It’s that time of year again when the streets of downtown Milwaukee get filled with lights, trees and decorative Christmas ornaments.

But what other options are there to see around downtown during this time of year? I took to the internet and asked.

Here is what the people had to say about the top 3 choices, in no particular order.

Mitchell Park Domes

The Domes are a great place to escape the frigid cold temperatures of Wisconsin, and they offer three different types of environments to visit.

As normal, there are the tropical and desert domes, but the third dome changes into a lovely Christmas snow globe.

When you walk in, you are welcomed by a lovely 80 degrees and a scene from a Hallmark movie. As you walk around, you find yourself looking at the 12 days of Christmas.

I personally loved the 10 Lords of Leaping. To learn more about visiting the Domes, click here. The Holiday arrangement at the Domes is going on until Jan. 4.

  • A look at a decrative lamp post with a white gazebo in the background.
    An inside look at the Holiday display dome. Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A decorative Christmas tree with poinsettia.
    Poinsettias are the main plant used during Christmas. As a tropical plant, they love warmer weather. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A decorative Christmas tree with an old style lamp post, decorated with red bows and ornaments.
    Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A closer look of the decorative Christmas tree. Using red and white ornaments to decorate the tree.
    Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A white gazebo, decraeted with white lights. on the right side, a decorttive old style lamp post.
    Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A pond, with seven geese swimming, and a small walk bridge decorated with green garland and red bows.
    Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A pond, with seven geese swimming, and a small walk bridge decorated with green garland and red bows.
    Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • over view of the holiday dome. White gazebo, decorated with green garland and white lights, with red and pink poinsettias surround the gazebo.
    Mitchell Park Domes Holiday display. Photo: Mitch Utlaut

Milwaukee County Zoo “Wild Lights”

Additionally, another favorite amongst people was the Wild Lights at the county zoo. As someone who frequents the zoo, the light walk through was new to me.

The light displays weave around the circular path and lead you through the apes, night animals, elephants and back to the front.

I recommend checking the weather and dressing warmly when visiting.

Warm beverages are available for purchase throughout the path to help keep you warm, and some fire pits are going along the path to help you stay warm, too.

These lights and decorations will be out until Dec. 31, and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • A sign saying "greetings from the Milwaukee county zoo" surround by red light.
    Milwaukee County Zoo “wild lights”. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • With white snow flakes lights guiding the way. People stay under the lights, near fire pits, to warm up.
    People gathering around the fire pits to warm up on the chilly nights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • Tunnel lights with colorful lights.
    Many of the tunnels are synced up to the music playing to either dance or create different designs.
  • blue and purple lights are hung to outline the trees. At the base of each tree, there are two trees. are bulbs looking lights.
    Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • People are gathering around the fire pits to warm up. There are white lights hanging around the area.
    Another fire pit section along the walk path at wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • multi colored strand of lights, hanging from the trees over the walk way.
    Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a light display with monkey looking lights swinging across the path.
    Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a light display looking like a rattle snake.
    Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • light display with a pink and white flamingos.
    Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • light display with a pink and white flamingos. This photo show a closer views of the display.
    Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • Milwaukee county zoo wild lights. Photo: Mitch Utlaut

Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Public Museum

The holiday history comes to life at the Public Museum. As you walk through the European Villages and into old Milwaukee, the streets are decorated for the season.

On Saturdays, there is a guided tour called “History of the Holidays”. This tour explores the diverse cultural backgrounds and their impact on the holiday season in Milwaukee.

The event is going on until Jan. 25. Some facts included:

  • In Norway, having a wreath on your door tells your community that a loved one has passed.
  • In Ireland, this is where the mistletoe came from, but with a different twist. One would pluck a berry to get a kiss, not stand under it.
  • The Christmas Tree is from England, with Queen Victoria being photographed with said tree, but this custom came from Germany, probably from the Queen’s husband, who originally came from Germany. Also, trees were hung from the ceiling to help save space in the tiny homes/huts people lived in.

Milwaukee Public Museum is moving into a new building, but that’s not happening fully until 2027.

The “Streets of Milwaukee” won’t be identical, as the exact display isn’t moving to the new building, because everything is being built into the walls of the current building.

  • A Christmas tree decorated in a home display.
    Inside look of European village homes at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a women mannequin next to a decorative Christmas tree.
    Holiday on the old street of Milwaukee and Europe. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a man mannequin is sitting at a table with a decorative Christmas tree behind him.
    Holiday on the old street of Milwaukee and Europe. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • an upside down Christmas tree hanging from the ceiling.
    Hanging in the European villages, is a Christmas tree. Trees were hung upside down to save space in the tiny homes of the time. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a look at buildings being decorated for christmas
    The streets of old Milwaukee. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • people standing in the old street of Milwaukee section at the Milwaukee public museum. the section is decorated for Christmas.
    The street of old Milwaukee. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a movie theater ticket booth with a green Christmas wreath with a red bow. next to it is a green pole with green garland going down it.
    The movie theater on the streets of old Milwaukee. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a White House with a porch decorated with garland going across it. The garland is decorated with red stringed beads and small red bows.
    Grandma’s house, she has moved inside for the winter. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a model of the pfister hotel. Red door with lights around the top and greens garland. This is a head on view of the door.
    A model of the Pfister hotel. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • a model of the pfister hotel. Red door with lights around the top and greens garland. This is a side view of the door. There are people looking into the windows, seeing the other displays.
    Holiday on the old street of Milwaukee and Europe. Photo: Mitch Utlaut
  • A decorative lamp post with green garland going down. it has red bows on the top of the lamp. to the right is a white pole with a green Christmas wreath on it. the wreath has a big red bow tied to it.
    Holiday on the old street of Milwaukee and Europe. Photo: Mitch Utlaut

There are still MANY more

There are still MANY more to do during the holiday season in and around downtown Milwaukee.

Between the Christmas markets, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings and many more, there is simply not enough room to write about them all.

May this holiday season be an easy one for you all, and may the New Year treat you well.

a picture from the US Cellular drone show. its say, in red "Happy" and in green "Holidays"
Drone light show by Lake Michigan. Photo: Mitch Utlaut