Here are 17 Fun Things to Do in Waukesha County this December to get you out of the house and into the Christmas spirit!
- Parades
- Holiday Train Stops
- Concerts & Musicals
- Light Displays
- Meals & Photos with Santa
- Live Nativity Scenes
- and more!
PARADE EVENTS
Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade
Kick off December with a parade, a famous chili dinner, and a visit with Santa Claus in Menomonee Falls, WI!
DATE: Saturday, December 1, 2024
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Menomonee Falls
COST: Free
For more information about this parade, click here!
Oconomowoc Christmas Parade “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
Relish in the holiday cheer and abundant Christmas lights during the “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” parade presented by Oconomowoc Kiwanis!
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2024
TIME: Parade is at 5:00 PM, City Tree Lighting is at 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Oconomowoc
COST: Free
For more information about this parade, click here!
Mukwonago’s Midnight Magic Parade & More
Kick off the holiday season with a Christmas parade, indoor market, live reindeer, tree lighting, pictures with Santa, fireworks, home decorating contest, gingerbread house contest, and more at Mukwonago Midnight Magic!
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2024
TIME: Parade starts at 3:00 PM, other events 9 AM – Midnight
LOCATION: Downtown Mukwonago
COST: Free
For more information about this event, click here!
Waukesha Christmas Parade ‘Home for Christmas‘
For 60 years, the Waukesha Christmas Parade has brought together local civic groups, businesses, schools, public services, and entertainers each year to kick off the holiday season for thousands of spectators!
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 2024
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Waukesha
COST: Free
For more information about this parade, click here! (or click here for the Facebook event)
MUSICAL & THEATRICAL EVENTS
Oconomowoc’s CPKC Holiday Train Stop
Everyone’s favorite holiday train is stopping in Oconomowoc! Talented musicians play free concerts from the holiday train’s stage during its tour of Canada and the United States, to spread holiday cheer while collecting donations for those in need.
DATE: Sunday, December 4, 2024
TIME: 6:40 PM Train Arrival; Show 6:45 – 7:15 PM
LOCATION: Silver Lake Steet Crossing, Oconomowoc, WI
COST: Donation requested of cash or non-perishable food items for the Oconomowoc Food Pantry
To learn more about this event, click here!
Elmbrook Church Christmas with Chris Tomlin
Savor a memorable Christmas worship experience with Chris Tomlin at Elmbrook Church.
DATE: Friday, December 13, 2024
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM
LOCATION: Elmbrook Church- Brookfield, WI
COST: It appears these tickets are now SOLD OUT
To learn more about this event, click here!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical JV in New Berlin
Head to New Berlin for a heartwarming show for the holidays. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. See what happens when they crash Sunday school in this funny and touching holiday musical.
DATE: December 6-8, 2024
TIME: Friday & Saturday – 7:00 PM; Sunday – 2:00 PM
LOCATION: New Berlin Eisenhower High School – New Berlin, WI
COST: $10 – $15 per ticket
To learn more about this event, click here!
The Nutcracker in Oconomowoc
See MainStage Academy of Dance perform Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, at the Oconomowoc Arts Center!
DATE: December 6-8, 2024
TIME: Friday – 7:00 PM; Saturday – 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM; Sunday – 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Oconomowoc Arts Center, Oconomowoc, WI
COST: $28 for Adults, $24 for Youth (5 to 19), $14 Child (4 and younger)
To learn more about this event, click here!
LIGHT DISPLAYS
Waukesha’s Country Christmas
Enjoy the magic of over one million lights at Wisconsin’s longest-standing drive-through Christmas light display from your vehicle! You can also visit the Streets of Bethlehem and view a neat train display inside Christmas Village.
DATE: November 29 – December 3, 2024 and December 5, 2024 – January 1, 2025
TIME: Sunday-Thursday 5:00 – 9:00 PM || Friday & Saturday 5:00 – 10:00 PM
LOCATION: The Ingleside Hotel – 2810 Golf Rd, Pewaukee, WI
COST: Carload Pricing is $25+
To learn more about this event, click here!
EAT WITH SANTA & HIS REINDEER
Delafield Breakfast with Reindeer
Bring your camera to snap a photo with Santa, his reindeer, and maybe even an elf! Decorate cookies and enjoy breakfast-to-go at this year’s Breakfast with Reindeer, which is put on by the Delafield Chamber of Commerce.
