In 2026, the Christmas parade near Milwaukee is Dec 5. West Allis Christmas Parade is Dec 5 and is free to watch. This page lists eight parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates. Each one links to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Lighting festival · Nightly2DecWedWauwatosa Village Tree LightingTree lighting · Starts at 5 p.m.4DecFriChristmas in the Ward Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–8 p.m.4DecFriWaukesha Night of LightsTree lighting · 5:30–7 p.m.5DecSatWest Allis Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · 4–4:45 p.m.5DecSatWest Allis Christmas Parade
Parade · 4:45 p.m.5DecSatGreenfield Holiday Tree LightingTree lighting · 2–6 p.m.5DecSatBrookfield German Holiday Market & Tree LightingTree lighting · Market 11 a.m.–6 p.m.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Greenfield Ave. from 81st St. to 70th St. · West Allis
Good to know: A nighttime parade that starts at the State Fair Park entrance on 81st Street and heads east on Greenfield. Santa rides at the very end.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Downtown Milwaukee parks and streets · Downtown Milwaukee, WI
Good to know: 500,000+ bulbs; Santa’s Celebration Square at Zeidler Union Square; Jingle Bus.
The Village of Wauwatosa · Wauwatosa
Catalano Square, Historic Third Ward · Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee
Good to know: Santa lights the neighborhood tree. Last year also had live reindeer, costumed characters and s’mores; the 2026 program is posted in November.
The Rotunda, 235 W. Broadway · Waukesha
Good to know: Families carry lanterns from the Rotunda down to the river, where the riverfront lights come on.
City Hall Centennial Plaza, 7525 W. Greenfield Ave. · West Allis
Good to know: Local choirs sing and there are hot drinks while the tree comes on. Stay put, because the parade follows right after.
Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave. · Greenfield
Good to know: An afternoon in the park that ends with the tree lighting. It lands on the same day as West Allis, so you could catch both.
City Hall Clock Tower · Brookfield
Good to know: Santa visits from 3:30 to 5:30, and there are wagon rides and a storybook walk before the tree is lit.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Milwaukee
Keep planning
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More things to do with kids in Milwaukee this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
West Allis Christmas Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4:45 p.m. (West Allis).
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival at Downtown Milwaukee parks and streets: Thu, Nov 19, 2026, Nightly. Wauwatosa Village Tree Lighting at The Village of Wauwatosa: Wed, Dec 2, 2026, Starts at 5 p.m. Christmas in the Ward Tree Lighting at Catalano Square, Historic Third Ward: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5–8 p.m. Waukesha Night of Lights at The Rotunda, 235 W. Broadway: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5:30–7 p.m. The full list is on the tree lighting page.
Five of the eight we list are free to watch: Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, Waukesha Night of Lights, West Allis Christmas Tree Lighting and West Allis Christmas Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Greenfield Holiday Tree Lighting and Brookfield German Holiday Market & Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
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