Get ready for a festive holiday season in the greater Milwaukee area with a range of tree lighting ceremonies and holiday celebrations that are perfect for families. More events are being announced as the season approaches, so be sure to check back for more info as it arrives.
MILWAUKEE AND MILWAUKEE-AREA TREE LIGHTING EVENTS
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
- Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
- Time: Pre-show at 5:30 PM, lighting ceremony at 6:30 PM
- Location: Pere Marquette Park, Milwaukee
- Details: This family-friendly event features live music, dancing, and a visit from Santa, capped off with a spectacular fireworks display. The celebration also includes free Jingle Bus rides to tour Milwaukee’s festive holiday displays
Pfister Hotel Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Date: Friday, November 28
- Time: 5:00 PM
- Location: Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
- Details: A signature holiday tradition at the famous Pfister Hotel! Watch as the spectacular lobby tree lights up for the season while enjoying warm drinks and holiday treats. For more information, click here.
112th Annual Milwaukee City Christmas Tree Lighting
- Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Deer District, Milwaukee
- Details: Gather with loved ones to witness this iconic event featuring entertainment by local artists, holiday treats, and family-friendly activities. This event is free and open to the public. You can park for free in the Highland parking structure. Tree lighting takes place at 6 pm. WEBSITE
Holiday Town Tree Lighting at The Corners of Brookfield
- Date: November 22, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Location: The Corners of Brookfield, Brookfield
- Details: Come down to The Corners for an afternoon of holiday festivities! The center square will have fun activities, including carolers, live music with Ocean Rush, treats, hot cocoa, character visits, light displays, an appearance by Santa, Holiday Crafts, and more!✨ And NEW this year — a drone show bringing holiday magic to the sky! Don’t miss it!
Oak Creek Tree Lighting at Drexel Town Square
- Date: Friday, December 5th, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Location: Drexel Town Square, Oak Creek
- Details: The Oak Creek holiday tree lighting will see Drexel Town Square light up for the season. Attendees can enjoy the tree lighting at 6:30, kids’ activities, and live entertainment. Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus and enjoy holiday crafts and activities from Board & Brush and Events on the Go at the Oak Creek Civic Center!
A Cedarburg Christmas Tree Lighting
- Date: Monday, December 1st, 2025
- Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- Location: Cedarburg Community Center
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Details: The City of Cedarburg Christmas tree lighting event will be a joyful evening filled with Christmas music, carols, cookies, cider, and free make-and-take crafts provided by local businesses. Kids can also visit the Secret Santa Workshop and drop off letters to the North Pole at Santa’s Mailbox. At 7:00 p.m., Santa himself arrives to lead the official tree lighting.
Franklin Tree Lighting
- Date: TBD (Check back for updates!)
- Time: TBD
- Location: Franklin City Hall, Franklin
- Details: The Franklin Historical Society‘s open house combines with a tree lighting ceremony to start the holiday season while celebrating the history of the town.
Germantown Tree Lighting
- Date: November 15, 2025
- Time: 1:30 – 4:30 PM
- Theme: An 80’s Christmas
- Location: Firemen’s Park, W162 N11870 Park Ave., Germantown
- Details: The Village of Germantown’s tree lighting kicks off with a parade and then festivities in the park — pictures with Santa, costumed characters, cookies and chili for sale, and live holiday music. For more information, click here.
Grafton Tree Lighting
- Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: 1505 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
- Details: The Village of Grafton Tree Lighting event will have cocoa, treats and of course, the holiday tree lighting! For more information, visit here.
Greenfield Tree Lighting
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Location: Konkel Park, Greenfield
- Details: Celebrate the spirit of the season in the City of Greenfield with a tree lighting, music, kids games, entertainment and free horse-drawn sleigh rides. For more information, visit here.
Hartland Tree Lighting
- Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
- Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM
- Location: Outside the Village Center, 210 Cottonwood Ave., Hartland
- Details: For Hartland’s tree-lighting event, there will be a drone show, caroling by the tree, and more holiday festivities. For more information, visit here.
Mequon Tree Lighting
- Date: Sunday, December 7th
- Time: 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
- Location: City Hall, 11333 N. Cedarburg Road, Mequon
- Details: Enjoy cookie decorating, holiday craft making and an opportunity for people to make a card for those serving in the armed services. For more information, visit here.
Menomonee Falls Tree Lighting
- Date: Saturday, November 29th
- Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, tree lighting at 6:00 PM
- Location: Centennial Plaza N88 W16688 Main St., Menomonee Falls
- Details: The Menomonee Falls Christmas tree lighting will feature wagon rides, family-friendly entertainment and a visit with Santa. For more information, visit here.
Oconomowoc Tree Lighting
- Date: Saturday, December 6th
- Time: Tree lighting is 4:55 p.m. and the parade begins at 5 p.m.
- Location: 326 E. Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc
- Details: The City of Oconomowoc’s tree lighting will kick off the annual Christmas parade. People can bring donations for the food pantry and bring letters to Santa. For more information, visit here.
New Berlin Tree Lighting
- Date: Thursday, December 4th
- Time: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, tree lighting at 5:30 PM
- Location: New Berlin’s Activity & Recreation Center, 15321 W. National Ave., New Berlin
- Details: The tree lighting event in the City of New Berlin includes Santa story time, Christmas music and hot cocoa. For more information, visit here.
Thiensville Tree Lighting
- Date: Friday, December 5th
- Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
- Location: Walgreens parking lot, 278 N. Main St., Thiensville
- Details: A darling village tree lighting will include Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire truck, hot chocolate, carol singing and a coloring contest. For more information, visit here.
Waukesha Tree Lighting
- Date: Friday, December 5th, 2025
- Time: 5:30 to 7:00 PM
- Location: Rotunda (235 W. Broadway), Waukesha. Followed by caroling in Downtown Waukesha.
- Details: Waukesha’s tree lighting will kick off the city’s Night of Lights event. Enjoy 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. For more information, visit here.
Wauwatosa Tree Lighting
- Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM
- Location: Pocket Park (at Harwood and Wauwatosa avenues), Wauwatosa
- Details: The City of Wauwatosa’s tree lighting coincides with the grand opening of the Wauwatosa Holiday Market. For more information, visit here.
West Allis Tree Lighting
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Location: City Hall Centennial Plaza, West Allis
- Details: Celebrate the season with choral performances, hot beverages, and watch our largest Christmas Tree light up! For more information, visit here.
