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Santa Claus is making his rounds in Milwaukee, bringing holiday cheer to kids and families across Southeastern Wisconsin! If you’re wondering where to meet Santa this year, we’ve rounded up the best spots for a festive photo, a cozy chat, or a one-of-a-kind holiday adventure. From classic mall visits and free community events to magical stops at museums and local landmarks, here’s your complete 2025 guide to where you can meet Santa around Milwaukee.
✨ Don’t Miss: If your family loves a good holiday breakfast, check out our full guide to Breakfast with Santa Events Around Milwaukee (2025). It’s packed with delicious options where kids can enjoy pancakes, crafts, and a visit with the big guy himself!
Quick Look: Where to Meet Santa Around Milwaukee (2025)
Unique Santa Experiences
- Father Christmas at the Pabst Mansion — Old-world Father Christmas, treats, letters, and historic holiday rooms. (Sundays Nov. 30–Dec. 22, plus a special visit on Christmas Eve.)
- Santa at The Domes — Storytime + visit with Santa. (Nov. 29, 10:00–12:00.)
- Soda with Santa at Sprecher Brewery — Brewery tour + photos on select Sundays. (Nov. 16, 23, 30; Dec. 7, 14.)
- Cocoa & Claus at Betty Brinn — Storytime, toy-making workshop, photos, and hot cocoa. (Dec. 20.)
- Old World Wisconsin: Home for the Holidays — Santa’s Workshop, Krampus, straw goat, seasonal traditions. (Dec. 6–7 & 13–14; select Saturdays/Sundays 10 AM–3 PM.)
- North Point Lighthouse — Photos with Santa in a maritime setting. (Dec. 14 & 21.)
Free Santa Experiences
- Cocoa with the Clauses (Cathedral Square Park) — Photos, elves, cocoa, free community fun. (Dec. 13.)
- Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade — Santa riding a vintage fire truck through downtown. (Dec. 6 & Dec. 12.)
- Milwaukee County Historical Society — Photos, crafts, cocoa, cookies. (Dec. 7.)
- Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland — Free 4×6 photo, activities, and reservations available. (Through Dec. 24.)
- Santa’s Workshop in Cedarburg — Gingerbread house visits + letter drop-offs. (Select dates.)
- Ruckus & Glee — Free photos with Santa the day after Thanksgiving. (2025 dates TBD.)
- Cruising with Santa in Greenfield — Santa parades through neighborhoods. (2025 dates TBD.)
- 10th Annual Giveback Event (Mequon) — Santa, real reindeer, snow globe photos, crafts, treats. (2025 dates coming soon.)
- Milwaukee County Parks Breakfast with Santa — Breakfast, games, raffles. (Dec. 13.)
Mall Santa Photos & Visits
- Southridge Mall — Nov 21–Dec 24; walk-ins or reservations. Bonus: B&B Choo Choo Train.
- Mayfair Mall — Nov 14–Dec 24; reservations recommended.
- Brookfield Square — Santa’s Workshop, letters, mailbox, festive photo setup. (Santa arrives Nov. 13.)
More Ways to See Santa
- Santa’s Mailboxes in Milwaukee: Send a letter straight to the North Pole — and maybe even get a reply!
- Milwaukee Christmas Parades: Many local parades end with a visit from Santa himself.
- Christmas Tree Lightings Around Milwaukee: Catch Santa as he helps flip the switch on sparkling trees across the city.
- Magical Holiday Experiences Around Milwaukee: Twinkling light displays to train rides, ice castles, and cozy cocoa stops.
👉 For the quickest, most accurate list of what’s happening near you, head to our Events Calendar and search “Santa.”
Unique Santa Experiences
Father Christmas at the Pabst Mansion
Pabst Mansion
Sundays November 30-December 22 from 3:00-5:30 PM
Special Visit on Christmas Eve
With his walking stick and trimmed red cloak, a whimsical Father Christmas travels south to visit the Pabst Mansion each Sunday during the holiday season. Create magical memories with holiday treats, letters to Santa, and room after room of enchanting Christmas displays.
Santa at the Domes
Mitchel Park Domes
November 29, 2025 from 10:00-12:00
Santa will be sharing classic holiday stories and visiting with kids afterward! Included with admission.
Sprecher Brewery
701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, WI 53209
2025 Dates: Sunday Nov. 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7 14, 2025
Celebrate the season at Sprecher Brewery’s Soda with Santa! This beloved Milwaukee tradition invites families to tour the brewery and snap a memorable photo with Santa on select Sundays. Tickets are required in advance.
Cocoa & Claus at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
December 20, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This annual event features Story Time with Santa, a DIY Toy-Making Workshop, festive photos, complimentary hot cocoa, and more!
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Hwy 67, Eagle, WI 53119
December 6-7 & 13-14, 2025
Select Saturdays and Sundays | 10 AM – 3 PM
Experience nostalgic holiday traditions at Old World Wisconsin’s Home for the Holidays! Running through December, this event offers an immersive celebration of various seasonal customs from Victorian, Scandinavian, and German cultures. Highlights include Santa’s Workshop, meeting Krampus, a giant Scandinavia straw goat, and more!
