The Holidays are here! Hop in the car and check out the holiday lights around Milwaukee this holiday season. There are several Milwaukee Christmas lights events that are fun for the whole family. An added bonus is over half of them are FREE, which keeps more money in your wallet for Christmas shopping.
One of our favorite things to do in Milwaukee in December is checking out the holiday lights around the Milwaukee area. Here are the best Milwaukee Christmas light displays.f
1. Noel Milwaukee – New 2021
This year the first Milwaukee Christmas lights display we went to was Noel Milwaukee, and boy is it going to be hard to top it. If you are looking for an indoor Milwaukee holiday lights display Noel Milwaukee is going to be the best option.
Noel Milwaukee is an indoor Christmas lights display located at the Expo Center at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds. There are over 100,000 square feet that have been transformed into a winter wonderland. There is a cute little Christmas Market to with local vendors, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, go down the bounce house slide, listen to live entertainment and more. Our two-year-old loved it!
Make sure to bring your camera, they have one of the best Santa’s in Milwaukee if you ask us. Photos with Santa are free however donations are greatly appreciated.
Tickets are for timed entry, they encourage guests to visit during their time window HOWEVER your ticket will be valid during all hours of operation.
COVID – Masks are not required nor is showing a vaccination card
- Dates: November 27 – January 2, 2022
- Where: Exposition Center at the Wisconsin State Fair Park
- Address: 8200 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis
- Hours: Vary by day, pick a selected time when purchasing tickets.
- Cost: Varies by day and age from $12.50-22.99, Children 3 & Under Free, there is also a Family Pass good for 2 adults & 3 kids $45-50
- Parking – $10 a car- Enter off of 84th and Greenfield by Gate 4
2. The Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights
One of the most popular Milwaukee Christmas light displays is the Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights located in Caledonia at Jellystone Park Camp-Resort. It’s a drive-through Christmas light display that is over a mile long and features more than TWO MILLION holiday lights.
The Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights is Wisconsin’s biggest and brightest drive-through, they have over 2 million lights throughout the 1.6-mile path around the campground.
There are several ways to see this Milwaukee holiday light display: drive through in your own vehicle, Santa’s Sleigh Ride, or rent a golf cart. Click here for more details on Santa’s Sleigh Ride or renting a golf cart at the Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights.
The Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights is 20 minutes outside of Milwaukee, but worth the drive to see some of the best holiday lights in Milwaukee.
Visit Santa in his workshop for free while you are there. Feel free to take a photo of your own for a small donation. Photos are available to purchase for $10 for a 4×6 photo. Santa’s hours are Tuesday & Wednesday 6-8:30 pm and Friday & Saturday 5:30-9:30 pm until December 23rd.
- Dates: November 27th – January 1, 2022
- Where: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort
- Address: 8425 Hwy 38, Calendonia
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday 5-9pm, Friday & Saturday 5-11pm
- Cost: $30 car pass good for one carload up to 8 people, $45 larger passenger van, and $55 bus/camper/limo less than 30 feet long, $110 for one large bus 30 feet long or more, Santa Sleigh Ride $13 per person (children 2 and under free in lap), Golf Cart Holiday Train $65-80 good for 6-8 guests (max 4 adults)
- Buy tickets online here
3. Magic of Lights at American Family Field – New 2021
This drive-through Christmas lights display in Milwaukee is at American Family Field (formerly Miller Park). They have the parking lot decorating featuring several holiday scenes and characters both with lights and digital animations.
You must purchase tickets online, there are no ticket sales on-site.
- Dates: November 24th – January 2, 2022
- Where: American Family Field
- Address: 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee
- Hours: Daily 5-1opm
- Cost: $25-38 per carload, exact price varies on the day and if you purchase a ticket for a specific day or any day ticket
4. Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane in West Allis is the best free display of Christmas lights Milwaukee has to offer. A donation is recommended, all proceeds go to the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer). Candy Cane Lane has donated over $3 million dollars since it first started in 1984.
You can visit Candy Cane Lane in Milwaukee by driving through or walking through. If you are driving please remember this is a residential neighborhood, follow all traffic laws. Make sure to have your lights on, don’t block driveways, and please watch out for pedestrians.
Check out the calendar of events here. There are several nights Santa is visiting, special events, live music, and more.
