Southeastern Wisconsin Holiday Parades & Tree Lighting Ceremonies 

The holidays in Southeastern Wisconsin aren’t just about twinkling lights and festive parades—they’re about community, tradition, and the neighborhoods we call home. From the glow of Christmas tree lighting ceremonies to the joy of parades marching down Main Street, these traditions show the strength and spirit of our neighborhoods.

Jefferson County

Fort Atkinson – Magic on the Polar Path
📍 Bike Path between Rotary Pavilion & Lions Park
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 4:00–6:30 PM
🎄 Lighted walk with Santa & Mrs. Claus, live animals, carolers, cookies, and cocoa; proceeds support holiday light expansion.

Fort Atkinson – Lighted Holiday Parade
📍 Downtown Fort Atkinson (Milwaukee & Main → Madison Ave)
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 4:30 PM
🎄 Evening parade with illuminated floats, local groups, and community spirit.

Jefferson – Holiday Parade of Lights (“Let Your Light Shine”)
📍 Downtown Jefferson
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 5:30 PM
🎄 Generac-sponsored 29th annual parade with themed floats and holiday music.

Johnson Creek – 9th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
📍 Veterans Park, 121 Lincoln St.
🗓 Sunday, November 30 | 3:00–5:00 PM
🎄 Santa & Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, cocoa, snacks, and community tree lighting at dusk.

Lake Mills – Tree Lighting
📍 Commons Park, 100 N Main St.
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 4:00 PM
🎄 Santa arrives on a fire truck to light Commons Park and launch the holiday weekend.

Kenosha County

Kenosha – “Lightin’ Up Downtown” Tree Lighting & Drone Show
📍 Veterans Memorial Park, 5220 6th Ave.
🗓 Friday, November 28 | 4:30 PM program start
🎄 Downtown Kenosha transforms with a synchronized drone light show, festive displays, and the city’s official tree lighting.

Somers – Kenosha County Tree Lighting (Petrifying Springs Park)
📍 Petrifying Springs Park, 5555 7th St.
🗓 Saturday, November 29 | 3:00–6:00 PM (Tree Lighting 5:00 PM)
🎄 Santa photos, live reindeer, nature crafts, food trucks, and the Biergarten; donations collected for local families in need.

Milwaukee County

Brown Deer Holiday Tree Lighting – Brown Deer
📍 Brown Deer Public Library, 4301 W Brown Deer Rd
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 6 PM
🎄 Cozy, community-focused event with hot chocolate, crafts, and a farmers’ pop-up market. Caroling and refreshments close the evening.

Franklin – Tree Lighting
📍 Franklin City Hall, 9229 W Loomis Rd
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 6:30
🎄 Choirs, cocoa, and Santa’s sleigh join residents for the countdown and illumination.

Greendale – Tree Lighting
📍 Downtown Greendale
🗓 Friday, November 28 | 6:00–8:00 PM
🎄 Caroling, cocoa, and a festive stroll through Broad Street’s decorated shops.

Greenfield – Tree Lighting
📍 Konkel Park, 5151 W Layton Ave
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 2:00–6:00 PM
🎄 Family event with games, sleigh rides, live entertainment, and the evening tree lighting.

Milwaukee Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting – Deer District
📍 Fiserv Forum Plaza, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee
🗓 Friday, November 21 | 5 PM (activities) | 6 PM (lighting)
🎄 112th Annual Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting featuring Santa, cocoa, and live performances. This kicks off the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival.

Milwaukee – Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff & City Tree Lighting
📍 Pere Marquette Park, 900 N Plankinton Ave
🗓 Thursday, November 20 | 5:30 PM
🎄 Fireworks, live music, cocoa, and Santa flipping the switch to illuminate downtown.

Pfister Hotel Tree Lighting – Milwaukee
📍 424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
🗓 Friday, November 28 | 5:30 – 6:30 PM
🎄 Iconic Milwaukee tradition featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus, and musical performances in the hotel’s historic lobby.

