Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are enjoying a great day with family, friends or local acquaintances! Whether you’re staying close to home or hosting family, here’s what’s happening around the city.
🗓 This Week in Milwaukee – November 27 to December 4
🎉 Events This Week
1. Milwaukee Turkey Trot – Veterans Park
📅 Thursday, November 27, 2025
📍 Veterans Park, Milwaukee
A Thanksgiving morning classic — run or walk the 5K or 8K along the lakefront. Post-race treats by Cranky Al’s.
🔗 Event Info: https://www.milwaukeeturkeytrot.net
2. Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
📅 Now through January 1, 2026
📍 Cathedral Square, Zeidler Union Square, Pere Marquette Park
Downtown parks glow with massive, themed installations.
3. Deer District Holiday Market – Family Day
📅 Friday, November 28, 2025
📍 Deer District, Downtown
Marketplace, kids activities, food vendors, and seasonal fun.
🔗 Schedule: https://www.deerdistrict.com/events
4. Pfister Hotel – Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
📅 Friday, November 28, 2025 — 5:00 p.m.
📍 The Pfister Hotel, Downtown
A classic Milwaukee holiday moment. Expect hot drinks, treats, and live entertainment.
🔗 Event Info: https://www.thepfisterhotel.com
5. Linneman’s Riverwest Inn – “MIMAMU Friendsgiving” Live Music Night
📅 Friday, November 28, 2025
📍 Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, Riverwest
A multi-band local lineup hosted by MIMAMU. Always a good night in Riverwest.
🔗 Event Calendar: https://linnemans.com/events/
6. Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo
📅 Through November 29, and returning December 3–31, 2025
📍 Milwaukee County Zoo
Giant lantern sculptures across the zoo grounds — one of the city’s biggest holiday attractions.
7. Comedy – “Two Cents Tuesday” Improv
📅 Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — 7:30 p.m.
📍 Milwaukee Improv (Brookfield)
Weekly improv show with rotating talent.
🔗 Calendar: https://improv.com/milwaukee/calendar/nov-2025/
8. Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll
📅 Saturday, November 29, 2025
📍 Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay
Shops, food tents, live music, activities for families.
🔗 Event: https://www.wfbbid.com
9. Live Music — Shank Hall & Area Venues
📅 Saturday, November 29, 2025
📍 Shank Hall + multiple venues
Several concerts citywide this night — check Songkick for the freshest list.
🔗 Milwaukee Live Music: https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/15405-us-milwaukee
10. Holiday Floral Show at The Domes: “12 Days of Christmas – A Playful Parody”
📅 November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
📍 Mitchell Park Domes
One of the prettiest indoor winter traditions in Milwaukee.
🔗 Event Details: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Experience/Events-Calendar
🔮Looking Ahead
Wild Lights (December Run) – Milwaukee County Zoo
🎄 Continues a multi-week run after November 29.
Holiday Lights Festival – Ongoing Through New Year’s
Early December Markets and Pop-Ups
Many neighborhoods have early-December craft markets and makers fairs.
🙌 Wrap-Up
There’s plenty happening this week no matter how you like to celebrate the holiday stretch. Whether you want lights, live music, or something low-key, Milwaukee has something waiting for you. Pick one event, grab a friend, and make the week brighter.
Thanks for exploring Milwaukee with me.
— Greg