Santa Claus has landed safely in Milwaukee!
We’re keeping track of all the best stops he’s making around Southeastern Wisconsin.
Here’s a running list of the places you can meet Santa this year:
1. Cocoa with the Clauses (Free!)
Sat, December 9, 2023 | 11am to 2pm Cathedral Square Park
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Santa and Mrs. Claus return for this annual cocoa klatch. The free outdoor event is a chance for kids to share their wish lists and for moms and dads to grab a keepsake photo.
Elves and other holiday characters will also be there! Plus, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa sponsored by Taste of Home will be provided.
2. Santa’s Christmas Calvalcade (Free!)
Sat, December 2, 2023 | Departs at 5pm
Fri, December 8, 2023 | Departs at 5pm
Downtown Milwaukee
milwaukeeholidaylights.com
Wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus on the festive route riding atop a vintage fire truck. Sarah Fierek will also be on board singing jazzy holiday tunes.
On Dec. 2, the Cavalcade will feature a Black Santa.
The route departs from the Milwaukee Public Market and travels throughout downtown.
3. Father Christmas at the Pabst Mansion
With his lantern, walking stick and red cloak with white trim, a whimsical Father Christmas travels south to visit the Pabst Mansion each Sunday during the holiday season.
Create magical memories with holiday treats, letters to Santa, and room after room of enchanting Christmas displays.
4. Breakfast with Santa at the Pfister
December 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 2023
Back by popular demand, the Pfister Breakfast with Santa is a holiday tradition that creates lifelong memories. Guests have the opportunity to share a jolly breakfast collection with Santa and his elves in The Pfister’s festive ballroom.
They will have chefs in the room griddling up chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes with all the trimmings, along with everyone’s traditional buffet favorites.
In addition to photos with Santa, which are highly encouraged, every child will receive a special gift and will be able to make crafts while composing a handwritten letter to Santa. Smaller seating groups for each date will ensure that everyone has an exceptional experience.
Reservations required with full pre-payment by credit card. Reservations are refundable if canceled 72 hours prior to the event.
5. Breakfast (and Supper!) with Santa at Saint Kate
Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
December 16 & 17, 22 & 23
Start a new holiday tradition at Saint Kate’s “Brunch With Santa” and create lifelong memories! Guests will have the opportunity to experience a plentiful brunch in Saint Kate’s festive ballroom and visit with the jolly man himself.
There will be chefs in the room griddling up waffles with all the trimmings, along with traditional buffet favorites.
Supper with Santa
Sat, December 16 | 6pm to 7:30pm
Experience a magnificent dinner in Saint Kate’s festive ballroom, topped off with a visit from the jolly man himself!
In addition to the opportunity to take photos with Santa, every child will receive a special gift, and will be able to make crafts and write their own letter to Santa.
6. Brunch With Santa at Little Sprouts Play Café
Shorewood: 4606 N. Wilson Dr., Shorewood, WI 53211
Mequon: 1406 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, WI 53092
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Santa Claus is coming to…brunch! Little Sprouts is adding one more way to celebrate with Santa this year. Come enjoy open play, a brunch buffet, mimosas, coffee and Santa! He is also bringing a small gift for each child over 12 months. Parents are welcome to take their own photos of their kids with Santa.
This 90 minute playdate will include a brunch buffet including an array of brunch food, mimosas and coffee. There will also be plenty of time for open play and visiting with Santa. He will arrive sometime in the middle of the event and stay as long as needed to ensure all who want to chat and take pictures with him are able to do so.
For a little added magic, your child can hand deliver Santa a list or letter. Have your child give it directly to Santa and they can discuss the contents during their visit. Santa will also be handing each child a small sack filled with some holiday goodies.
Advanced registration required. Tickets are non-refundable.
7. Natty Oaks Santa Chalet
11505 W. National Ave., West Allis, WI 53227
Beginning November 27th, 2023
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Natty Oaks offers three cozy, clear-view Santa Chalets, so your family can have a fun, unique holiday experience. Each outdoor chalet seats up to six adults and features an adorable mini fireplace to keep everyone warm, even on a snowy night. Eat fresh popcorn and warm up with a complimentary carafe of hot cocoa or hot cider.
During your one-hour visit, you will get a special personalized visit from Santa! He will visit with your family for 15 minutes, providing the perfect opportunity to take photos and ask questions about the North Pole. An elf will be on hand to take photos for you (using your camera).
You can also catch the big guy himself as he’s walking through 12,000 square feet of Christmas lights displays around the property.
8. MOTOR Bar & Restaurant
Harley-Davidson Museum, 401 W. Canal St., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Sunday, December 3, 10, & 17, 2023
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Rev up your holiday spirit and bring the kids to the Harley-Davidson Museum® for a special MOTOR breakfast with Santa.
In this annual tradition, parents and children have the opportunity to snap a photo with Santa on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.
Space for the event is limited and reservations are required. Call (414) 287-2778 to make a reservation.