Milwaukee (Third Ward) – Christmas in the Ward
📍 Catalano Square
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 5:30–8:30 PM
🎄 Fireworks, reindeer, live music, and Santa lighting the neighborhood tree.

Oak Creek – Light the Square
📍 Drexel Town Square
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 5:00–8:00 PM
🎄 Family celebration with Santa, treats, and community tree lighting.

Shorewood – Winterfest (Tree & Menorah Lighting)
📍 Wood Square, Oakland & Wood Pl.
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 3:30–6:30 PM; Lighting 5:45 PM
🎄 Santa travels via vintage sleigh to multiple stops, culminating in the tree and menorah lighting with dancing, cookies, and community cheer.

South Milwaukee – Christmas at the Commons (Standstill Parade & Tree Lighting)
📍 Bucyrus Commons, 1028 Milwaukee Ave.
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 3:00–5:00 PM; Lighting 5:00 PM
🎄 Walk-through “standstill parade,” Santa, live music, food vendors, and the community tree lighting.

Wauwatosa – Village Tree Lighting & Cookie Trail
📍 Pocket Park & Root Common, Wauwatosa Ave & Harwood
🗓 Wednesday, December 3 | 3:30 –7:00 PM (Lighting 5:30 PM)
🎄 Cookie Trail walk, McKinley Elementary choir, and Santa’s fire-truck arrival.

West Allis – Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade
📍 City Hall Centennial Plaza & Downtown West Allis
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | Tree Lighting 4:00 PM • Parade 4:45 PM
🎄 Evening parade featuring marching bands, floats, and Santa, preceded by choral performances and cocoa at City Hall.

Whitefish Bay – Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting
📍 Silver Spring Dr → Consaul Commons
🗓 Friday, November 28 | 6:00 PM
🎄 Parade along Silver Spring followed by Santa’s arrival and lighting at Consaul Commons.

Ozaukee County

Belgium – European Christmas Parade & Festivities
📍 Community Park → Village Square, 104 Peter Thein Ave
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 4:30 PM
🎄 European-style parade with Santa’s arrival and festivities downtown.

Cedarburg – Christmas Tree Lighting
📍 Cedarburg Community Center
🗓 Monday, December 1 | 5:30–7:30 PM (Lighting 7:00 PM)
🎄 Carols, cookies, cider, crafts, and Santa leading the official tree lighting.

Fredonia – Tree Lighting Ceremony
📍 Freedom Park
🗓 Sunday, November 30 | 6:00 PM
🎄 Hot cocoa, carols, and photos with Santa.

Grafton – Christmas Parade (“Shaking Up the Holidays in Grafton!”)
📍 6th & Washington → 9th & Wisconsin
🗓 Saturday, November 29 | 11:00 AM
🎄 100+ parade entries, marching bands, and award-winning floats.

Mequon – Tree Lighting
📍 Mequon City Hall, 11333 N Cedarburg Rd
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 3:30–5:30 PM
🎄 Santa’s arrival, live music, and holiday refreshments.

Port Washington – Christmas on the Corner
📍 Downtown Port Washington
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | Festivities 2–5 PM • Lighting 5 PM • Parade 5:15 PM • Fireworks 6 PM
🎄 Carriage rides, reindeer, crafts, cocoa, s’mores, Santa, and Ozaukee County’s only December fireworks.

Saukville – Tree Lighting
📍 Veterans Park, 639 E Green Bay Ave
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 5:00 PM
🎄 Santa’s arrival and holiday caroling.

Thiensville – Tree Lighting
📍 Walgreens Parking Lot, 278 N Main St
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 6:00 PM
🎄 Fire truck escort for Santa and a community countdown to light the tree.

Racine County

Burlington – Christmas Parade, Cookie Walk & Tree Lighting
📍 Downtown Burlington → Wehmhoff Square Park, 355 N Pine St
🗓 Friday, December 5 | Cookie Walk 4:00 PM • Parade 6:30–7:30 PM • Tree Lighting after parade
🎄 43rd Annual “Brrrlington’s Christmas Parade” with theme “Holiday Movies: Lights, Camera, Christmas!”

