Milwaukee Area Christmas Tree Lightings 2025: Dates, Times & Family-Friendly Events

The twinkle of lights, the smell of cocoa, the sound of carols – there’s nothing quite like the moment a community tree lights up for the first time. All across Milwaukee and its surrounding towns, families are gathering to kick off the season together.

This guide includes every confirmed Christmas tree lighting for 2025, from Milwaukee’s big downtown celebration to small-town favorites filled with charm and cheer.

Looking for even more holiday magic? For more magical holiday experiences, check out our 2025 Milwaukee Holiday Guide for Families.

New for 2025

This year, a few beloved local traditions are getting exciting updates!

• Hartland is adding a dazzling holiday drone show to its tree lighting celebration.
• Wauwatosa is debuting a Cookie Trail Walk (preorder required) before the ceremony.
• Brookfield (The Corners) will feature a new drone show during their lighting event.
• City of Milwaukee’s tree, donated by the Yeager family and designed by local pro David Caruso, will shine in the newly christened “Cheer District.”
• Brookfield (City) is combining its tree lighting with German Fest, featuring live music, wagon rides, crafts, and Santa.

Milwaukee and its surrounding communities are truly sparkling this holiday season – let’s dive into every local tree lighting happening in 2025.

Top Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting Events

112th Annual City Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, November 21, 2025 | 5:00-7:00 PM
Location: Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Celebrate the big kickoff in the heart of the city. The “Cheer District” transforms the Deer District stage with a towering 38-foot Colorado Blue Spruce (donated by the Thabet family from Morgandale). Expect live performances, free hot cocoa, reindeer games, and plenty of photo ops. Santa, Dancer, Vixen, Cupid and Bango are going to be there, too. The cast from Milwaukee Reps A Christmas Carol and Reagan High School Varsity Drumline are going to perform.
Parents: arrive early for good downtown parking or consider public transit to ease arrival and departure.

Christmas in the Ward – Third Ward, Milwaukee

Friday, December 5, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Catalano Square (Historic Third Ward)
This family-friendly favorite features live music, costumed characters, a fireworks show over the river and the tree lighting itself and emceed by Molly Snyder. Free event, tons of festive energy for all ages.

Annual Pfister Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: Friday, November 28, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
This long-standing tradition features Santa leading the tree lighting while guests enjoy warm drinks and festive treats. The hotel’s stunning 18-foot tree shines with 5,100 lights, surrounded by eight smaller trees adorned with 13,100 more. Throughout the space, 320 feet of garland and 750 yards of ribbon tied into 150 oversized bows create an immersive holiday backdrop. The hotel will also collect non-perishable food donations for Hunger Task Force.

Wauwatosa Village Tree Lighting

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | Cookie Trail Walk starts at 3:30 PM; Tree Lighting at 5:30 PM
Location: Pocket Park, Harwood & Wauwatosa Aves., Wauwatosa
Look for a choir at 5:15 PM, Santa arriving on a fire truck, followed by a festive movie in Root Common Park. Pre-order your “cookie trail box” if your kids are in for the fun.

Annual West Allis Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 6, 2025 | Tree Lighting 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM; Parade 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Centennial Plaza (City Hall), 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
The parade and tree lighting combo delivers marching bands, floats, vintage vehicles, live performers and of course Santa at the end. This is fun for the whole family.

Holiday Town Tree Lighting at the Corners of Brookfield

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: The Corners of Brookfield, Brookfield
This lively event has carolers, live music (Ocean Rush), light displays, crafts, cocoa, Santa – and this year features a drone show! There is a meet and greet with Ana and Elsa. This event is in partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation Wisconsin.

Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting

Friday, November 28, 2025 | Parade Starts 6:00 PM
Location: Kent Ave. & Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay
On the earlier side (parade starting ~6 PM from Silver Spring Drive to Marborough Drive), this event mixes a fun sausage race, Malamutes, scout troops, and Santa arriving by sleigh. A smaller-town feel, well worth the drive north. Witness the tree lighting at Consaul Commons. Whitefish Bay High School Choir will sing Christmas carols.

Cedarburg Christmas Tree Lighting

Monday, December 1, 2025 | Event begins 5:30 PM; Tree Lighting starts 7:00 PM
Location: Cedarburg Community Gym, W63 N641 Washington Ave., Cedarburg
A cozy evening in a charming setting. Carols, holiday treats, crafts and a Santa visit create a small-town vibe perfect for kids.

East Troy Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa Parade Train

Saturday, December 6, 2025
Santa makes a magical arrival in East Troy each year — not by sleigh, but by electric train. The East Troy Electric Railroad’s Christmas Parade Train rolls in after a series of scheduled stops along the route from Mukwonago, giving families plenty of places to wave as it passes. When the train reaches town, Santa hops onto an East Troy Fire Department truck for his grand entrance in Village Square Park, where he helps light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree and kicks off the interactive East Troy Lights display.