Milwaukee’s Christmas Markets fill the air with the rich aroma of hot pretzels, grilled sausages, and cinnamon-roasted nuts. The sounds of polka music and festive chatter echo through the lively stalls, while twinkling lights and handcrafted treasures catch your eye at every turn.
These family-friendly holiday markets create an immersive experience, bringing the warmth and wonder of the holiday season to life. From traditional Christkindlmarkts to unique artisan fairs, Milwaukee offers a variety of holiday markets perfect for creating magical holiday memories together.
Deer District Holiday Market — New This Year!
📍1134 N Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203 (Outside Fiserv Forum)
📅 Nov. 21–30 (Closed Thanksgiving Day)
- Local vendors (16 shops this year!)
- Santa visits, reindeer, & carolers
- Letters to Santa station
- Holiday eats & drinks
- Free to attend
Oconomowoc German Christmas Market
📍100 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
📅 November 26th – 30th, 2025
Kick off the holiday season at the Oconomowoc German Christmas Market, running from the day before Thanksgiving through the weekend. This festive event is a celebration of Bavarian traditions, featuring live polka music, German-style cuisine like chicken schnitzel, sausages, kraut, and strudel, along with mulled wine and Bavarian-roasted nuts. Food options extend beyond German favorites, with crepes and BBQ also on the menu. Discover locally made chocolates, pottery, honey, and alpaca fiber apparel. Don’t forget to bring the kids for photos with Santa!
Wauwatosa Christkindlmarkt — Canceled for 2025
📍7735 Harwood Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI, United States, 53213
Update for 2025: The beloved Wauwatosa Christkindlmarkt will not take place this year as local businesses continue to recover from historic flooding in August. Organizers shared that it wasn’t realistic to arrange vendors and partners in the coming months while recovery efforts are still underway.
The holiday market, typically hosted at the Harts Mills Lot (7735 Harwood Ave.), plans to return in December 2026.
Even though the market is on pause, many favorite holiday traditions in the Village will still happen—including the Holiday Sip & Strolls, the annual Village Tree Lighting, and a to-be-announced stop from the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train.
Christkindlmarkt in West Allis
📍6501 W. National Ave.
📅Friday, Dec. 5 from 4-9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 from noon-4 p.m.
Experience the charm of a European-inspired Christkindlmarkt in the heart of West Allis. Now in its seventh year, this festive market offers two days of holiday magic: Friday evening and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can explore an eclectic mix of wares from over 50 talented vendors, featuring handcrafted items and unique gifts by local artists and crafters, food trucks, craft brews, holiday music, and more!
Falls Christkindl Market (December 13, 2025)
📍Centennial Plaza, Menomonee Falls Downtown District
📅 December 13, 2025
The Falls Christkindl Market is like stepping into a winter wonderland in the heart of the Menomonee Falls Downtown District. Families can enjoy the festive atmosphere filled with authentic German cuisine, including bratwursts, Glühwein, and delectable desserts. Wander through the vibrant vendor market offering unique handcrafted goods, while traditional German music fills the air. Don’t miss a chance to take a horse-drawn carriage ride down Main Street, snap a photo with Santa Claus, and enjoy the sparkling holiday decor.
West Bend Old World Christmas Market
📍Downtown West Bend (6th Avenue)
📅 November 28–30, 2025
West Bend is bringing plenty of holiday Gemütlichkeit to its charming downtown with a brand-new Old World Christmas Market. Stroll the decorated streets, browse festive vendors, and soak up cozy small-town holiday vibes all weekend long.
Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort
📍101 Osthoff Ave, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020
📅 December 5-14, 2025
Voted #5 Best Holiday Market by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice in 2023, the Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort brings the charm of Europe’s traditional Christkindlesmarkt to Wisconsin.
This family-friendly event runs for 10 days, offering a mix of artisan crafts, handmade ornaments, and seasonal treats. Families can explore the grand heated tent, filled with Czech blown-glass ornaments, German nutcrackers, and festive food like schnitzel and apple strudel.
