Last updated: November 11, 2024
Can't wait for the holiday joy in Wauwatosa? Dive into our guide for the best festive events! For Wauwatosa connoisseurs and newcomers, our guide is the recipe for holiday delight.
Popular events during the season include the Wauwatosa Holiday Market, where local artisans and vendors showcase unique gifts and treats that capture the spirit of the holidays. Featuring breathtaking music and stunning visuals, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra delivers a dynamic concert experience that is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages. And the beloved classic, The Nutcracker, is something you definitely don't want to miss as it brings the enchanting tale to life on stage. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Wauwatosa Holiday Light Displays
Village Tree Lighting
Join us at the Village Tree Lighting on December 4, 2024, as we officially usher in the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy hot chocolate and mulled wine from Draft & Vessel while gathering around the tree. The event features a music performance by McKinley Elementary students and a visit from Santa. The ceremony concludes with a countdown to light the tree, followed by visits with Santa at Root Common Park.
Wild Lights
The Milwaukee County Zoo transforms into an illuminated destination with hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights, featuring themed areas, live entertainment, and festive food options.
SnowGlobe Holiday Festival
The SnowGlobe Holiday Festival at Milwaukee's Ballpark Commons offers a captivating holiday experience with a SnowGlobe-inspired light maze, Christmas cocktails and pop-up bars, a Christmas village, VIP and private event experiences, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, an ice-skating trail, live entertainment, and a build-your-own-buddy activity.
Wauwatosa Holiday Markets and Shopping
Wauwatosa Holiday Market
The Wauwatosa Holiday Market offers authentic European food, unique shopping, family-friendly events, and live entertainment. Enjoy hot pretzels, grilled sausages, ice cold beer, hot mulled wine, and hot chocolate. Live music by bands like Copper Box and The Polkaholics adds to the festive atmosphere.
Holiday Sip & Stroll
Stroll through the historic Village of Wauwatosa, sampling beverages and treats while enjoying in-store specials and discounts at local shops and restaurants.
Small Business Saturday
Support local businesses by shopping in the Village of Wauwatosa on Small Business Saturday. Enjoy exclusive deals and specials at independently owned shops and restaurants.
West Allis Christkindlmarkt
The West Allis Christkindlmarkt is a traditional European-style Christmas market featuring over 60 vendors, including Wisconsin specialty food retailers and artisan craft vendors. The event includes live music and a variety of local food trucks and beer from local breweries.
Hover Craft
Hover Craft is a premier handmade holiday shopping event featuring over 120 local artists, crafters, and makers selling unique, high-quality gifts. The event offers a variety of food and drink options, including Colectivo Coffee and a full bar, and is held at the Historic Pritzlaff Building in downtown Milwaukee.
One Trick Pony Holiday Flea
One Trick Pony Holiday Flea is a curated vintage market featuring over 40 vendors offering unique, handmade, and vintage items.
Re:Craft: Mini Market
The Handmade Holiday Mini Market at the Brookfield Conference Center features 50 local and regional artists, makers, and creatives selling fine art, functional art, and handmade goods. The event offers a beautiful setting with a coffee and mimosa bar, making it an ideal place to shop and enjoy.
Wauwatosa Holiday Shows and Entertainment
CP Holiday Train Stop
The CP Holiday Train Stop in Wauwatosa features a brightly decorated train with professional musicians performing free concerts to raise money and awareness for local food banks.
Mannheim Steamroller
Mannheim Steamroller presents a holiday tradition featuring Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound, with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.
A Christmas Carol
A classic adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" featuring Matt Daniels as Ebenezer Scrooge, with enchanting music, dance, costumes, scenery, and special effects. The story follows Scrooge as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, leading him to a transformative change in his life.
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic featuring Tchaikovsky's beloved score performed live by the Milwaukee Ballet, with elaborate sets and costumes, and a cast of over 200 dancers and students.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents a spectacular holiday tour featuring a rock opera based on "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve," with a new and larger presentation of the beloved holiday tradition. The show includes a rocking, blazing, and laser-lit second set containing more of TSO's greatest hits and fan-favorites.
Home Alone Tour With Macauley Culkin
Join Macaulay Culkin for a nostalgic evening as he screens the original 1990 Home Alone film, followed by a moderated Q&A session where he shares his on-set experiences and favorite memories from filming.
Wauwatosa Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Folk Fair International
The Holiday Folk Fair International is America’s premier multicultural festival, celebrating the cultural heritage of southeastern Wisconsin through music, food, dance, and art.
Wauwatosa Gift Guide 2024
