Santa, hot cocoa and more: Milwaukee area tree lighting events to start the holiday season
Let's get in the holiday spirit!
Many Milwaukee-area communities begin the festive holiday season with a tree lighting event. A community tree lighting is more than just turning on the switch; many events include multiple family-friendly activities.
Hot cocoa, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling and holiday crafts are among the activities at many of the gatherings.
Pay attention to the dates and check the event's Facebook pages and websites for more detailed information. If a tree lighting ceremony is not on this list, contact us so it can be included.
Milwaukee County
Brown Deer
Each December, Brown Deer holds its annual holiday tree lighting. City officials are still finalizing the date and time for the 2024 event.
Check the city website at www.browndeerwi.org for updates.
The City of Cudahy is slated to have a visit from Santa, hot cocoa, arts and crafts and live music in addition to its tree lighting.
When:
Where: Clara Street Park, 4835 Clara St., Cudahy
Visit www.cityofcudahy.com
At the City of Greendale's tree-lighting event, Santa Claus will visit and the downtown businesses will be open. Some of them will have pop-up shops and special sales.
When:
: City Hall, 6500 Northway, Greendale (the shops that will be open in downtown Greendale)
Visit www.greendale.org/our_community/public_celebrations
For the City of Greenfield tree lighting, there will be music, kids games, entertainment and free horse-drawn sleigh rides.
When:
Where: Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
Visit www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/1353/Holiday-Tree-Lighting
Oak Creek
At the Oak Creek holiday tree lighting, people will see Drexel Town Square light up for the season. There will be free hot cocoa and cookies. After the light display is unveiled, there will be children's games, activities, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.
When:
Where: The light display will be outside the Civic Center and the other activities will be inside the library (both are at 8040 S. 6th St.)
Visit www.oakcreekwi.gov/resident/events/holiday-celebrations
South Milwaukee
The City of South Milwaukee's Christmas tree lighting is a part of Christmas in the Commons. Santa and Mrs. Claus are slated to visit, there will be holiday activities, and food and beverages.
When:
Where: Bucyrus Commons, 1028 Madison Ave., South Milwaukee
The City of Wauwatosa's tree lighting coincides with the grand opening of the Wauwatosa Holiday Market. A schedule of the lighting ceremonies is being finalized.
: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4
Where: Pocket Park (at Harwood and Wauwatosa avenues) in Wauwatosa
For more information: Visit www.wauwatosavillage.org/wauwatosa-village-tree-lighting and about the Wauwatosa Holiday Market, visit .
West Allis
The City of West Allis tree lighting ceremony will include choral performances and snacks
When:
Where: City Hall Centennial Plaza (in front of West Allis City Hall), 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Visit westalliswi.gov
Ozaukee County
The City of Cedarburg Christmas tree lighting event will include a Christmas concert, carols and free cookies, cider and make-and-take crafts. The tree lighting, led by Santa and local dignitaries, will follow.
When: The event begins at 5:30 p.m., and the tree lighting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2
Where: The Cedarburg Community Gym, W63 N641 Washington Ave., Cedarburg
At the Village of Grafton event, there will be cocoa, treats and the holiday tree lighting.
When:
Where:
For more information: Visit grafton-wi.org/holiday-events-in-grafton
For the tree-lighting event in the City of Mequon, Crossroads Presbyterian Church Choir and the Mequon-Thiensville Middle School Orchestra and Choir will perform. There will also be a hot chocolate bar. People can sign up for times to take a photo with Santa. Children can ride on a carriage while waiting to sit on Santa's lap.
There will also be cookie decorating, holiday craft making and an opportunity for people to make a card for the troops overseas.
: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 (the tree lighting is at 5 p.m.)
Where: In front of the City Hall, 11333 N. Cedarburg Road, Mequon
For more information: Visit www.ci.mequon.wi.us/community/page/winter-wonderland-3g .
The Village of Saukville's tree lighting will include a visit from Santa Claus. When:
: Veterans Park, 100 S. Mill St., Saukville
Visit villageofsaukvillewi.gov
The Village of Thiensville's tree lighting will include Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire truck, hot chocolate and refreshments, holiday carols and a coloring contest.
When:
Where: Walgreens parking lot, 278 N. Main St., Thiensville
Visit www.downtownthiensville.com/christmas-tree-lighting
Washington County
The Village of Germantown's tree lighting will be a part of the Christmas Festival & Christmas in the Park festivities. This includes the parade and festivities in the park — pictures with Santa, costumed characters, cookies and chili for sale, a candy land adventure and live holiday music.
