December 1-2, 4, 8-11, 15-18, 21-24, 26-31, 2022
Admission: $29.99 (Children under 3 get in FREE with a paying adult)
Experience the timeless holiday tale on a majestic scale at the Wisconsin Center. Opening December 1, this joyful, 30-minute immersive experience features 500,000 cubic feet of projections set to the iconic, sweeping music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Be enchanted by magical special effects and photo ops, and even get up close with some of the characters, including a life-size nutcracker.
Pro tip: If you have a family of four, you can save $3 per person by ordering a family 4-pack of tickets.
The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle >>
Friday, December 2, 2022, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Make your way to Catalano Square for its annual tree lighting, live music, costumed characters, a fireworks show over the Milwaukee River, and more.
Visit with Santa Claus in Jolly’s Outdoor Gingerbread House (suggested $5 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities), and meet live reindeer with Mrs. Claus. Santa’s elves will be on hand to answer questions like “Do reindeer really fly?” and “Is Rudolph’s nose really red?”
Refreshments include festive fare from Historic Third Ward restaurants and food trucks, hot chocolate, and a cookie sale to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. Adults, don’t miss the “hot cocoa cocktails,” local brewery offerings, and — new for this year — mulled wine, courtesy of Cafe Benelux.
Saturday, December 3, 2022, 3-5 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Back for a third season, “Holidays on The Hop” features a new live music series on board Milwaukee’s streetcars. There will be holiday cookie giveaways, decorated streetcar stations, and a wrapped streetcar supporting the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County’s holiday fundraising efforts.
Taking place each Saturday through Dec. 17, the free event includes holiday-themed performances from local artists. This week’s featured performer is the Milwaukee Choristers.