Santa Claus is coming to town! You and your family can make sure you are on the nice list with a visit at any one of these locations. Tis the season, Milwaukee!
Purple Door Ice Cream (Dec. 12)
205 S 2nd St., (414) 988-2521
purpledooricecream.com
Visit Purple Door Ice Cream's scoop shop on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1-2 p.m. and you'll have the chance to meet Santa Claus himself. There will be candy canes for the kids and plenty of photo ops with the jolly old elf (bring your camera or smart phone to take part in the fun).
22nd Annual Yvonne Ware Memorial Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 12)
Kosciuszko Community Center, 2201 S. 7th St., (414) 645-4624
county.milwaukee.gov
On Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, enjoy a family breakfast with Santa Claus himself. The breakfast features sausage, all-you-can-eat pancakes and a beverage. There'll also be music, crafts and activities for children, raffles and photo opportunities with Santa. The first 250 children under 12 receive a holiday gift bag.
A Very Merry Milwaukee (Dec. 6)
Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World Third St., (414) 273-8288
milwaukeehistory.net
See Santa and his friend, Billie the Brownie, at this wonderful holiday event! Get your picture taken with Santa, see the Historical Center decorated for the season and enjoy their "Milwaukee Holiday Treasures and Traditions" exhibit. Kids can listen to Mrs. Claus as she reads holiday favorites, or even write a letter to Santa!
Breakfast & Lunch with Santa at the Zoo (Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20)
Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd., (414) 256-5412
milwaukeezoo.org
Make your plans now to experience holiday cheer with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their merry elves at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Santa and Mrs. Claus will also have a special gift for each child. Maybe even join in the fun and merriment of Fred Turk, as he sings everyone’s favorite holiday carols.
Breakfast with Santa at The Hilton (Dec. 5, 12 and 19)
Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 271-7250
hiltonmilwaukee.com
Have a holly jolly breakfast with Santa and his elves in the decorated ballroom inside of the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. There'll be a gift for each child. You'll also have the opportunity to decorate a gingerbread house and watch a holiday movie. Make sure to bring your camera so you can have your kids prove to all the non-believers that he is real.
Breakfast with Santa at The Pfister Hotel (Dec. 5, 12 and 19)
The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 273-8222
thepfisterhotel.com
Breakfast with Santa has been a holiday tradition at The Pfister Hotel. Share some food and have a family-friendly good time with Santa and his elves in the decorated ballroom inside of the hotel as he tells classic holiday tales. You'll even be able get to peek into Santa's workshop! There'll be a gift for each child. Don't forget to bring a camera to capture the most festive moments. You could also stick around for storytime with Santa!
Breakfast with Santa at Watts (Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 24)
The Watts Tea Shop, 761 N. Jefferson St., (414) 290-5700
wattsteashop.com
Dress up in your festive holiday attire and bring the kids to have breakfast with Santa at The Watts Tea Shop. A breakfast with a surprise gift for every adult and child will be offered. Mrs. Claus will be there too to read "The Night Before Christmas" also, you'll be able to get a picture with Jolly Old Elf.
Breakfast with the Reindeer (Dec. 5)
Delafield Fish Hatchery grounds, 417 Main St., Delafield,
visitdelafield.org
Kids will love meeting Santa's amazing flying friends while enjoying a special treat of complimentary doughnut-holes, milk and hot cocoa. Kids will be able to meet real, live reindeer! Make sure to bring your camera for a photo with Santa.
Candy Cane Lane (open now till Dec. 27)
W. 96th St., E. 92nd St., N. Montana and S. Oklahoma, West Allis
(414) 955-5830
candycanelanewi.com
Be greeted by Santa as you ooo and ahh at over 300 homes who go all out on decorating the exterior of their homes for the holidays. A few blocks in West Allis wrap their tree trunks in candy cane paper and participate in this holiday tradition which has raised over 1.6 million for the MACC Fund due to donations. You are urged to drive carefully since this spectacle can be distracting. The blocks range from Montana Avenue on the north to Oklahoma Avenue on the south, and from 96th Street on the west, to 92nd Street on the east.