Make sure to stop by the Official MACC Fund donation, which is located at the intersection of 95th and Manitoba.
- Dates: November 26th – December 26, 2021
- Where: 96th Street to 92nd Street and between Montana Ave and Oklahoma Ave in West Allis
- Hours: Daily 5-1opm
- Cost: FREE
5. Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo
Come see the Milwaukee County Zoo sparkle with millions of lights along a one-mile path. This Christmas light is a self-guided walk through the zoo with animal-themed decorations and holiday light displays.
Please note no animals will be out during the event, they will be sound asleep.
- Dates: December 1-5 8-12, 15-23, and 26-31
- Where: Milwaukee County Zoo
- Hours: 5:30-9:30pm
- Cost: $20 Adults, $18 children 3-12 years old, 2 and under Free. Purchase online for a $2 discount per ticket and Zoo members get an additional $2 discount
- Parking: Included with ticket purchase
- Buy tickets online here
6. Miller Valley Holiday Lites
This free drive-through Milwaukee Christmas light display is back again in 2021. The show runs every five minutes and you can park on the street and stay in your car to watch the light show. While watching the show, make sure to tune into FM 91.1 to hear holiday music that is synced to the holiday light show.
Please make sure to park between the A frame signs on State Street on either side and stay in your car.
- Dates: December 1 – December 25th
- Where: Miller Valley
- Hours: 6-10pm
- Cost: FREE
7. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
This is the 23rd year the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is lighting up downtown Milwaukee during the holidays. Feel free to drive through or take a walk and visit the holiday lights. There are over 500,000 Christmas lights throughout downtown Milwaukee’s parks and streets.
Before heading out to check out the lights stop by one of the best restaurants in Milwaukee to fuel up first.
- Dates: November 18 – January 1, 2022
- Where: Downtown Milwaukee Christmas Lights – Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park, Zeidler Union Square, and Wisconsin Avenue
- Cost: Free
- For More Details
8. Winter Wonders
Another great Christmas light Milwaukee drive-through display with the Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park. Each vehicle will also receive a free gift bag with gifts or coupons or both, the bag varies day by day based on the sponsor that day.
New this season is a live Santa that will be waving and talking to families over the radio. Make sure to tune into 88.5 FM as you are driving through.
- Dates: November 19 – January 2, 2022
- Where: Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park
- Location: 6751 S 92nd Street, Franklin
- Hours: 5-1opm
- Cost: $25 Carload, $35 skip the line early entry 4:30-5pm entry only, $50 limo up to 12 people, or $50 season pass valid for 4 visits
9. Winter Wonderland Display of Lights – Milwaukee Garden District
Another great free Milwaukee Christmas lights display is the Winter Wonderland display of lights in the Milwaukee Garden District. Try and make it out for the tree lighting ceremony on December 7th at 6 pm! Check out the lights by foot or from the comfort of your own vehicle.
- Dates: December 7 – January 6, 2022
- Where: 6th & Howard Ave, Milwaukee
- Hours: 5-1opm
- Cost: FREE
10. Candy Corners Lane – Brookfield
Located just outside of Milwaukee is the final best Milwaukee Christmas lights displays to check out this holiday season. Candy Corners Lane is located at The Corners of Brookfield.
While you do some holiday shopping enjoy the impressive holiday lights. It’s hard to miss the impressive Candy Cane arch, massive gingerbread house, and much much more there are over 4,000 feet of Christmas lights. Don’t forget to have the kids write a letter to Santa and drop it off at the North Pole mailbox!
- Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2021
- Where: The Corners of Brookfield
- Location: 20111 West Bluemound Road, Brookfield
- Cost: FREE
9 Other Milwaukee Christmas Light Displays Located 30-60 minutes away
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10. Lake Geneva Santa Cruise – Lake Geneva
One of the most unique Milwaukee Christmas lights events is located in Lake Geneva. Jump aboard the Santa Cruise in Lake Geneva for a 40-minute lake tour. The boat cruises to Santa’s hideaway. Along the way, you’ll be enchanted by holiday lighted displays. Before boarding meet Santa as he reads all the children’s names from the nice list aboard the cruise.
