City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style. In the air there’s a feeling of the holidays!
There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays in Downtown Waukesha! Whether you’re looking to take a cozy carriage ride through Downtown, meet Santa and his reindeer, shop locally for presents or raise your festive spirit with holiday lights, Waukesha has what you’re seeking.
November
Winter Farmers’ Markets | Starts November 2, 2024
Chef Pam’s Kitchen and Martha Merrell’s Books will be hosting Winter Farmers’ Markets throughout the winter. Visit Martha Merrell’s Books every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from November 2, 2024, to March 29, 2025, or Chef Pam’s Kitchen every other Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from November 2, 2024, to April 19, 2025.
Holly Jolly Cutouts for Photos | November 25 – December 31, 2024
Several holiday cut-outs are placed throughout downtown for a holiday photo-op “day or night”. Take photos with friends and family for a special way to remember the 2024 holiday season!
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/photos-with-cutouts/
Letters to Santa | Late November – December 15, 2024
Do you want to write your own letter to Santa and hear back from him? There are four magical
mailboxes available through December 15th… You can find them at: Realty Executives Southeast, Steaming Cup, Burlap & Lace Marketplace, Jest for Fun Joke Shop, Mary Jane’s, and GBF Bespoke Balloons & Event Services!
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/letters-to-santa/
Small Business Saturday | November 30, 2024
Shop Small is a nationwide movement to celebrate small businesses on Small Business Saturday and every day and to help communities thrive and stay vibrant. Instead of ordering another item from an online store, come out and shop local, help your neighborhood businesses and support our Waukesha community!
Photos with Santa Claus | November 30, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Santa’s been busy in his workshop, but he’s making time to visit all his friends at 805 Clinton Street. He’s bringing his jolly laugh, twinkling eyes, and lots of holiday cheer to share with you!
December
Winter Farmers’ Markets | Starts November 2, 2024
Chef Pam’s Kitchen and Martha Merrell’s Books will be hosting Winter Farmers’ Markets throughout the winter. Visit Martha Merrell’s Books every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from November 2, 2024, to March 29, 2025, or Chef Pam’s Kitchen every other Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from November 2, 2024, to April 19, 2025.
Holly Jolly Cutouts for Photos | November 25 – December 31, 2024
Several holiday cut-outs are placed throughout downtown for a holiday photo-op “day or night”. Take photos with friends and family for a special way to remember the 2024 holiday season!
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/photos-with-cutouts/
Letters to Santa | Late November – December 15, 2024
Do you want to write your own letter to Santa and hear back from him? There are four magical
mailboxes available through December 15th… You can find them at: Realty Executives Southeast, Steaming Cup, Burlap & Lace Marketplace, Jest for Fun Joke Shop, Mary Jane’s, and GBF Bespoke Balloons & Event Services!
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/letters-to-santa/
Waukesha Night of Lights | December 6, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Please join the Waukesha Downtown Business Association, the City of Waukesha Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Waukesha, and the City of Waukesha in kicking off the holiday season with our tree lighting, lantern stroll through Downtown Waukesha, & Walk of Lights illumination ceremony at Riverfront Plaza.
Additional Details:
https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/night-of-lights.php
Waukesha Walk of Lights | December 6, 2024 – January 26, 2025
This year the City of Waukesha is once again spreading holiday cheer with lights! Come down to the Riverwalk throughout the holiday season and see Riverfront Plaza, Gazebo, Love Bridge, Bryant Bridge, and Friedman Alley lit up with holiday cheer!
Additional Details:
https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/walk-of-lights.php
Eras Senior Network’s Santa Run/Walk | December 7, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The annual fun (1.6 mile) run/walk celebrates older adults in our communities and is a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season! Participants are encouraged to dress to impress—think Santa costumes, ugly sweaters, and jingle bells—to add to the celebration!
Additional Details:
https://raceroster.com/events/2024/93263/eras-senior-networks-santa-runwalk
133rd Art Crawl: Jolly Days Art Crawl | December 7, 2024, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Explore around Downtown’s many art exhibitions at the 133rd Waukesha Art Crawl!
Additional Details:
https://waukeshaart.com/
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides | December 7, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Take a magical carriage ride through Downtown Waukesha. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at Realty Executives Southeast, located at 431 W Main Street, where you board the carriage.
