2010 Holiday Fun Guide
The holidays: the only time of the year when gluttony is obligatory and when it’s okay to tolerate your family by over-drinking. When every year, after every holiday meal, we start the slow migration to the couch and take up permanent residence. In short, the holidays are about relaxation, indulgence, lights and sparkly stuff.
So bust out your ugliest sweater, your painfully grating holiday music and your sudden, unexpected love and goodwill toward others. Hell, Wisconsin winters are terrible enough — assuage your fears of the impending winter darkness with TCD’s guide to holiday fun in Milwaukee. Guaranteed to melt the heart of even the staunchest Brew City scrooge.
Holiday Lights
A Grand Avenue Christmas at the Pabst Mansion
The Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin
Nov. 19 – Jan. 9
The mansion and its nationally recognized Christmas display will be open to the public to peruse starting November 19th.
Friday Night Show: Constellations of the Zodiac
UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium, 1900 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Nov. 19 – Dec. 10
Learn about the constellations of the Zodiac, the winter sky and stick around for free stargazing after the lecture. The stargazing alone is worth it.
92nd Street to 96th Street between Oklahoma Avenue and Montana Avenue, West Allis
Nov. 25 – Jan. 3
Now in its 25th year, this neighborhood lights up the holidays and raises funds for the MACC Fund.
M & I Bank Lobby, 770 N. Water St.
Nov. 29 – Jan. 3
A Milwaukee holiday tradition for over 30 years, this display uses Steiff animals from FAO Schwartz to construct elaborate holiday scenes that are sure to delight.
East Town
Through January
East Town will be brimming with hand-decorated, festive wooden trees all over its sidewalks. Do some shopping, check out the trees or just enjoy the unexpected magic of downtown during the holidays.
Fantastic Forest of Holiday Trees
Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd.
Dec. 3 – Jan. 3
A forest of child-decorated trees opens in the US Bank Gathering Place on Friday, Dec. 3rd.
Family Fun
Plankinton Arcade at the Shops of Grand Avenue, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Nov. 19 – Jan. 2
Hop aboard the Columbia St. Mary’s Jingle Bus and get a 40-minute narrated tour of downtown landmarks and all the festive happenings in the city.
Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.
Nov. 20 – Jan. 2
Perfect for the kids, this holiday show takes place inside the Show Dome and features the story of a selfish giant and his icy heart. A beautiful setting that kids and parents alike will appreciate.
Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Rd., Pewaukee
Nov. 24 – Dec. 1
Celebrating their 15th year as Wisconsin’s largest and most spectacular drive-through holiday lights show, this event is not to be missed. Over one million holiday lights are decorated over 40 wooded acres.
Mayfair Mall, 2500 N. Mayfair
Nov. 26 – Dec. 21
The Angel Tree helps give gifts to those less fortunate during the holidays. Simply pick up a tag from the tree, buy a gift, and bring the wrapped present along with the tag to be placed under the tree.
Red Arrow Park, 1000 N. Water St.
Opens Nov./Dec. (weather permitting)
If ice-skating downtown doesn’t scream holiday cheer, we don’t know what does. The rink is free to use, and skates are available to rent. Join the fun or simply watch the action from the warming house while sipping on some hot cocoa.
IMAX Dome Theater at the Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells
Nov. 26 – Jan. 2
A larger-than-life show in a larger-than-life theater. Literally.
Jolly’s Gingerbread House with Santa
Catalano Square, corner of Broadway and Menomonee
Dec. 3 – 11
Get a cookie from Jolly the Gingerbread Man and tell Santa what you want for Christmas!
The Pfister, 424 E. Wisconsin
Dec. 11
The Pfister’s Holiday Singers sing your favorite carols in the hotel’s breathtaking lobby.
Movies in the Museum – A Miracle on 34th Street
Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect
Dec. 8
A classical holiday movie in a classically beautiful setting.
Holiday Open House at the Charles Allis Museum
Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect
Dec. 10
The museum opens its doors for its annual open house, featuring pianist Mark Davis, carriage rides around the neighborhood, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
European Village Holiday Traditions Come Alive!
Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells
Dec. 10, 11
Celebrate the season by learning about holiday traditions of a century past when the Museum’s European Village “comes to life.” Interact with costumed interpreters, check out some Ukranian folk dancing and discover your roots with help from the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society.
Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr.
Dec. 18, 19
Back by popular demand, Discovery World’s holiday train show is perfect for kids and those adults who still act like kids. See amazing model train displays and mingle with other railroad enthusiasts.
Posh holiday eats
Breakfast and Lunch with Santa at the Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd.
