Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors.
Clothing, jewelry, kitchen gadgets – these are all fine gifts, but the gift of an experience is sometimes more valuable. Plus, by trying something new, we grow as humans – or at the very least, become a dash more interesting. And that will never get returned. It's a fit forever.
If you have someone on your list who likes to get out and do cool stuff in the city, this guide is a good place to start. Or if something looks appeaing on this list to you, start dropping hints now.
Dress a lobster!
In this class at the Public Market, called "From Sea To Sizzle: Surf & Turf with Chef Michael Solovey," guests will learn how to dress lobster tail to be broiled to perfection before searing filet mignon to their personal preference of doneness. They'll also prepare a modern béarnaise and have their pick of toppings at a baked potato bar. Great couple's gift! Get all the info here.
Tee off at X Golf
Make a golfer's holiday by grabbing them a gift card from X Golf at American Family Field. They'll experience the best in indoor golf simulation throughout 2025. Go here for the buy. Round out the experience with a gift card from Barrel Yard pre-or-post golf for food and drink.
Take in a concert by candlelight
Purchase the gift of tickets for a romantic Candlelight Concert at The Abbey at Saint James 1868. Upcoming concerts include a tribute to Queen, Adele, "Bridgerton" and more. Go here for more information.
Cruise with City Tours MKE
Have someone who likes to get out, have fun and explore the city on your lis? City Tours MKE offers brewery tours, wine and chocolate tours, "iconic Milwaukee" tours and many more. They also have a brand new cafe/bar/venue called Station 1846 for before and after tour festivities. Check all of it out here.
Cocktail and make candles
A gift certificate to Glassworks CandleBar is a fun, creative gift for an individual, couple or family with older kids. The experience includes concocting a personal scent for a soy candle. Handcrafted cocktails and mocktails flow freely and the space is warm, intimate and hip, located in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. Go here to make a reservation.
Paint, sip, repeat
For the creative folks on your list, few things will sound more appealing than painting wood projects and sipping warm beverages in a cozy studio during the post-holiday blues months (oh hi January and February). Give a gift certificate good for a project at Board & Brush in Elm Grove now, and the recipient will thank you later. More info here.
Have a very merry axe throwing experience
Got a gal or guy on your list with a sense of adventure who’s also in need of a de-stresser? A gift card from NorthSouth Club is a bullseye, a must-buy. The biz also has a shuffle board, a bar, food menu and other fun stuff on site. Click here for the details.
Give gifts that truly keep giving
Get one for your friends, family, teacher, spiritual leader, bartender or neighbor from Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, The Harley-Davidson Museum, The Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee County Z00 or The Mitchell Park Domes.
Surprise 'em with Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off tix
Treat the hockey fans in your life to the fourth annual Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off during which Wisconsin takes on Ferris State, and UConn squares off against Alaska Fairbanks. The semifinal winners will meet for the title game on Sunday, Dec. 29, along with the consolation match. Get the tickets and more info here.
Climb the rocks for a healthy New Year
An Adventure Rock experience is a fun, family-friendly offering that's redeemable at multiple locations in Milwaukee and suburban Milwaukee. Find out more here.
Sign 'em up for the OnMilwaukee Squad
We're a little biased, but we think this is the ideal gift for people who like to get behind the scenes and try new things in Milwaukee. From private happy hours to secret tavern tours, OnMilwaukee Squad memberships will definitely spice up 2025. Find out more here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