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/horse-drawn-carriage-rides/
Photos with Santa Claus | December 7, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Santa’s been busy in his workshop, but he’s making time to visit all his friends at 805 Clinton Street. He’s bringing his jolly laugh, twinkling eyes, and lots of holiday cheer to share with you!
Holiday Movie Showing: The Polar Express | December 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Join us for an enchanting evening filled with holiday cheer! Start the festivities at 5:00 p.m. by making a unique craft to take home, then enjoy a delightful encounter with Santa Claus and one of his reindeer. Enjoy tasty snacks as you soak up the holiday spirit. Then, at 6:00 p.m., get cozy with a blanket or chair and settle in for a screening of the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends—don’t miss out on this festive experience!
Additional Details:
https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/holiday-movie-showing-the-polar-express.php
Cookies with Santa & Mrs. Claus | December 8, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Come have cookies with Santa AND Mrs. Clause at Chef Pam’s Kitchen. There is no fee for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus so feel free to use your phone or camera for individual or family portraits. Bonus: No waiting in line; relax at a table, decorate some cookies, and color until your number is called.
Additional Details:
https://www.chefpamskitchen.com/waukesha/upcoming-classes
Waukesha Christmas Parade | December 8, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Downtown Waukesha comes alive with enchantment and merriment during its annual Christmas parade, a beloved tradition that brings the community together in the spirit of the season. Join us in Downtown Waukesha for the 61st Annual Christmas Parade!
Additional Details:
https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/waukesha-christmas-parade.php
Joel Kopischke’s I Got Yule, Babe | December 11 & 12, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
The funniest Christmas music ever! With parodies and originals in a wide variety of styles, from Polka to Punk, Big Band to Blues, Country to Klezmer, and maybe some other alliterative pairs too.
Additional Details:
https://www.waukeshacivictheatre.org/production/joel-kopischkes-i-got-yule-babe/
Ugly Sweater Saturday | December 14, 2024
Explore Downtown Waukesha in your finest ugly sweater and find specials all day and night!
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides | December 14, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Take a magical carriage ride through Downtown Waukesha. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at Realty Executives Southeast, located at 431 W Main Street, where you board the carriage.
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/horse-drawn-carriage-rides/
Photos with Santa Claus | December 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Santa’s been busy in his workshop, but he’s making time to visit all his friends at 805 Clinton Street. He’s bringing his jolly laugh, twinkling eyes, and lots of holiday cheer to share with you!
Live Reindeer in Downtown | December 14, 2024, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Have your holiday photo taken with the live reindeer in the People’s Park parking lot on the corner of Main Street and Clinton Street.
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/live-reindeer/
The Golden Girls Holiday Special | December 18 & 19, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Make your way to Miami and settle into Shady Pines Retirement Home with Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia for a holiday special at the Waukesha Civic Theatre.
Additional Details:
https://www.waukeshacivictheatre.org/production/goldengirlsholidayspecialpursestringproductions/
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides | December 21, 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Take a magical carriage ride through Downtown Waukesha. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at Realty Executives Southeast, located at 431 W Main Street, where you board the carriage.
Additional Details:
https://waukeshadba.com/horse-drawn-carriage-rides/
Photos with Santa Claus | December 21, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Santa’s been busy in his workshop, but he’s making time to visit all his friends at 805 Clinton Street. He’s bringing his jolly laugh, twinkling eyes, and lots of holiday cheer to share with you!
January
JanBoree | January 17-28, 2025
Come for the fireworks, laser light show, beer gardens, ice sculptures, snow sculptures, ice skating, Glow Walk, Penguin Egg Hunt, and so much more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
View the complete list of events at http://www.janboree.org/
Waukesha Walk of Lights | Now – January 28, 2025
This year the City of Waukesha is once again spreading holiday cheer with lights! Come down to the Riverwalk throughout the holiday season and see Riverfront Plaza, Gazebo, Love Bridge, Bryant Bridge and Friedman Alley lit up with holiday cheer!
Additional Details:
https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/walk-of-lights.php
There are so many more things happening in Downtown Waukesha! Visit our event calendar for the full list of things going on Downtown. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see what things are going on Downtown! Finally, sign up for our monthly email newsletter to get notified about upcoming events, promotions, and more!
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