North Point Lighthouse
2650 N. Wahl Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Sunday, December 14 and Sunday, December 21, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Santa is making a stop at the North Point Lighthouse Museum in Lake Park, and you can have your picture taken with him in his maritime workshop. Regular admission rates apply.
Free Santa Experiences
Looking to meet Santa in Milwaukee without spending a dime? You’re in luck! This season, Santa is making appearances at several spots around the city, offering free holiday fun for families. From festive photo ops to magical moments with Santa himself, here’s where you can find the best free Santa experiences in Milwaukee.
Cocoa with the Clauses
Saturday, December 13th, 2025 | 11am to 2pm Cathedral Square Park
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a festive afternoon at Cathedral Square Park for Cocoa With The Clauses! Bring the kids to share their holiday wishes, snap a free photo with Santa, and enjoy holiday fun with elves and other seasonal characters.
Santa’s Christmas Calvalcade
Saturday, December 6 & Friday, December 12, 2025
Departs from Milwaukee Public Market
Catch Santa and Mrs. Claus on a one-of-a-kind holiday ride through downtown Milwaukee! Santa will ride atop a vintage fire truck, joined by local singer-songwriter Sarah Fierek performing holiday tunes.
Plus, check out our guide to the best Christmas Parades around Milwaukee, featuring floats, marching bands, and maybe even a glimpse of Santa himself.
Milwaukee County Historical Society
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Milwaukee County Historical Society
Kick off the holiday season at the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s Very Merry Holiday Celebration! Snap a photo with Santa, enjoy festive crafts, and warm up with hot cocoa and cookies straight from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen.
Cabela’s
1 Cabela Way, Richfield, WI 53076
Experience the magic of the holiday season with Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s! Through December 24, enjoy free activities, giveaways, and a festive photo opportunity with Santa himself. Secure your free 4×6 photo and a shareable video with Santa by reserving your spot up to seven days in advance.
Santa’s Workshop in Cedarburg
Each year, a charming 15×15-foot gingerbread house graces Cedarburg’s Washington Avenue for the entire Christmas season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by Santa’s Workshop on select days. Kids are encouraged to drop off letters to Santa.
Ruckus & Glee
2025 Dates Coming Soon
805 N. 68th Street, Wauwatosa
Bring the family to Ruckus & Glee the day after Thanksgiving for a free visit with Santa. Santa will be there for four hours, ready to hear Christmas wish lists and take photos—no charge for pictures.
Cruising with Santa in Greenfield
2025 Dates Coming Soon
Santa is coming back to cruise through the Greenfield neighborhoods—and he’s bringing friends along to help spread holiday cheer! Scout out your spot on the street to wave and wish him a happy holiday.
10th Annual Giveback Event – Mid-State Insurance
📍 7105 W Mequon Rd, Mequon, WI 53092
2025 Dates Coming Soon
Join this family-friendly event benefitting the Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center!
Event Highlights:
- Meet Santa and his real reindeer
- Enjoy hot cocoa, popcorn, and cookies
- Photos in a life-sized snow globe (new!)
- Kids’ crafts and reindeer food to take home
- Light-up gift (while supplies last)
- Giving tree sponsored by local businesses
Free with donation (cash, Venmo, or suggested items like toys, games, or gift cards).
Milwaukee County Parks Breakfast with Santa
December 13, 2025
Milwaukee County Parks hosts two festive Breakfast with Santa events at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Kosciuszko Community Center on Saturday, December 14th, 2024. Families can enjoy a delicious breakfast, holiday games, raffles, and special surprises for kids.
Don’t Miss: Santa’s Mailboxes in Milwaukee
Send a letter straight to the North Pole! Discover all 10 Santa’s Mailbox locations around Milwaukee and make this holiday season unforgettable!
Santa at the Mall: Photos & Visits
Southridge Mall
5300 S. 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129
Capture special holiday memories with Santa at Southridge Mall from November 21 to December 24, 2025. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can reserve your spot online for convenience. Santa will be located on the lower level at Center Court.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the B&B Choo Choo! Train! While you’re visiting Santa at Center Court, hop on the festive train located on the lower level. Get your tickets from the conductor—tickets are flexible and never expire, so you can ride whenever the train is at the station.
Mayfair Mall
Meet Santa at Mayfair Mall on Level 1 near Nordstrom from Nov. 14 through Dec. 24. Create holiday memories with a photo and let Santa know what’s on your wish list. Reservations are recommended
Brookfield Square Mall
95 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005
Step into Santa’s Workshop at Brookfield Square for a magical holiday experience! Kids can fill out a “Dear Santa” letter, take a festive photo with Santa, and drop off their letters in Santa’s mailbox. Santa arrives on Thursday, November 13. 2025. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
More Ways to See Santa in Milwaukee
Can’t get enough of Santa this season? Here are more ways to spot him around the city:
- Santa’s Mailboxes in Milwaukee: Send a letter straight to the North Pole — and maybe even get a reply!
- Milwaukee Christmas Parades: Many local parades end with a visit from Santa himself.
- Christmas Tree Lightings Around Milwaukee: Catch Santa as he helps flip the switch on sparkling trees across the city.
- Magical Holiday Experiences Around Milwaukee: Twinkling light displays to train rides, ice castles, and cozy cocoa stops.
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids”, a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids.
She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s ‘Real Milwaukee’, B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
