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December & Holiday Events in Milwaukee

By Carrie Trousil, About.com

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December Holiday Events - Milwaukee is always a busy city, but things really get crazy during the holiday season. From skating at Red Arrow Park to catching one of the great holiday shows, there a tons of events to keep everyone busy straight through until 2009.

  • Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
    When: November 20 - January 4
    What: festive light displays downtown
    Where: various downtown parks
    Cost: free


  • A Grand Avenue Christmas at the Pabst Mansion
    When: November 21 - January 11
    What: renaissance mansion fully decked out for Christmas
    Where: Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave.
    Cost: $9, $8 students and seniors, $5 children, free for children 6 and under
    Contact: (414) 931-0808


  • Slice of Ice - Skating at Red Arrow Park
    When: November 26 - ? (weather dependent)
    What: a Milwaukee winter tradition
    Where: Red Arrow Park, 920 N. Water St.
    Cost: $6 for skate rental, free with your own skates
    Contact: (414) 289-8791


  • Black Friday Shopping
    When: Friday, November 28
    What: the biggest shopping day of the year
    Where: everywhere


  • Lighting of the Whale
    When: Friday, November 28
    What: an unusual holiday kick-off
    Where: Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St.
    Cost: Free with admission
    Contact: (414) 278-2728


  • Harry Connick, Jr.’s “The Happy Elf”
    When: November 28 - December 24
    What: a special First Stage Children's Theater performance
    Where: Marcus Center, 929 N. Water St.
    Cost: $15.50 - $36.50
    Contact: (414) 273-7206


  • A Christmas Carol
    When: November 28 - December 28
    What: a beloved holiday classic
    Where: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells St.
    Cost: $10 - $45
    Contact: (414) 224-9490


  • Christmas in the Ward
    When: Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6
    What: a neighborhood shopping and holiday celebration
    Where: throughout the Third Ward
    Cost: free


  • Artisans and Entrepreneurs Holiday Market
    When: Saturday, December 6
    What: shopping fair featuring local artisans
    Where: Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, 500 N. Harbor Dr.
    Cost: free
    Contact: (414) 765-9966


  • Breakfast or Lunch with Santa
    When: Saturdays and Sundays, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21
    What: a chance to dine with the jolly red elf
    Where: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd.
    Cost: $13, $5 children 2 and under
    Contact: (414) 256-5466


  • Trans-Siberan Orchestra
    When: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 14
    What: holiday musical favorite
    Where: Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St.
    Cost: $38 - $48
    Contact: (414) 276-4545


  • Celtic Thunder
    When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 16
    What: an Irish musical extravaganza
    Where: Milwaukee Theater, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave.
    Cost: $37.50 - $57.50
    Contact: (414) 908-6001


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