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2024
TIME: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Delafield Fish Hatchery – 417 Main St, Delafield, WI
COST: $80 for a Limited Fast Pass Ticket good for a Family of up to 5 people. It also enters you into the $10,000 drawing!
To learn more about this event, click here!
Waukesha’s Brunch with Santa
Enjoy a delicious buffet of pancakes, omelets, chicken parmesan, and desserts! Following your meal, take pictures with Santa, do some arts and crafts, decorate cookies, and more!
DATE: Sunday, December 15, 2024
TIME: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Ingleside Hotel – 2810 Golf Rd, Pewaukee, WI
COST: $22 for Children; $40 for Adults
To learn more about this event, click here!
MORE FUN EVENTS
Santa & His Reindeer Arrival Celebration in Hartland
Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeer will be at LC Pets 4th annual Santa and His Reindeer Arrival Celebration! In addition to family photo opportunities, there will be free face painting, hot cocoa, balloon creations, hot mini donuts, hair tinsel, and more!
DATE: Friday, December 6, 2024
TIME: 5:30 – 8:30 PM
LOCATION: LC Pets, LLC – 540 Hartbrook Dr. Hartland, WI
COST: Free (collecting non-perishable food items and there are optional paid activities/items)
To learn more about this event, click here!
Holiday Greet at the Wildlife in Need Center in Oconomowoc
Bring your animal lovers to the Wildlife in Need Center to meet some of the Educational Ambassadors. You can meet them, hear how they became ambassadors, and learn more about their species! In addition to getting up close with the animals, you can shop for unique Christmas gifts and pick up some yummy goodies at the bake sale!
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2024
TIME: 10:00 – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Wildlife in Need Center – W349S1480 Waterville Rd. Oconomowoc, WI
COST: Suggested $2/person donation
To learn more about this event, click here!
Waukesha’s Miniature Motors Toy Show
Zoom over to watch model car racing and memorabilia show featuring model cars, kits, promos, slot cars, diecast, tin toys, and collectibles. While not as festive as the other events, this show could be a fun day for those who love things on wheels!
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 2024
TIME: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Waukesha County Expo Center – Waukesha, WI
COST: $2 for Children; $7 for Adults
To learn more about this event, click here!
Pewaukee’s Luminary Hike & Live Nativity
Immerse yourself on your “Journey to Find Baby Jesus” along a one-mile woodchip-covered trail lit by 2,500 luminaries. Interact with shepherds, angels, wise men, animals, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus on your jaunt to hear the story of Christmas! This adventure takes about 40 minutes and is outside (dress for the weather).
There is also a NEW Bethlehem Marketplace to shop for unique gifts this year!
DATES: December 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2024
TIME: 5:00 – 7:00 PM (choose a ticket for your specific arrival time)
LOCATION: DaySpring Church – Pewaukee, WI
COST: $10/person, FREE for kids 10 & under
To learn more about this event, click here!
Christmas Caroling Parade on Horseback in Eagle
Ride a horse or join in by walking to spread some Christmas cheer in the village of Eagle, WI!
DATES: Sunday, December 15, 2024
TIME: Gather at 11:00 AM and hit the road by 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Eagle Village Park – Eagle, WI
COST: Free
To learn more about this event, click here!
Waukesha’s Planetarium Shows
Enjoy a unique show in the Horwitz DeRemer Planetarium dome! Some of the upcoming shows are:
- George and Oatmeal Save Santa
- Season of Light
- Our Place in Space
- One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
- Krumka’s Adventure in the Winter Forest
- Let it Snow
- Mystery of the Christmas Star
DATE: Many options Dec 1 – 30, 2023
TIME: Most shows are 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium in Retzer Nature Center – Waukesha, WI
COST: $5
To learn more about this event, click here!
More Holiday Fun
Check out 15 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Jefferson County this December too!
Wisconsin Real Estate Tips
Save This List of Fun Waukesha County Events in December for Later
We hope you enjoyed this list of fun festive things to do around Waukesha County, WI in December!
Save this list and pass it on to a friend. The more the merrier!
Shine on!🎄✨
This blog was originally published in November 2023. It was updated and re-published November 2024.