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The bar at The Jazz Estate
A slower, cozier week with a big finish.
The days between Christmas and New Year’s have their own rhythm in Milwaukee. Neighborhood bars feel like living rooms, music rooms ease back open, and the city quietly builds toward a loud, joyful sendoff on Wednesday night. With some extra coverage this week this guide leans relaxed early, then ramps up for New Year’s Eve.
Thursday — December 25 (Christmas Day)
(Most regular events don’t run; Milwaukee Art Museum is closed per holiday rules.)
Christmas Night Movie Screenings @ Marcus Theatres, evening
A classic Milwaukee tradition for those ready to get out of the house after dinner. https://www.marcustheatres.comWild Lights @ Milwaukee County Zoo (ongoing) — Outdoor holiday lights nightly through Dec 31; great Christmas evening stroll.
https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/The Salvation Army’s Christmas Family Feast @ Baird Center — 11:00 AM–2:30 PM
A warm, no-questions-asked community meal downtown — good option if you want something human and grounding on a day that can feel… a lot.
https://bairdcenter.com/event/the-salvation-armys-christmas-family-feast/Christmas @ O’Lydia’s @ O’Lydia’s Bar & Grill — 11:00 AM–2:00 AM (Walker’s Point)
If you’re skipping the couch coma, O’Lydia’s is open long and late — pull up with friends, watch a game, claim a booth, let the night happen. O’Lydia’s also runs shuttles to the upcoming Trans Siberian Orchestra show! https://olydias.com/milwaukee-walkers-point-o-lydia-s-bar-and-grill-eventsMilwaukee Holiday Lights Festival @ Downtown Parks — 5:30 PM (Downtown)
Bundle up and do a slow loop through the glow — downtown parks lit up and doing their best to keep our winter spirits from flatlining.
Cathedral Square
Pere Marquette Park
Zeidler Union Square
https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Experience/Events-CalendarHoliday Open Hours at Neighborhood Bars, various times
Several Milwaukee staples quietly open later in the day for low-key drinks and familiar faces. Expect limited hours and a regular-heavy crowd.
(Most listings posted day-of on venue social pages.)
Friday — December 26
Frosty Free Week @ Milwaukee County Zoo — 9:30 AM–2:30 PM (Washington Heights-ish)
Free daytime admission kicks off — go say hi to the animals and pretend you’re not thinking about your inbox.
https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/frosty-free-week/Vince Carone @ Milwaukee Improv — 7:00 PM (Brookfield)
Post-holiday laugh reset. If your family group chat is already spicy, this is the antidote.
https://improv.com/milwaukee/calendar/dec-2025/Harlem Globetrotters 100years! - Fiserv Forum (Downtown)
Entertaining as always, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th year in 2026!
https://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/806223?venueId=57843Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival @ Downtown Parks — 5:30 PM (Downtown)
Same move as yesterday, different vibe: fewer obligations, more wandering. Hot drink strongly encouraged.
https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Experience/Events-CalendarLive Music @ Bremen Café, evening
Post-holiday local bands in a classic Riverwest dive setting.
(Bremen typically posts exact bills closer to show day.)
https://www.bremencafe.comThe Nutcracker @ Uihlein Hall, evening
One of the final chances to catch Milwaukee Ballet’s holiday classic.
https://www.milwaukeeballet.org
Saturday — December 27
Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Fiserv Forum, evening
Big holiday rock spectacle with lights, lasers, and full arena energy.
https://www.fiservforum.com/eventsFrosty Free Week @ Milwaukee County Zoo — 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (Washington Heights-ish)
Weekend hours (longer) — good for families, good for date day, good for anyone who needs daylight.
https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/frosty-free-week/Jackie Kashian @ Milwaukee Improv — 6:30 PM (Brookfield)
Smart, sharp standup that doesn’t feel like a “corporate fun night.” Go laugh like you mean it.
https://www.livenation.com/event/rZ7HnEZ1AfQ80K/jackie-kashianWinter Wubz: Miramar Holiday Party @ Miramar Theatre — 8:00 PM–2:00 AM (East Side)
Bass, ugly sweaters, BOGO rails 8–11, free Lisa’s Pizza — this is the kind of chaotic seasonal joy Milwaukee does extremely well. URL: https://themiramartheatre.com/event/winter-wubz/
Spann + Estremera Quartet at The Jazz Estate (East Side) — 7pm and 9:30pm
Led by upcoming artists Cameron Spann (drums) and Tael Estremera (piano), this group brings a fresh and dynamic approach to Jazz music.
https://www.estatemke.com/eventsDJ Night @ Sabbatic, late evening
Dark bar, vinyl-heavy atmosphere, and a steady late-night crowd.
(No direct event page. Sabbatic typically posts via Instagram and Facebook.)
