Milwaukee Public Market Launches Holiday Season with Inaugural Holiday Window Display

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Nov. 18, 2025) — The Milwaukee Public Market will launch the 2025 holiday season with a festive community celebration on Saturday, Nov. 22, unveiling its inaugural Holiday Window Display in partnership with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD).

For the first time, the St. Paul Avenue sidewalk will be transformed into a holiday-inspired gallery featuring ten large-scale, student-designed art installations adorning the Market’s windows along the block.

To celebrate the new seasonal tradition, an unveiling event will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, from noon to 2 p.m. and will include free hot cocoa, an artist meet-and-greet, a letter-to-Santa station and live caroling by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater at the top of each hour. Following the unveiling, the installations will remain on display through Jan. 31.

“For generations, public markets and main streets have brought people together to experience the magic of festive holiday windows,” said Paul Schwartz, executive director of the Milwaukee Public Market and Business Improvement District #2. “Our partnership with MIAD allows us to carry that beloved tradition forward in Milwaukee while showcasing the creativity and talent of local student artists.”

Adam Setala, chair and associate professor in the communication design department at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, said participating in the project has been an invaluable experience for the students and that “seeing their ideas come to life at this scale has given them a deep sense of pride and connection to their work.”

The holiday window installation builds upon the Market’s broader effort to activate public spaces, support local artists, and inspire community connection throughout the season. Additional 2025 holiday programming at the Milwaukee Public Market includes:

• MATC Parade of Gingerbread Houses – Returns Dec. 4
• Santa Christmas Cavalcade in partnership with Milwaukee Downtown – Dec. 6 and Dec. 12
• Celebrity Bell Ringing with The Salvation Army – Dec. 11
• Breakfast with Santa (ticketed) and Santa at the Market – Dec. 20
• A lineup of holiday-themed cooking and baking classes

The holiday window display is made possible through the support of sponsors including Educators Credit Union, 333 Water, Harmonic Harvest, Window Nation, and Visit Milwaukee, with support to community partners Hunger Task Force and Historic Milwaukee.

Those interested in hosting private holiday gatherings at the Market’s event space can contact the Market’s events team at events@milwaukeepublicmarket.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.