There are also activities such as horse-drawn wagon rides, ornament making, and breakfast with Santa. With picturesque winter scenery and a cozy holiday atmosphere, this market is sure hit for holiday fun.
Christkindl Market in Paoli, WI (December 12-14, 2025)
📍6858 Paoli Rd, Belleville, WI 53508
📅December 12-14, 2025
Families can experience an old-fashioned Christmas in the charming town of Paoli, WI, nestled along the scenic Sugar River. This festive event, produced by Cherry Blossom Events, offers a nostalgic holiday atmosphere complete with hot buttered rum, mulled wine, and delicious eggnog. The Christkindl Market at Seven Acre Dairy Co. features unique shopping, Yuletide traditions, and family-friendly activities.
South Milwaukee Christmas Market
📅 December 13, 2025 | 9 AM – 2 PM)
Join the holiday fun at the South Milwaukee Christmas Market on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at South Milwaukee High School. From art and crafts to delicious food, a festive raffle, and a visit from Santa Claus, this market offers something for the whole family. Perfect for finding unique gifts while enjoying holiday cheer. Stay tuned for more details!
Looking for more ways to make this holiday season unforgettable? Check out our Holiday Fun Guide for a full list of festive events and activities around Milwaukee.
And if you’re still shopping, don’t miss our Holiday Gift Guide for unique, local gift ideas that everyone will love!
More Holiday Markets
Holiday Market 2025 by reand Relic
For a festive shopping experience, the Holiday Market by reand Relic is the largest in Southeastern Wisconsin, featuring over 160 booths of handmade, vintage, and pop-up boutiques from across the Midwest. Held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex, this two-day indoor event offers live music, food trucks, and mobile boutiques.
Milwaukee Makers Market: Celebrate Local Creativity
The Milwaukee Makers Market (MMM) is more than a marketplace—it’s a vibrant celebration of local artisans and the community. Curated by creator Ryan Laessig, MMM offers an experience where visitors can connect with local makers, explore unique handmade products, and hear the incredible stories behind them. Held at venues like Discovery World Pavilion and The Ivy House, this monthly event is free to attend and provides a safe, fun, and welcoming atmosphere for all.
Cream City Creatives Holiday Market
Held at the historic Turner Hall Ballroom, the Cream City Creatives Holiday Market has been a Milwaukee staple since 2014. This annual event brings together local artisans and creators, offering a wide array of unique, handcrafted gifts perfect for the holiday season. With dozens of vendors, you’ll find everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry to home decor and holiday-themed goods.
MIAD Holiday Sale
The MIAD Holiday Sale is an annual event at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, where students and alumnishowcase their creative works. Shop affordable sculptures, paintings, photographs, jewelry, and more, while exploring on-campus galleries. This is a fantastic opportunity to support emerging local artists and find unique holiday gifts.
Saint Kate Holiday Marketplace
Step into the festive ambiance of Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel for the Saint Kate Holiday Marketplace, featuring over 100 local Milwaukee artists. Connect with vendors, enjoy holiday decor, and browse handmade goods, from art to jewelry, throughout this unique arts-focused hotel. A perfect stop for holiday shopping and local artistry.
Brady Street’s Winterfest & Holiday Market
Brady Street will transform into a festive hub with live music, street vendors, food trucks, and cozy hot beverage stations. Fire pits will be scattered throughout the area to keep you warm while you soak up the holiday cheer.
Waterford’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Market
Step into the holiday spirit at Waterford’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Market! Hosted by the Village of Waterford and Waterford Stillhouse, this festive weekend is filled with winter fun for all ages. Enjoy activities like ice skating, cookie decorating, shopping with local vendors, and live music.
German Bluegrass Christmas Market
The German Bluegrass Christmas Market at Kettle Moraine Ranch in Eagle, Wisconsin is a unique holiday event featuring live bluegrass music, a Christkindl market with local vendors, and festive drinks like glühwein and hot toddies. Set in a charming Western-style village, the event offers free morning admission and affordable tickets for an all-day music lineup. Celebrate the season with a mix of music, shopping, and holiday spirit in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