Sunday — December 28
Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off @ Fiserv Forum, afternoon and evening
College hockey brings high-energy winter crowds downtown. Also on the 29th!
https://www.fiservforum.com/eventsKohl’s Design It! Lab Open @ Discovery World — 9:00 AM–3:30 PM (Lakefront)
Low-stakes, hands-on creativity (and indoors). Great “get the kids out / get yourself out” option.
https://discoveryworld.org/calendar-of-events/Kwanzaafest @ America’s Black Holocaust Museum — 12:00 PM–5:00 PM (Bronzeville)
Culture, vendors, poetry, community — a genuinely good way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the city. URL: https://www.abhmuseum.org/events/kwanzaafest-at-abhm/
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Monday — December 29
Nature Ambassadors @ Schlitz Audubon — 12:00 PM–3:00 PM (Fox Point)
Fresh air + animal ambassadors = the calmest possible reset before the week ramps back up.
https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/calendar/Frosty Free Week @ Milwaukee County Zoo — 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (Washington Heights-ish)
If you missed Saturday, this is your second chance — same free admission, same good excuse to move around. URL: https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/frosty-free-week/Poet’s Monday @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Milwaukee’s longest-running poetry open mic. Sign-up at 7:00 PM. Featured reader typically around 8:30 PM.
https://linnemans.comLow-Key Game Night @ Local Breweries, evening
Many taprooms run casual board game or bring-your-own-game nights during the holiday lull.
(Exact listings vary by location.)
Tuesday — December 30
Frosty Free Week @ Milwaukee County Zoo — 9:30 AM–2:30 PM (Washington Heights-ish)
Last day — if you’ve been saying “we should go,” this is the moment. URL: https://milwaukeezoo.org/visit/upcoming-events/frosty-free-week/Two Cents Tuesday @ Milwaukee Improv — 7:30 PM (Brookfield)
Open-mic-style variety night — cheap laughs, surprise moments, and a good “Tuesday doesn’t have to be dead” argument. URL: https://improv.com/milwaukee/calendar/dec-2025/Live Music or DJ Night @ Cactus Club, evening
The Cactus Club often programs strong local or touring acts during the end-of-year stretch.
https://cactusclubmilwaukee.comQuiet Drinks Night @ Sugar Maple, evening
A calm night before the NYE rush with well-made cocktails and a neighborhood crowd.
https://sugarmaplebar.com
Wednesday — December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
Vinyl Vibes with Lilliput Records @ Indeed Brewing Company — 2:00 PM–11:00 PM (Walker’s Point)
Start NYE earlier with something warm and analog — records, beer, and a softer landing before midnight gets feral.
https://indeedbrewing.com/milwaukee/Big Jay Oakerson @ Milwaukee Improv — 7:00 PM and 10PM (Brookfield)
If you want NYE laughs instead of shouting over a DJ, this is a clean move. You can still do the midnight thing after, or just ride the laughs into 2026
https://improv.com/milwaukee/calendar/dec-2025/Mad Planet New Year’s Eve @ Mad Planet — (Riverwest)
Classic Mad Planet NYE energy — sweaty dancefloor, big feelings, the whole thing.
https://mad-planet.net/event/nye-2025/
GATHER THEM: A New Year’s Eve Party @ The Cooperage — 9:00 PM–1:00 AM (Harbor District)
Live music, DJs, champagne countdown, and riverfront views. Bring an open heart and your dancing shoes because Gather Them is a celebration of pride and a demonstration of queer joy.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gather-them-nye-tickets-1968507014471
https://www.cooperagemke.comNew Year’s Eve @ The Rave and Eagles Club, evening
Multiple rooms, DJs, and live music options under one roof.
https://www.therave.comNeighborhood Bar Countdowns, midnight
From Riverwest to Bay View, many corner bars host no-frills countdowns with jukeboxes, shots, and hugs at midnight.
Looking Ahead
Gallery Night MKE, January 16th and 17th
Downtown, East Town and Walker’s Point (and other neighborhoods) galleries are open with fresh shows. Enjoy art while visiting Milwaukee’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
https://www.gallerynightmke.comWinterfest Season Events, early January
Outdoor skating, winter markets, and cold-weather festivals begin ramping up citywide.Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival — through January 1, 2026 (Downtown). https://city.milwaukee.gov/holidays
The Ornament Trail — on display November 20, 2025–January 18, 2026 (Downtown + nearby neighborhoods).
https://city.milwaukee.gov/holidaysDiscovery World Holiday Break Hours — December 26, 2025–January 4, 2026 (Lakefront).
https://discoveryworld.org/calendar-of-events/Surf Club Vol 3: I ♥ 00’s Party — January 3, 2026 (East Side).
Come with us as we celebrate Nuave Hurts birthday with this 3rd edition of the Surf Club! Early 2000’s themed fashion is suggested not required!
https://themiramartheatre.com/
Featured Venue Of The Week
Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee Zoo Lights / Wild Lights is one of the city’s most beloved winter traditionals — a huge walk‑through holiday light spectacle that runs nightly through December 31, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of lights transform the zoo’s paths, animal habitats, and structures into a magical evening experience for all ages. It’s perfect for friends, families, or a date night — and you can enjoy seasonal snacks and bonfires while you’re there.
Whether you’re catching lights at the zoo, laughing at a comedy show, or heading into the New Year with friends, there’s local flavor and festivity all week. Bundle up and make the most of what Milwaukee has to offer.
Milwaukee’s glowing — go enjoy it. — Greg
Forward this to someone figuring out their holiday week.
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