# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Milwaukee, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 8 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/christmas-parades/
- Christmas break (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/christmas-break/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/llms.txt

## Christmas parades

- **West Allis Christmas Parade** at Greenfield Ave. from 81st St. to 70th St., West Allis. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 4:45 p.m. Price: Free to watch. 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. Official page: https://www.westalliswi.gov/page/west-allis-christmas-parade (checked 2026-10-31)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival** at Downtown Milwaukee parks and streets, Downtown Milwaukee, WI. When: Thu, Nov 19, 2026. Time: Nightly. Price: Free. 500,000+ bulbs; Santa’s Celebration Square at Zeidler Union Square; Jingle Bus. Official page: https://www.milwaukeedowntown.com/signature-events/milwaukee-holiday-lights-festival/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Wauwatosa Village Tree Lighting** at The Village of Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa. When: Wed, Dec 2, 2026. Time: Starts at 5 p.m. Price: Not listed. Official page: https://www.wauwatosavillage.org/wauwatosa-village-tree-lighting (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Christmas in the Ward Tree Lighting** at Catalano Square, Historic Third Ward, Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 5–8 p.m. Price: Not listed. Santa lights the neighborhood tree. Last year also had live reindeer, costumed characters and s’mores; the 2026 program is posted in November. Official page: https://www.historicthirdward.org/christmas-in-the-ward (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Waukesha Night of Lights** at The Rotunda, 235 W. Broadway, Waukesha. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 5:30–7 p.m. Price: Free. Families carry lanterns from the Rotunda down to the river, where the riverfront lights come on. Official page: https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/night-of-lights.php (checked 2026-10-31)
- **West Allis Christmas Tree Lighting** at City Hall Centennial Plaza, 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 4–4:45 p.m. Price: Free. Local choirs sing and there are hot drinks while the tree comes on. Stay put, because the parade follows right after. Official page: https://www.westalliswi.gov/page/west-allis-christmas-parade (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Greenfield Holiday Tree Lighting** at Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 2–6 p.m. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/1353/Holiday-Tree-Lighting (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Brookfield German Holiday Market & Tree Lighting** at City Hall Clock Tower, Brookfield. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Market 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; tree lit at 6. Price: Not listed. Santa visits from 3:30 to 5:30, and there are wagon rides and a storybook walk before the tree is lit. Official page: https://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/1131/German-Holiday-Market-Tree-Lighting (checked 2026-10-31)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Holiday Folk Fair International](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/events/holiday-folk-fair-international-exposition-center-wisconsin-state/): next dates Nov 20, 21 and 22, 2026
- [Wauwatosa Village Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/events/wauwatosa-village-tree-lighting/): next dates Dec 2, 2026
- [Christmas in the Ward Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/events/christmas-in-the-ward-tree-lighting-catalano-square/): next dates Dec 4, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Milwaukee in 2026?
West Allis Christmas Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4:45 p.m. (West Allis).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Milwaukee?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/milwaukee/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Milwaukee free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).