Dec. 4 – 19
Santa and his elves pay the zoo a visit six days this December to the delight of kiddies everywhere. Featured is Fred Turk singing Christmas carols.
Breakfast with Santa at the Pfister
The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Dec. 4 – 18
Held in the lavish Imperial Ballroom, kids will delight in the scheduled appearance by Santa and his elves and the adults will revel in the sublime setting and food.
Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners
Dec. 5
An annual tradition that includes crafts, storytime with Milwaukee children’s author Lois Ehlert and a visit with Santa. Admission to the event includes a brunch catered by Bartolotta, but be sure to call for reservations.
Dickens Dinners at the Pabst Mansion
The Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin
Dec. 10 – 19
Bartolotta Restaurants caters these amazing dinners held at the Pabst Mansion where the food will surely be as beautiful as the setting.
Breakfast with Santa at George Watts and Son
George Watts and Son, 761 N. Jefferson
Dec. 4 – 18
A delici0us brunch with a gift included for every child. Be sure to make reservations as this fills up quickly.
Milwaukee Ballet’s 8th Annual Nutcracker Tea
Woman’s Club of Wisconsin, 813 E. Kilbourn
Dec. 4
This highly anticipated holiday affair for children includes excerpts from The Nutcracker, a ballet lesson, Be-a-ballet Dancer makeover, tea sandwiches, sweets, photos with a ballerina and much more.
Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells
Dec. 12
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for cookies, cocoa and holiday lights. Special kid menus for nearby restaurants.
Christmas Celebration Brunch at the Pfister
The Pfister, 424 E. Wisconsin
Dec. 25
Held in the beautiful Imperial Ballroom, this Christmas brunch pulls out all the stops. It begins with a complimentary champagne toast followed by a delicious and decadent buffet. Christmas brunch without the dirty dishes.
A Mason Street Grill Christmas
Mason Street Grill, 435 E. Mason
Dec. 24
A specially prepared prix fixe menu at Mason Street Grill is a lavish way to spend Christmas Eve. If anything, indulge yourself – it’s the holidays, you’re allowed to treat yourself.
Getting into the holiday spirit
Bay View, along KK
Dec. 4, 5
The restaurants, taverns and stores of Bay View open their doors for seasonal savings and free hot cocoa and cookies. Bring the kids or leave them at home for a night on the town.
Catalano Square, corner of Broadway and Menomonee in the Historic Third Ward
Dec. 3, 4
An old-fashioned Christmas tree lighting in the heart of the Third Ward that strangely and awesomely features Santa and his reindeer lighting off fireworks.
Brady Street
Dec. 4, 5
It’s Festivus for the rest of us! Forget about the everyday stress of the holidays for one day and engage in all the silly, inane activities that comprise Festivus. For the holiday cynic in us all.
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center’s Home for the Holidays
Cafe Deco at the Ambassador Hotel, 2308 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Dec. 11
The Center’s annual celebration, Home for the Holidays is a little bit of fundraiser and a whole lot of party. Held at the beautiful Ambassador Hotel, it’s sure to be a classy affair.
Meet at Cafe Hollander, 2608 N. Downer
Dec. 11
As if you need an excuse for more holiday day-drinking, this pub crawl is on bicycles and the participants are dressed up as Santa. Spread holiday cheer and discover hole-in-the-wall taverns on this group ride whichstarts at a brisk 10 a.m.
Whiskey Bar, 788 N. Jackson
Dec. 10
Whiskey Bar’s holiday party features live music by Zach Wade and complimentary appetizers. First 50 people through the door get a free gift bag at this trendy Cathedral Square tavern.
DeLind Gallery of Fine Art, 450 E. Mason
Nov. 19 – Jan. 8
A collection of holiday-themed artwork along with an exhibition of recent acquisitions.
Holiday Open House at the Marshall Building
The Marshall Building, 207 E. Buffalo
Dec. 3
Free admission to over 20 arts related venues that will be open for holiday shopping. Bring a food item for Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee Food Drive.
Milwaukee Coach and Carriage Rides
Get all romantic by taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown MKE. The view of the city: amazing. The view of the horse: not so much.
Apple Holler Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
Apple Holler, Sturtevant
A sleigh ride through over 70 acres of scenic orchard and beautiful hardwoods. Very simple, rustic and awesome.
MSOE/Goethe House, MSOE
Dec. 5
Learn how St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in French and German speaking countries with speakers from the Alliance Française and Goethe House WI. Hear the true story of how the tradition of Santa Claus began with St. Nicholas, who was known as the protector and helper of those in need in the 3rd century.