Rochester – Tree Lighting
📍 Pioneer Park Gazebo
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 6:00 PM
🎄 Caroling, cocoa, and community tree lighting with Santa.

Sturtevant – Community Tree Lighting Social
📍 Sturtevant Village Hall, 2801 89th St
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | Evening
🎄 Free family activities, treats, Elf on a Shelf, and Santa visits.

Union Grove – Tree Lighting (Christmas Comes to Union Grove)
📍 Union Grove Town Square
🗓 Thursday, December 4 | 5:30 PM
🎄 Hot chocolate, Santa meet-and-greet, and the official community lighting.

Waterford – 27th Annual Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Fireworks (“Merry & Bright”)
📍 Trailside Elementary → Main St → 1st St, ending past St. Thomas Aquinas Church
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | Parade 6:00 PM • Tree Lighting & Fireworks immediately after
🎄 Parade with lit floats and marching groups, tree lighting at Ten Club Park, and fireworks over Whitford Park.

Walworth County

Delavan – Tree Lighting & Parade Around the Park
📍 Tower Park
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 6:00 PM
🎄 Parade loops through Tower Park, followed by community lighting and holiday performances.

East Troy – Christmas Train Parade
📍 Downtown East Troy
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 5:00 PM Train Arrives around 6:25 PM
🎄 Santa arrives by train and leads the lighting of the Bob Barutha Memorial Tree.

East Troy – Santa on the Square / Tree Lighting
📍 Village Square
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 5:00–8:00 PM
🎄 An interactive synchronized light show to music throughout the season.

Elkhorn Annual Tree Lighting – Elkhorn
📍 Downtown Elkhorn (The Square)
🗓 Friday, December 5, 2025 | 5:00 PM (Caroling 5:15 PM | Santa arrives 5:30 PM)
🎄 Local youth choirs on the square; Santa arrives by horse-drawn carriage to kick off the season. Follow Santa to the Elkhorn Garage for visits 6:00–7:30 PM.

Elkhorn Christmas Card Town Parade – Elkhorn
📍 Downtown Elkhorn (Parade through the square)
🗓 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 1:30 PM
🎄 Beloved daytime parade celebrating Elkhorn’s “Christmas Card Town” tradition with festive floats, community groups, and Santa’s welcome to town.

Lake Geneva – Tree Lighting
📍 Flat Iron Park & Downtown Lake Geneva
🗓 Friday, November 28 | Tree Lighting 6:00 PM
🎄 Santa lights the lakefront tree.

Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade – Lake Geneva
📍 Downtown Lake Geneva (steps off at Williams St & Marshall St; proceeds via Williams St → Broad St → Main St)
🗓 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 5:00 PM
🎄 50th annual celebration featuring light-filled floats and festive displays.

Whitewater – Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting
📍 Downtown Whitewater → Cravath Lakefront Park
🗓 Friday, December 5 | Parade 6:00 PM • Tree Lighting immediately after
🎄 Lighted parade ending at Cravath Lakefront Park for the community tree lighting and park illumination.

Washington County

Germantown – Christmas Festival Parade & Christmas in the Park (“’80s Christmas”)
📍 Pilgrim Rd & Sylvan Cir → Fond du Lac Ave → Main St → Park Ave → Firemen’s Park
🗓 Saturday, November 15 | Parade 1:30 PM • Park Activities 2:00–4:45 PM • Tree Lighting ~4:30 PM
🎄 ’80s-themed parade followed by photos with Santa, Wienermobile, live music, and community tree lighting.

Hartford – Tree Lighting
📍 Rotary Park
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 6:00–8:00 PM
🎄 Carriage rides, Santa visits, toy & food drives, live music, and hot food; a free community celebration.

Jackson – Tree Lighting
📍 Jackson Municipal Complex
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 5:30 PM
🎄 Annual village lighting with carols and family fun.