- Dates: November 26 – December 30, 2021, only on Wednesday-Sunday
- Where: Departs from Winter Harbor in Williams Bay
- Location: 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay
- Cruise Times:
- Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday – 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30
- Friday & Sunday – 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, and an 8:30pm adults-only cruise with live music
- Cost: Varies on date – Adults $20-28, Seniors 65+ $18-26, Children 4-17 years old $9-18, Children 3 and under FREE
- Buy Tickets Online Here
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11. Country Christmas at the Ingleside Hotel – Pewaukee
Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of Wisconsin’s largest outdoor drive through Christmas lights display! The Country Christmas Trail has over a million Christmas lights spread out along the one-mile trail. We really loved the 200-foot tunnel.
There is also a wagon ride option to visit County Christmas on select dates and times, click here for more info.
Included in your ticket purchase you can also visit Christmas Village and the Streets of Bethlehem.
There is also a great package deal that includes spending the night at Ingleside Hotel, Springs waterpark passes, and Country Christmas passes.
- Dates: November 26 – December 1, 2021and December 3 – January 1, 2022
- Where: Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee
- Location: 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee
- Hours: 5-9 pm
- Cost: $20 per carload Sunday-Thursday and $25 per carload Friday-Saturday and on holidays
- Buy Tickets Online Here
12. Lights on Glen Cove – Muskego
This light show in Muskego is at a private residence, super impressive if you ask us! The owner Mr. Stark decorates his house with over 35,000 lights that are synchronized to music that you can tune to on 87.9 FM
- Dates: 2021 dates TBD it is happening, watch their Facebook Page here for updates
- Location: s71 W16459 Glen Cove Ct, Muskego
- Hours: 5-9 pm Sunday -Thursday and Friday & Saturday 5-10 pm
- Cost: FREE but a bag of non-perishable food items or a $10 donation is suggested and will go to the Muskego Food Pantry
13. Wonderland of Lights at Racine Zoo – Racine
This Racine Christmas light display is another drive-through event you can enjoy from your warm car. It is rather simple, but the price is low so it isn’t a big deal in our opinion. If you have smaller children they are still amazed by all the lights.
- Dates: November 29 – January 2, 2021
- Where: Racine Zoo
- Location: 2131 N Main Street, Racine
- Hours: 6-9 pm
- Cost: $5 per person and ages 2 and under are FREE pay at the gate cash or credit card
14. Enchantment in the Park – West Bend
The best holiday lights even in Washington Country is worth the drive. You can visit this display either by driving through in your car walking or on a horse and carriage ride. On Friday and Saturday, you can see the lights from a horse and carriage ride, which is $5 for anyone 16 and older, children 15 and under are free.
- Dates: November 26 – December 24, 2021
- Where: Regner Park, West Bend
- Location: 800 N. Main Street, West Bend
- Hours: 5-9 pm
- Cost: FREE but a bag of non-perishable food items or a $10 donation is suggested
15. Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland – Grafton
Proceeds from the Christmas lights display go to providing new toys to children in need. This drive through display has millions of lights, three light tunnels, an ice skating rink, and much much more! Bring an unwrapped new toy to drop off at the end of the light show if you can!
- Dates: November 26 – December 30, 2021, only on Wednesday-Sunday
- Where: Herman A Zeunert Park
- Location: 1150 Cheyenne Ave, Grafton
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday 5-8 pm and Friday & Saturday 5-9 pm
- Cost: $20 weekdays and $25 Friday & Saturdays per vehicle for general admission and $50 per vehicle for VIP from of the line pass
16. Illuminate Ozaukee – Cedarburg
Visit this drive-through-only event in Cedarburg that raises money to support the Ozaukee Nonprofit Center, don’t forget to leave a donation. Make sure to tune your radio into 93.9 FM while driving through the holiday lights.
- Dates: November 26 – December 23, 2021, only on Thursday-Saturday
- Where: Herman A Zeunert Park
- Location: N25 W5598 Taft St, Cedarburg
- Hours: 5-8 pm
- Cost: FREE but a donation is suggested
17. Santa’s Workshop – Cedarburg
- Dates: November 19 – December 18, 2021, only on Fridays & Saturdays
- Where: Downtown Cedarburg
- Location: Along Washington Avenue
- Hours: 4-7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays 11 am-2 pm
- Cost: FREE but a donation is suggested (we suggest $10-15 per family)