Christmas in the Area: The Best Festivities Around Town
Photo by Valeria Vinnik from Pexels.
Bella Gruber
Christmas is everyone’s favorite time to gather and reflect on what a year it’s been, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by spending time with family and friends around the area this Christmas season. Check out these holiday-themed ideas that are budget and family-friendly!
1. Holiday light shows
Both entertaining and friendly for all ages, holiday light shows can be seen around all of southeastern Wisconsin. Here are a few of the best:
Skate in downtown Milwaukee for free with your own skates! This is perfect for an outing on a December weekend, and it can be paired with dinner in the area or with a show at a nearby theater.
3. Christmas markets
Christmas markets hold various festivities, such as crafts, food, art, and local vendors to buy personalized gifts. One type of Christmas market in particular, German Christkindlmarkts, features German entertainment and cuisine. Two of the most notable Christkindlmarkts in the area are Menomonee Falls and Oconomowoc’s markets. To see a full list of Christmas markets in Wisconsin, click here.
4. Visit a local restaurant with special holiday menus
Lots of restaurants in the area offer holiday buffets and Santa Brunch events that are enjoyable for all ages. These locations provide great opportunities to have a delicious holiday meal with friends or family.
5. See The Nutcracker
Photo courtesy of The Milwaukee Ballet.
The Milwaukee Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is great entertainment and a holiday must-watch at some point. Tickets are on sale now and shows run from December 8th through the 26th.
6. Visit local businesses in downtown areas for Xmas shopping
Many suburbs in the area have beautiful downtown strips with lots of local businesses. These are great for looking for a simple gift for loved ones, plus you can feel good about yourself by supporting a small business. Some of these downtown areas are shown below:
Left to right: Cedarburg (photo from Ozaukee Living Local), Oconomowoc, (photo from Visit Oconomowoc), and Port Washington (photo from MKE with Kids).
And many more!
7. Give back! Many charities are looking for volunteers to help not only around the holidays but also throughout the year. For example, while many soup kitchens are overloaded with volunteers around the holidays, they often lack a sufficient number of volunteers year-round. Instead of only volunteering with your loved ones around Christmas Time, make it a tradition to give back around the time of any major holiday year-round. This list provides opportunities that run all year in Waukesha County. Also keep an eye out for clubs around Hamilton that are providing easy yet helpful options to do your part, such as food drives and charity cash collections.
Bonus idea: If you’re big on online shopping, find presents that donate money to charities in need! WWF is a great jumping-off point for memorable gifts that go to a great cause.
8. Support your local talent!
Witness authentic talent by attending concerts or shows directed towards the holiday season, such as Hamilton and TMS’s band concert at the FAC this Thursday, the 21st, along with choir and theater productions as well!