Kewaskum – 37th Annual Christmas Parade (“Christmas in Whoville”)
📍 Downtown Kewaskum
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 5:00 PM
🎄 Parade with lighted floats and this year’s theme, Christmas in Whoville; cookie hunt earlier in the day.

West Bend – Christmas Parade (Ringing in the Holiday Season)
📍 Downtown West Bend
🗓 Sunday, November 30 | 5:00 PM
🎄 Evening parade featuring bands, community floats, and Santa’s grand entrance.

Waukesha County

Brookfield (City) – German Holiday Market & Tree Lighting
📍 City Hall, 2000 N Calhoun Rd
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | Market 11:00 AM–6:00 PM • Tree Lighting 6:00 PM
🎄 Outdoor German market with vendors, live music, and the city’s official lighting.

Brookfield (Town) – Holiday Town Tree Lighting Celebration
📍 The Corners of Brookfield
🗓 Saturday, November 22 | 4:00–6:00 PM
🎄 Family activities, live entertainment, and the Town’s holiday lighting ceremony.

Delafield – Tree Lighting
📍 Downtown Delafield
🗓 Thursday, November 20 | 5:00–6:00 PM
🎄 Mayor-led ceremony with cocoa and caroling downtown.

Hartland – Lights
📍 Village Hall & Square
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 6:00–8:30 PM
🎄 Santa visits, music, and downtown holiday festivities.

Lannon – Tree Lighting
📍 Village Hall, 20399 W Main St
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 6:00 PM
🎄 Chili, caroling, and Santa photos.

Menomonee Falls – Christmas Tree Lighting & Market
📍 Centennial Plaza, Downtown
🗓 Saturday, November 29 | Market 10:00 AM–7:00 PM • Tree Lighting 6:00 PM
🎄 Daylong market and entertainment followed by evening lighting.

Menomonee Falls – Christmas Parade (Optimist Club)
📍 Harrison & Main → Appleton Ave → Arthur Dr
🗓 Sunday, November 30 | 4:30 PM–5:30 PM
🎄 Community parade with floats, bands, and Santa closing the route.

Mukwonago – Midnight Magic
📍 Downtown Mukwonago
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | All-Day
🎄 Festival with craft fair, parade, tree lighting, fireworks, and village-wide events.

Muskego – Christmas Parade
📍 Pioneer Dr & Janesville Rd
🗓 Saturday, December 13 | 4:00 PM
🎄 Parade staging north of Pop’s Pub; festive floats, community groups, and Santa.

North Lake – Community Tree Lighting
📍 Old North Lake Fire Station (west of North Lake School)
🗓 Friday, December 5 | Evening
🎄 Santa photos, letters to the North Pole, cocoa, cookies, music, and ornament making; non-perishable food drive.

Oconomowoc – Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade
📍 Downtown Roundabout & Wisconsin Ave
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | Tree Lighting 4:30 PM • Parade 5:00 PM
🎄 The mayor’s countdown and illuminated parade through downtown.

Pewaukee – Christmas Tree Lighting
📍 Clark House Museum, 206 E Wisconsin Ave
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 2:00–5:00 PM (Lighting 5:00 PM)
🎄 Cookies, cocoa, music, and visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus; no parade.

Waukesha – Night of Lights (Lantern Stroll & Tree Lighting)
📍 The Rotunda → Riverfront Plaza
🗓 Friday, December 5 | 5:30–7:00 PM
🎄 Tree lighting with Santa and cocoa, followed by a lantern stroll and Walk of Lights illumination.

Waukesha – Christmas Parade (“JINGLE | BELL | ROCK!”)
📍 Downtown Waukesha
🗓 Sunday, December 7 | 4:00 PM
🎄 Community parade with decorated floats and a pre-parade lantern walk honoring those lost in 2021.

Homes For The Holidays

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Event details are provided to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change by organizers. If we missed one of your favorite parades or tree lighting ceremonies—or if you notice an update—please let The Hupke Team know so we can keep this guide accurate and complete for our community.