Visit Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane. Photo by Brian Jacobson/TCD Archive.

There’s plenty to do in Milwaukee this week.

Each week, Urban Milwaukee is curating a list of events that are taking the necessary safety precautions provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This week, Thanksgiving is over which means its time to put out the holiday lights and decorations. It also means that its time to make that annual drive through Candy Cane Lane, where houses show off spectacular light displays while raising money for the MACC Fund. There won’t be hundreds of Santas stopping at Lakefront Brewery this year for a pint, but you might see some here and there, cycling their own route in a new socially-distanced format for the Santa Cycle Rampage. There’s also still plenty of time to get in the holiday spirit and check out the Holiday Lights Festival downtown.

Candy Cane Lane, a West Allis tradition since 1984, will once again brighten W. Manitoba Street with holiday decorations worthy of a drive-by sight-seeing experience. Every year, Candy Cane Lane raises money for the MACC Fund, encouraging those who drive through to donate to a cause dedicated to fighting cancer and blood disorders. Candy Cane Lane will be fully lit up from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m on weekdays and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with daily entertainment and the chance to see Santa himself. For those who are unable to make it to Candy Cane Lane this year, but are interested in donating to the MACC Fund, follow this link.

December 3 – January 1: Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is celebrating its 22nd year with a socially distanced six-week-long event. Three Milwaukee parks and the Wisconsin Avenue Chandeliers, will be transformed with holiday lights. Cathedral Square Park will become the “Community Spirit Park” featuring Santa’s Mailbox presented by Educators Credit Union, where families can drop off their letters to Santa. If you drop it off before December 13th,  you’ll receive a personalized response in return. Pere Marquette Park will become “Tinsel Town Express,” where families can explore the North Pole’s “delivery depot” and pick up a holiday tree from the festive tree lot. And finally, take a photo in Santa’s chair at the “Polar Plaza powered by We Energies.”

December 5: Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market

Even though fall is coming to a close, there are still farmers markets to enjoy, such as the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market. The market, which is celebrating its 12th season, takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Annex at the Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Blvd.) until March 27th, 2021. The market will feature 30 vendors offering fresh local produce, baked goods, cheeses, handmade soaps and more. COVID-19 safety precautions and guidelines will be enforced, including a mandatory mask policy and restrictions on eating and drinking in the market.

December 5: Socially Distanced Santa Cycle Rampage

Since thousands of cyclists dressed up like Santa while riding bikes and drinking beer doesn’t sound like an appropriate event given the circumstances, Santa Cycle Rampage is pivoting to a socially distanced format this year. The Wisconsin Bike Fed is asking those who wish to participate this year to register for free and purchase custom, limited edition winter gaiters and masks and then wear them while riding any route that you feel comfortable traversing. The Wisconsin Bike Fed has laid out an “optional route” that will include “cookies for Santa,” stops that riders are encouraged to stop at, take photos with and then post to social media. To register and find out more information, follow this link.

The Marcus Performing Arts Center is hosting a livestream concert featuring actress and singer Vanessa Williams. Williams has sold millions of records worldwide that span multiple genres, has four Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, three SAG award nominations, seven NAACP Image Awards and three Satellite Awards. She’s most known for her single “Colors of the Wind,” which was featured in Disney’s Pocahontas. Williams’ performance will include a mix of Broadway showtunes, pop songs and personal stories, including a Q&A session where she will answer questions submitted by viewers in advance of the show. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.

December 5-6: Free Saint Kate’s Art Tour

Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel (139 E. Kilbourn Ave.) is offering a free half-hour tour every Saturday and Sunday through December 19th. The tours are limited to ten people and require masks and social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up throughout the hotel. The tour will explore newly installed features and will be lead by Curator and Art Historian Samantha Timm. Although the event is free, you must still sign up for a tour. You can sign up here. Both Saturday’s tour and Sunday’s tour will begin at 1 p.m.

December 6: Crossing Over 2020 Virtual Exhibition

Crossing Over is an exhibition showcasing the work of undergraduate students at the UWM Peck School of the Arts Department of Art and Design. These particular students have received a scholarship or fellowship award this year, and the event will explore their works throughout a variety of mediums and themes. The gallery will be hosted on the Union Art Gallery’s website. The gallery is free to access, and can be viewed by clicking here.