As the winter season is upon us, many people begin to feel trapped inside with nothing to do. Looking for ways to embrace the holiday season? Here is a list of a couple of events and activities that are worth attending!

Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park – 

Located in Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee, is a family-friendly ice skating rink. For younger children, there are options for a skater aid rental for $1; otherwise, all rentals are free. Next to the rink is a Starbucks where people can buy warm drinks and get comfortable by the fireplace. This is a great place for families if they are looking for a fun environment for their children or a group of friends who want to explore local cuisines in Milwaukee. 

Jingle Bus – 

Jingle Bus Tours will start November 18th and continue until December 30th. This tour will give people the opportunity to explore and visit the holiday decorations scattered around downtown Milwaukee. The tour costs $5 per person and consists of a 40-minute narrated tour around three different parks in Milwaukee. This includes Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square, and Pere Marquette Park. Before the ride or after the ride, people are given the option to visit the Warming House. This location offers free treats and fun activities for children and adults, some of which include cornhole, shuffleboard, Jenga, and more. If considering taking part in this event, it’s important to consider that pre-booking is mandatory for all Jingle Bus rides and all tickets should be purchased online. 

Festival of Trees –

Festival of Trees is a fun family event where people can walk through and view fully-decorated Christmas trees. These trees are donated by businesses and organizations in the community; such as Summerfest and Stein’s Garden Center. This event takes place from November 19th-26th in the Tripoli Shrine Center in Milwaukee. There will be a 50/50 raffle, a Christmas tree raffle, and a Santa visit in which children will have the opportunity to tell Santa their Christmas wishes following the holiday season!

Milwaukee Turkey Trot – 

The 8th Annual Milwaukee Turkey Trot on November 24th, is a 5K or an 8K run/walk along Milwaukee’s lakefront. Cranky Al’s donuts will be served after the race, along with a runner’s choice between a quarter-zip pullover or a long-sleeve shirt. This run is a charity event for The Hunger Task Force which works to prevent hunger. It is a non-profit, public policy organization established in 1974 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Hunger Task Force works to provide food to people in need by collecting and delivering food for school meal programs, grocery stores, and other businesses and organizations.

Annual Tree Lighting – 

Santa will officially be lighting the Christmas tree and uplifting the holiday spirit, on Friday, November 25th in the lobby at the Pfister Hotel. Guests that attend this event will be provided with holiday treats and warm, delicious drinks. The Hunger Task Force will also be on-site to collect non-perishable items from people that attend the event which goes hand and hand with the spirit of giving during the holiday season! This event will continue through December and end on January 7th. 

Ice Skating & Other Activities at the City Center Plaza – 

Looking for a local place to ice skate? Located at the City Center Plaza is New Berlin’s very own synthetic ice skating rink. This rink will be open to the public from 9 AM to 9 PM. The ice skating rink is also a very family-friendly environment for children of any age. Other events at the City Center Plaza include Tree Lighting on December 5th and Winter Fest on January 7th. The Tree Lightning is open to the public and includes activities like writing letters to Santa, ice skating, and listening to Christmas music. Winter Fest is a family-fun event that hosts activities such as ice skating, telling fireside stories, and making crafts.

Mason Street Grill Christmas – 

On December 25th, there will be private dining available for family gatherings at Mason Street Grill. This service provides people with Christmas specials and American food favorites on Christmas day. Along with this, Mason Street Grill also assembles many other events for the holidays.