Christmas in the Ward (Dec. 4-5)
Catalano Square, 138 N. Broadway Ave., (414) 273-1173
historicthirdward.org
Enjoy fireworks, live reindeer, carriage rides and Santa to kick off a festive weekend. You can also get a picture taken with Santa at Jolly's Outdoor Gingerbread House!
Cocoa With The Clauses (Dec. 12)
Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., (414) 220-4700
milwaukeedowntown.com
Visiting from the North Pole, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be at Cathedral Square Park to take photos with children as well as hear their Christmas wish lists. Associated Bank will be offering free treats and hot cocoa, plus games and face painting. While you're in the holiday spirit don't forget to donate nonperishable food for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin at this free event.
Gingerbread House & Santa
Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., (877) 436-8738
harley-davidson.com
Bring the kids down to the Harley-Davidson Museum for a special MOTOR breakfast with Santa! Parents and children have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa on a Harley-Davidson and build their very own gingerbread house.
Jolly's Outdoor Gingerbread House (Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12)
Catalano Square, E. Menomonee & N. Broadway Streets, (414) 273-1173
historicthirdward.org
Take the kids to Catalano Square in the Third Ward. Each child will receive a cookie (hmm, cookies) and have the opportunity to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. They'll also be able to have their picture taken with Santa for a $5 donation with all the proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Theatre's "Santa's Mailbox" (open now through Dec. 13)
Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., (414) 220-4700
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
From now through Dec. 13, young Milwaukeeans now have a direct line to the North Pole. Drop your holiday wish lists in the Milwaukee Theatre's "Santa's Mailbox" at Cathedral Square Park, and you'll get a personalized letter straight from Santa (who probably writes the letters during his lunch hour at the local mall). No postage is required, but make sure to include a return address.
Robin Berk Handmade Santas Trunk Show at Watts (Dec. 5)
The Watts Tea Shop, 761 N. Jefferson St., (414) 290-5700
wattsteashop.com
Stop in to meet local artist Robin Berk and view her fabulous handmade, heirloom quality Santas! Each Santa has his own story and Watts will be featuring more than 20 unique designs. Have your purchase signed by the artist and find out about what inspired her to create these interesting pieces.
Santa at Brookfield Square (open now through Dec. 24)
Brookfield Square, 95 N. Moorland Rd., (262) 797-7245
shopbrookfieldsquaremall.com
Get a chance to have your picture taken with Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas at Brookfield Square.
Santa at Mayfair Mall (open now through Dec. 24)
Mayfair Mall, 2500 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 771-1300
mayfairmall.com
Have the kids take a picture with Santa before a nice day of shopping.
Santa at Southridge Mall (open now through 24)
Southridge Mall, 5300 S. 76th St., Greendale, (414) 421-1102
simon.com/mall/southridge-mall
Santa will be waiting to have his photo taken with good little children during the holiday season at Southridge.
Santa’s Playhouse (Dec. 5)
Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Rd., (262) 782-4430
sunsetplayhouse.com
Kick of your holiday season with a special day with Santa and his elves! Take a picture with Santa, make holiday crafts, sing Christmas carols and listen to holiday stories. Stay afterwards for a special performance of "Becoming Santa's Helper"!
The Salvation Army's Christmas Family Feast (Dec. 25)
Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 908-6001
wisconsincenter.org
From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County is presenting the annual Christmas Family Feast at the Wisconsin Center, an opportunity for every member of the community to enjoy a holiday dinner. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Santa will be bearing gifts for the guests while they last.
Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights (open now through Dec. 31)
8425 State Rd. 38, Caledonia, (262) 835-2565
wichristmascarnival.com
The Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights, which is deemed as Southeastern Wisconsin's largest and brightest holiday lights display, is located 20 minutes south of Milwaukee at Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Caledonia. The display stretches for more than a mile and more than a million sparkling lights aim to dazzle people of all ages.
You'll be able to relax in the comfort of your own car as you wind through, gazing at the hand-crafted displays. At the end, enjoy a warm beverage and get a picture taken with Santa or write him a letter to be sent to the North Pole. The Carnival will donate $1 per car, up to 4,000 cars, to the Ronald McDonald House.