9. Sprecher Brewery
701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, WI 53209
Nov. 20, 27; Dec. 4, 11, 2022 (tours at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.)
Admission: Adults $12, Minors $8
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Soda with Santa is a time-honored tradition and a fun, family-friendly event at Sprecher Brewery! On Sundays during the holiday season, you can get your photo taken with Santa, then go on a brewery tour with craft beer samples for the adults and unlimited soda samples for everyone.
You can start getting samples after check-in, so you can enjoy beer or soda while you wait for your picture.
While you’re on the tour, Sprecher uses your Santa picture to create a custom label (choose from two designs. Then they put that label on as many 12-packs of 16 oz. Root Beer bottles as you choose to purchase (12 bottle minimum; $2.25 per bottle).
10. Cabela’s
1 Cabela Way, Richfield, WI 53076
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Santa’s Wonderland continues at Cabela’s this year, so you can get some of your holiday shopping done and get a FREE 4×6 studio-quality photo of your kid with Santa at the same time! Additional photo packages available for purchase and instant in-store printing. Advance reservations are recommended.
During your visit, families can mail their letter to Santa and receive free giveaways while supplies last. Families can also enjoy the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays found in every Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store.
11. Mayfair Mall
Pre-booking your Santa Magic photo experience at Mayfair Mall is highly encouraged, and you’ll even receive a free phone call from St. Nick when you book online. Walk-up visits are available as space permits.
On December 4 (9-10 a.m.), children and families with special needs can visit Santa in a sensory-friendly environment with an inclusive atmosphere. Reservations are required for this private photo experience. Donations will be collected on behalf of Autism Speaks.
Bring your favorite fur friends to visit Santa on Pet Nights: Nov. 21, Nov. 28, and Dec. 5 (4-7 p.m.). Donations will be collected on behalf of The Humane Society of the United States.
12. Southridge Mall
5300 S. 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129
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Head to Center Court in Southridge Mall to welcome Santa and take photos with him. Don’t miss the family train that rides around the mall!
13. Brookfield Square Mall
95 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005
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All kids and kids-at-heart can meet and greet Santa at Center Court.
14. Santa’s Workshop in Cedarburg
Downtown Cedarburg
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Each year, a charming 15×15-foot gingerbread house graces Cedarburg’s Washington Avenue for the entire Christmas season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by Santa’s Workshop on select days from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23. Kids are encouraged to drop off letters to Santa.
15. Cruisin’ Santa Claus (Greenfield)
Dec. 11-14, 2023
Beginning nightly at 6 p.m.
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Back by popular demand, Santa will be cruisin’ through Greenfield neighborhoods with Mrs. Claus and some friends.
Actual routes will be posted on the City of Greenfield website once they have been finalized. The Santa Tracker will also be available each evening, so you can see in real time where parade is located on the route.
16. Very Merry Milwaukee (Milwaukee County Historical Society)
Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 10:30am-1pm
MCHS: 910 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
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Join for a favorite family event at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. See their holiday display, take a picture with Santa, make an ornament, and write a letter to Santa, Rudolph, and friends.
Cookies, brownies, and hot chocolate will be for sale in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen. Museum admission is complimentary. Photos with Santa are $10 each or two for $15.
17. Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Hwy 67, Eagle, WI 53119
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During Home for the Holidays at Old World Wisconsin, you can listen to traditional holiday brass carols, sip a hot cup of cider or wassail, and enjoy some holiday shopping. But keep a watchful eye out for the Krampus! If you’ve been nice, make sure to stop by Santa’s workshop to say hello and take the perfect family photo.
Stroll through Crossroads Village, decked in holiday greenery, full of festive stories and merry memories. Explore a rich mosaic of ethnic traditions and discover how they continue to be part of our modern celebrations.
18. North Point Lighthouse
2650 N. Wahl Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
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Santa is making a stop at the North Point Lighthouse Museum in Lake Park, and you can have your picture taken with him in his maritime workshop. Regular admission rates apply.
More Brunch With Santa Options:
Brunch With Santa at the Ingleside Hotel
Brunch With Santa at the Milwaukee Public Market
Brunch With Santa at Cafe Hollander
TBD for 2023
Barrel Yard Taproom at American Family Field
Don’t Miss: Santa’s Mailboxes
Downtown has a magical connection to the North Pole right in Cathedral Square Park.
From November 7 through December 17, drop your child’s letter and wish list into Santa’s Mailbox to receive a personalized reply from the big guy himself!
No postage is required; just remember to include a return address.
Here are 10 Santa’s Mailboxes around Milwaukee.
Do you know where Santa will be this year? Email us the information at hello@mkewithkids.com.
There’s more!
Experience Gift Ideas
Holiday Light Displays
Santa’s Mailboxes
Magical Holiday Experiences
Local Toy Stores
Sleigh Rides
101 Best Things to do in Milwaukee With Kids
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids”, a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids.
She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s ‘Real Milwaukee’, B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
