Alvin M. Keeling 
We’ve made it easy for you to create new memories this winter with our list of family events. (NNS file photo by Kelly Meyerhofer)
It’s the season to spend time with loved ones.
This year, we have tried to make it easier for you to find activities suitable for the whole family during this winter season.
Did we miss a family event? Post it in the comments below or email amartinez-ortiz@milwaukeenns.org with “Family Friendly Winter Events” in the subject line.
Long-term events
Milwaukee Winter Farmer’s Market
The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market is back until April 9. This year the market will be held at Gather in the Deer District located at 333 W. Juneau Ave., Suite B, from 8 am to 11:30 am on Saturday. The market features 30 local vendors who sell a variety of goods ranging from herbal products to baked goods to produce and more. There will be no market on Saturday December 25 or Saturday January 1.
Milwaukee County Zoo’s “Wild Lights”
The Milwaukee County Zoo is teaming up with We Energies to present their “Wild Lights” show until Friday, December 31st. The show is located at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd., And features sparkling lights and animal-themed displays. Tickets are available for purchase in line.
Mitchell Park Domes Holiday Show
The Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., will be presenting its holiday show until Sunday, January 2nd. The show will be presented during regular The Domes hours and is included in general admission.
“Magic of Lights” at American Family Insurance
Walk through American Family Fields, 1 Brewers Way and enjoy the “Magic of Lights”. The show will be on view from now until Sunday, January 2. Click on here for tickets.
December
“Black Nativity” at the Marcus Performing Arts Center: Thursday 9 Dec. to Sunday 12 Dec.
Black Arts MKE presents “Black Nativity” by Langston Hughes. The show will be presented at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St., from Thursday, December 9 to Sunday, December 12. Dimonte Henning is leading this year’s show, which features a new take on a beloved classic.
Winter Wonderland Wood: Friday December 10 and Friday December 17; Saturday 11 and Saturday 18 December
Stroll through the winter woods of Milwaukee Recreation at the Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center, 1130 N. 60e St. The excursions will take place from 5 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday December 10 and 17 and Saturday December 11 and 18. Entrance costs $ 4 per person.
Explore Hopkins Hollow: Saturday 11 December
Nearby Nature Milwaukee invites people to explore Hopkins Hollow, 4410 N. Hopkins St., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 11. The event is part of the organization’s Lincoln Creek Conversation series.
Drum Circle with Mark Soriano: Saturday 11 Dec and Saturday 8 Jan.
Mark Soriano will lead a workshop on African drums at Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5e St., 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 11 and Saturday, January 8. The course is open to all ages and registration is not required. Drums will be provided.
Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk: Saturday 11 and Tuesday 21 December
The Urban Ecology Center celebrates the Winter Solstice with candlelit walks in Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place. The child-friendly version will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 11. adult version will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21. Click here for tickets.
Music Under the Stars: Abraxes Rockin ‘Holiday: Saturday 11 December
Arts @ Large continues its Music Under the Stars concert series with Abraxes Rockin ‘Holiday. The show will take place at Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5e St., 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 11. Tickets cost $ 7 and can be purchased at the door. Proof of vaccination or a negative test result is required.
Kick’n It with Santa Claus: Sunday 12 December
Nature’s Tasty Treats is hosting “Kick’n It with Father Christmas” at the Tricklebee Café, 4424 W. North Ave., starting at noon on Sunday December 12th. Tickets cost $ 15 per person and participants are encouraged to select a time slot when purchasing. The event features cookie decorating, ornament making, a hot chocolate station, holiday music and more.
Painting and cocoa at the Urban Ecology Center: Thursday December 16
The Urban Ecology Center invites people to create a scene of winter wonderland while tasting cocoa. The event will take place at the location of Washington Park, 1859 N. 40e St., 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 16. Registration is compulsory. This event is ideal for teenagers and adults.
Make pinecone dwarfs with Arts @ Large: Saturday December 18
Carmen Aponte will demonstrate how to make gnomes with pine cones during this Arts @ Large workshop. The event will take place at Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5e St., 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 18. Free entry.
The concert of the Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra: Saturday December 18
The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra organizes its inaugural concert at Saint-Michel church, 1445 N. 24e St., 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 18. The “An Evening of Lullabies and Funeral Songs” concert will be a memorial concert for the children who were killed this year in Milwaukee and Waukesha, for individuals who died of drug overdoses, for healthcare workers who take care of the death of patients and for anyone who has lost a loved one.
Heal the Hood: Ujamaa: Wednesday December 29
Fit4YouMKE and Heal the Hood MKE celebrate Kwanzaa at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29. There will be vendors, African percussion and dances, spoken word and Suite. The theme is Ujamaa and “Cooperative economy: from home to community”.
January
Danceworks School Day Off Workshops: Monday Jan. 3 and Monday Jan. 17
Danceworks runs workshops for kids 5K through 5 on days off. The theme is around the world and each workshop features music, dance and traditions from a different country. Classes are held at the studios, 1661 N. Water St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday January 3 and Monday January 17. Click here to register.
Live music at Sherman Perk Coffee: Friday January 7
Kirsten Grace and Joseph Michael will perform at the Sherman Perk Coffee Shop, 4924 W. Roosevelt Dr., from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, January 7. Stop by the cafe to listen to music, coffee, and goodies.
HOME: Story Time with Lynden Sculpture Garden: Wednesday January 19
Lynden Sculpture Garden offers virtual and bilingual storytelling hours as part of its HOME series. Jacqueline Woodson’s “The Day You Begin” will be read in Spanish and English at 10:30 am on Wednesday January 19th. Story time is for children ages 4 to 8.
