South Milwaukee Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025
Your complete guide to the best christmas events in South Milwaukee and surrounding areas
South Milwaukee comes alive this Christmas season with neighborhood Christmas lights and spirited holiday activities centered around the downtown shore and Grant Park area. Don’t miss Christmas at the Commons, where local artisans, carolers, and seasonal vendors gather for festive markets and family-friendly entertainment. Stroll illuminated streets, meet Santa in the pavilion, and enjoy seasonal performances and community-run Christmas markets that make the festive season warm and welcoming along the lakeshore.
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Christmas Markets
25 eventsOver 100 artisan vendors offering handmade holiday goods.
Christmas Lights
19 eventsWorld's largest Christmas light maze
Christmas Shows
12 eventsReimagined Nutcracker production with new sets and costumes
Christmas Parties
11 eventsSold-out wine walk with 20+ tasting locations and holiday lights.
Christmas Activities
31 eventsCity-wide holiday celebrations with diverse events and light displays.
Editor's Picks (6)
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The Nutcracker
(Milwaukee)
Reimagined Nutcracker production with new sets and costumes
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Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
(Milwaukee)
Over half a million brilliant bulbs illuminate downtown.
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Enchant Christmas - Milwaukee
(Franklin)
World's largest Christmas light maze
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Milwaukee Holiday Happenings
(Milwaukee)
City-wide holiday celebrations with diverse events and light displays.
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East Troy Railroad Museum Christmas Trains
(East Troy)
Historic electric train rides through Wisconsin countryside.
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Village Tree Lighting & Downtown Holiday Walk
(Libertyville)
Santa's grand entrance to light the Village Holiday Tree
Events Happening Soon (6)
Christmas Giving Opportunities Near South Milwaukee
Give back this holiday season with volunteering and charitable opportunities in South Milwaukee.
Salvation Army Waukegan Holiday Giving
The Salvation Army's Waukegan Corps invites the community to participate in their annual...
View full details →South Milwaukee Christmas Events Map
See every Christmas event, light display, and market on one map.
Also Near South Milwaukee
Christmas Events Road Trips & Weekend Getaways
Worth the drive for more holiday events near South Milwaukee!
South Milwaukee Christmas FAQ
The largest is Christmas at the Commons, a community celebration with lights, music, food, and a tree lighting. Seasonal activities and smaller neighborhood gatherings also take place throughout December.
South Milwaukee’s standstill parade format at Christmas at the Commons lets visitors walk among stationary floats and interact directly with performers, offering a more intimate experience than traditional parades.
Bucyrus Commons is the heart of the city’s holiday lights, but residential areas around downtown also feature charming neighborhood displays worth exploring on foot.
Christmas at the Commons is the main local market, with vendor stalls and community crafts. For more variety, visit artisan markets in nearby Milwaukee suburbs, which are just a short drive away.
Enjoying the lights and festivities at Christmas at the Commons is free, as are most neighborhood light displays. Community events often include free entertainment, making it easy to celebrate without spending much.
Christmas at the Commons offers bounce houses, live music, visits with Santa, and family-friendly activities. The standstill parade format is especially welcoming for young children and those with limited mobility.