When: The event begins with the parade at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and ends with the tree lighting around 4:30 p.m. The festivities at the park are from 2 to 4:45 p.m. and live music is from 3 to 4:15 p.m.
Where: The tree lighting and park festivities are at Firemen's Park, W162 N11870 Park Ave., Germantown. The live music is at Gehl's Performing Arts Pavilion at Firemen's Park. The parade begins at Pilgrim Road & Sylvan Circle and ends at Firemen's Park.
Visit germantownchamber.org/germantown-christmas-festival
West Bend
The City of West Bend will have Santa Claus at its tree lighting, There will be free hot chocolate and apple cider, music from the River City Christmas Brass Band and holiday carols. After the tree lighting, the Bend Theater will have a free showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
When: The West Bend tree lighting is set for Thursday, Nov. 7. The River City Christmas Brass Band will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m., followed by holiday carols and the lighting will take place after brief remarks by Mayor Joel Ongert and Business Improvement President Peggy Fischer at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Old Settlers Park, 120 N. Main St., West Bend
Visit visitwestbend.com/event/downtown-tree-lighting/
Waukesha County
Brookfield (City)
The City of Brookfield's tree lighting is a part of German Fest. German Fest includes wagon rides, live music, a fish fry, an appearance by Santa Claus and a Christmas Market.
When: German Fest is from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. The tree lighting is at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7
Where: The tree lighting is outside City Hall Clock Tower, 2000 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield
Visit www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/1086/German-Holiday-Market
The Corners (Town of Brookfield)
At the Corners in the Town of Brookfield, there will be carolers, live music with Ocean Rush , hot cocoa, light displayers, holiday crafts and a visit from Santa.
When:
Where: The Corners (Town of Brookfield), 20111 W. Bluemound Road,Brookfield
Visit thecornersofbrookfield.com/event
For Hartland's tree-lighting event, there will be a drone show, caroling by the tree and photos with Santa.
When:
Where: Outside the Village Center, 210 Cottonwood Ave., Hartland
Visit downtownhartland.com or find "Hartland Lights" on Facebook.
The Village of Lannon tree lighting includes caroling and selfies with Santa. Local area businesses and organizations will provide chili and treats.
When:
Where: Lannon Village Hall, 20399 W. Main St., Lisbon
villageoflannon.com/event/tree-lighting-2/
Menomonee Falls
The Menomonee Falls Christmas tree lighting is combined with its Small Business Saturday event. There will be wagon rides, family-friendly entertainment and a visit with Santa.
When:
Where: Centennial Plaza N88 W16688 Main St., Menomonee Falls (tree lighting at Centennial Plaza, other events nearby)
Visit christmasinthefalls.com
New Berlin
The tree lighting event in the City of New Berlin includes Santa story time, Christmas music and hot cocoa.
When:
Where: New Berlin's Activity & Recreation Center, 15321 W. National Ave., New Berlin
Visit newberlinwi.gov/2296/Christmas-Tree-Lighting
The City of Oconomowoc's tree lighting will be at the beginning of Oconomowoc's Christmas parade. People can bring donations for the food pantry and bring letters to Santa.
When: Saturday, Dec. 7. The tree lighting is 4:55 p.m. and the parade begins at 5 p.m.
Where: The Christmas tree lighting will be at 326 E. Wisconsin Ave. (in the grassy park area right off the downtown roundabout). The parade begins at the corner of Pleasant and Walnut streets.
Visit visitoconomowoc.com
Music and a sing-along, a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate and cookies will all be a part of the Village of Pewaukee's tree-lighting event.
When:
Where: The Clark House Museum, 206 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Visit www.pewaukeehistory.org/events
The Village of Sussex's tree lighting will include live music by local schoolchildren, hot cocoa and cookies and a visit by Santa Claus. Participants can bring non-perishable food items for Sussex Outreach Services.
When:
Where: The Civic Center, N64 W2370 Main St., Sussex
Visit www.villagesussex.org
The City of Waukesha's tree lighting will be a part of its annual Night of Lights event. At the lighting of the Christmas tree there will be hot chocolate, music and a visit from Santa Claus. After the tree lighting, there will be a lantern stroll and caroling through downtown Waukesha and a Walk of Lights illumination ceremony.
When: The tree lighting begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; the lantern ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m. (immediately after the tree lighting) and the Night of Lights ends at 7 p.m.
Where: The tree lighting ceremony is at the Rotunda (235 W. Broadway); the participants will begin at the Rotunda and will carol through downtown Waukesha and end at Riverfront Plaza (29 Riverfront St.) for the Walk of Lights illumination ceremony.
Visit www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/night-of-lights.php
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or Follow her on X at
