10 Things To Do in Milwaukee This Weekend For Kids (December 4-7, 2025)

• Friday Night Holiday Lights at the Villa (December 5 and 12, 2025, 4-8 PM): Stroll through the Villa’s beautifully decorated gardens, aglow with twinkling lights and festive charm. Enjoy a cozy cup of hot chocolate as you take in the sights and sounds of the holidays in this enchanting evening setting. Full Details >>
  
• The Snowyard at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum (Early December through Mid-February): In this wintery wonderland, simple, everyday cardboard turns into something extraordinary—powered by imagination! This pop-up exhibit features a mountainside sock skating rink, snowman stacking, snow fort building and seasonal Be A Maker activities like a 3-D polar bear and a unique snowflake with yarn. Full Details >>

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LIVE SHOWS

• Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium (OPENING WEEKEND!) (December 6-26, 2025): After two whimsical years of record-setting audience attendance and universal critical acclaim, journey into the Imaginarium to experience the wonders of the holidays once again. Full Details >>
  
• Resounding Joy: Christmas at the Basilica of St. Josaphat (December 5-7, 2025): This hour-long choral concert features classic carols and songs of the season performed by the Bel Canto Chorus. Full Details >>
  
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert at the Riverside Theater (December 5-7): This concert presents the first movie of the unforgettable Harry Potter series while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ enchanting score. Full Details >>
  
• The Flamenco Nutcracker at South Milwaukee PAC (December 6, 3 PM and 7 PM): This family-friendly Nutcracker with a twist is not to be missed. This year’s production will feature an extraordinary lineup of local, national, even Grammy award winning international stars. Full Details >>

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FREE HOLIDAY FUN

• Christmas in the Ward (December 5, 2025, 5:30-8:30 PM): This family-friendly event features a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks over the river, a visit from Santa and his reindeer, live entertainment, festive food and drinks, and much more. Full Details >>
  
• Santa Rampage Bike Ride (December 6, 2025, 9:30 AM): Thousands of Santas, reindeer, and elves hit the streets for this festive, slow-rolling bike parade. Families are invited to join the Elf Cycle Frenzy — a 3.5-mile, kid-friendly ride that ends with hot cocoa, snacks, and holiday activities. Full Details >>
  
• Holidays on the Hop (December 7, 14 and 21, 2025, 4-6 PM): Hop aboard Milwaukee’s free streetcar for live holiday music and and free cookies for riders. Full Details >>
  
• Allis in Winterland (December 6, 2025, 3-4 PM): Each year, the City Hall Art Gallery is transformed into a cinematic family-friendly event complete with decorations, activities, and more! This year’s movie and theme will be Polar Express. Full Details >>
  
• MATC Parade of Gingerbread Houses at Milwaukee Public Market (December 5-14, 2025): Culinary students from Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) present a dazzling display of intricate and imaginative gingerbread houses. Full Details >>
  
• Very Merry Milwaukee at Milwaukee County Historical Society (December 7, 2025, 10 AM-1 PM): Enjoy photos with Santa, live music, a holiday winter train layout, seasonal art projects, tasty treats, and new exhibits showcasing local and global winter holiday traditions. Full Details >>

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UP FOR A DRIVE?

• World’s Tallest Glass Tree Festival – Williams Bay (December 5-7, 12-14, 2025): Witness the building of the World’s Tallest Glass Tree, live glassblowing, steel sculpting and woodworking alongside a Winter Market. All tickets include access to Yerkes Observatory. Full Details >>
  
• Holly Jolly Jubilee & Gingerbread Village at Apple Holler (December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 2025): This fun, family-friendly experience celebrates everything to love about the holidays — complete with a special visit from Santa himself! Full Details >>

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