet of dazzling Christmas lights.
Santa makes surprise visits as he strolls through the lights, with time to chat with both kids and grown-ups! Natty Oaks will also offer “Dine in a Dome” and “Breakfast with Santa” experiences.
MOTOR Bar & Restaurant
Harley-Davidson Museum, 401 W. Canal St., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Join MOTOR™ Restaurant for Breakfast with Santa on Sundays, December 1, 8, or 15! Enjoy a festive brunch buffet in the Rumble area, along with letter writing to Santa, cookie decorating, holiday movies, and photos with Santa himself. Each breakfast includes free admission for kids to the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum.
Reservations are required through OpenTable.
Breakfast with Santa at Mallards Bayshore (December 14th, 2024)
Bring the whole family to Mallards Bayshore (5689 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale, WI 53217) for a festive breakfast with Santa! From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and get a chance to meet Santa himself. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure your spot—call (414) 509-5555 to book.
Unique Santa Experiences
Father Christmas at the Pabst Mansion
With his lantern, walking stick and red cloak with white trim, a whimsical Father Christmas travels south to visit the Pabst Mansion each Sunday during the holiday season.
Create magical memories with holiday treats, letters to Santa, and room after room of enchanting Christmas displays.
Santa at the Domes
Santa will be sharing classic holiday stories and visiting with kids afterward!
- Dates:
- Sat, Nov 30, 1-3PM
- Sun, Dec 1, 1-3PM
- Sat, Dec 7, 1-3PM
- Sun, Dec 15, 1-3PM
- Cost: Included with admission.
Sprecher Brewery
701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, WI 53209
Celebrate the season at Sprecher Brewery’s Soda with Santa! This beloved Milwaukee tradition invites families to tour the brewery and snap a memorable photo with Santa on select Sundays: November 17, 24, December 1, 8, and 15, with tour times at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are required in advance: $17 for adults and $11 for minors, which includes a commemorative glass, unlimited soda samples, and beer samples for guests 21+. Families can also create custom root beer labels featuring their Santa photo, with a 12-pack available for $2.25 per bottle.
For more information, visit Sprecher’s website or contact events@sprecherbrewery.com.
Very Merry Milwaukee (Milwaukee County Historical Society)
910 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Kick off the holiday season with family fun at Very Merry on Sunday, December 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at MCHS (910 N. Dr. MLK Jr. Drive). Enjoy photos with Santa, festive crafts, hot chocolate, and cookies from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen. Join us for a cozy, memorable holiday celebration!
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Hwy 67, Eagle, WI 53119
Experience nostalgic holiday traditions at Old World Wisconsin’s Home for the Holidays! Running through December, this event offers an immersive celebration of various seasonal customs from Victorian, Scandinavian, and German cultures.
Join in the festive fun at Old World Wisconsin on December 7-8 and 14-15, 2024, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Highlights Include:
- Santa’s Workshop: Meet a Victorian Santa in his workshop and drop off letters in Santa’s mail basket.
- Cultural Traditions: Celebrate a “Yankee Christmas Morning,” Hanukkah, Irish Christmas Eve, and St. Lucia Day, with activities reflecting the customs of each heritage.
- Interactive Fun: Enjoy Victorian crafts, letters to Santa, holiday wagon rides, and traditional stories told throughout the day.
- Krampus Cave: Encounter this German folklore character known for his festive yet mischievous spirit.
- Holiday Treats and Shopping: Sip wassail, indulge in Kringle, or browse unique holiday items at the Crossroads Christmas Shoppe.
Extras: Enhance your visit with Time Travel Tokens, allowing you to take home leather ornaments, handcrafted gifts, and more. Perfect for families looking to embrace old-world holiday magic, this celebration offers hands-on fun and unique memories for all ages.
North Point Lighthouse
2650 N. Wahl Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Santa is making a stop at the North Point Lighthouse Museum in Lake Park, and you can have your picture taken with him in his maritime workshop. Regular admission rates apply.
Santa at the Mall: Photos & Visits
Southridge Mall
5300 S. 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129
Capture special holiday memories with Santa at Southridge Mall from November 22 to December 24. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can reserve your spot online for convenience. Santa will be located on the lower level at Center Court.
Special Events:
- Santa’s Arrival: Sat, 11/23, 11:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Kids’ Holiday Sing-Along: Sat, 12/7, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Sensory-Friendly Santa: Sun, 12/8, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Pet Photo Night: Mon, 12/9, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Black Santa Experience: Fri, 12/13 & Sat, 12/14, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Sun, 12/15, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Photos are provided by Hagood Photography with packages ranging from $25.99 to $59.99. For questions, contact customer service at (888) 399-1959 or help@snaptasticphotos.com.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the B&B Choo Choo! Train! While you’re visiting Santa at Center Court, hop on the festive train located on the lower level. Get your tickets from the conductor—tickets are flexible and never expire, so you can ride whenever the train is at the station.
Mayfair Mall
Meet Santa at Mayfair Mall on Level 1 near Nordstrom from Nov. 14 through Dec. 24. Create holiday memories with a photo and let Santa know what’s on your wish list. Reservations are recommended
Brookfield Square Mall
95 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005
Step into Santa’s Workshop at Brookfield Square for a magical holiday experience! Kids can fill out a “Dear Santa” letter, take a festive photo with Santa, and drop off their letters in Santa’s mailbox. Santa arrives on Thursday, November 14. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
There’s more!
- Holiday Light Displays
- Magical Holiday Experiences
- Local Toy Stores
- Sleigh Rides
- Christmas Tree Lightings
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.
