Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors.
For the second year running Wauwatosa will host the (official) Christkindlmarkt. The festive European holiday market will take place Dec. 4 through Dec. 22 at 7735 Harwood Ave. (south of the railroad tracks, just across from the intersection of Harwood Avenue and State Street).
During the market, which is free and open to the public, guests can enjoy traditional European-style fare, scads of holiday shopping, family-friendly events and live entertainment.
That includes Maßkrugstemmen Stein-Holding Contests (qualifying events for the national championship); Hammerschlagen tournaments, and live music in the heated Wintergarten tent.
But there’s also something new to enjoy this year. The market will be hosting an ever-evolving series of workshops, plus book signings from local authors including Barbara Ali and Lori Fredrich. Fredrich will also host four conversations with chefs and farmers featured in her cookbook.
Guests can also attend a workshop about Amaryllis Bulbs with Aromatic Acres and watch for information on workshop about creating a seasonal Charcuterie Board with The Village Cheese Shop!
Guests can pre-order copies of books and sign up for chef talks online.
Book Signings & Talks
Dec. 5
Book signing
“The Milwaukee Bucket List: 101 Real Milwaukee Adventures” by Barbara Ali
December 5, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Books: $25 each (purchase advance copy online)
Meet Milwaukee author Barbara Ali who will share ideas about how you can have more fun right in your own backyard. Ali will be signing copies of her book!
Dec. 10
Book signing
“Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State" by Lori Fredrich
Dec. 10, 5:15-6:45 p.m and 8:15-9 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Books: $30 each
Note: $5 from each book sold will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House
Meet Milwaukee author Lori Fredrich and get your signed copy of her new cookbook, which features over 70 recipes from local chefs plus stories about the farms from which they source their fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats.
Conversation with Lori Fredrich, Chef Andrew Schneider of Le Reve Patisserie & Cafe and Bill Stone of Brightonwoods Orchard
Dec. 10 from 4-5 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Cost: $25 or $55 with a copy of the book
Get more information
Note: Proceeds from the event will support the Holiday Market as well as the Ronald McDonald House; $5 from each book sold will also be donated to the Ronald McDonald House
During this intimate conversation, guests will learn more about both the restaurant and farm, as well as how they work together to support one another and deliver farm-fresh French fare right to your plate. Guests can enjoy samples of a dish made by Chef Schneider with produce from Brightonwoods Orchard.
Conversation with Lori Fredrich and Chefs Lisa Kirkpatrick and Paul Zerkel of Goodkind
Dec. 10 from 7-8 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Cost: $25 or $55 with a copy of the book
Get more information
Note: Proceeds from the event will support the Holiday Market as well as the Ronald McDonald House; $5 from each book sold will also be donated to the Ronald McDonald House
During this intimate conversation, guests will learn more about Goodkind, glean insights into what it’s like to work as a husband-wife chef team and learn about one of the most unique urban farms they support, Baby Mama Botanicals. Guests will also get to enjoy samples of a dish made by the Chefs with produce from Baby Mama Botanicals.
Dec. 17
Book signing
“Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State" by Lori Fredrich
Dec. 17, 5:15-6:45 p.m and 8:15-9 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Books: $30 each
Note: $5 from each book sold will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House
Meet Milwaukee author Lori Fredrich and get your signed copy of her new cookbook, which features over 70 recipes from local chefs plus stories about the farms from which they source their fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats.
Conversation with Lori Fredrich, Chef Dan Jacobs of Dandan & EsterEv and Centgraf Farms
Dec. 17 from 4-5 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Cost: $25 or $55 with a copy of the book
Get more information
Note: Proceeds from the event will support the Holiday Market as well as the Ronald McDonald House; $5 from each book sold will also be donated to the Ronald McDonald House
During this intimate conversation, guests will get a peek behind the scenes at the work of “Top Chef” runner-up Chef Dan Jacobs while learning the story of a family farm that’s been serving the Milwaukee community for nearly 100 years. Guests will also get to enjoy samples of a dish made by Chef Jacobs with produce from Centgraf Farms.
Conversation with Lori Fredrich, Chef Joe Muench of Black Shoe Hospitality and Chris Corkery of Hundred Acre
Dec. 17 from 7-8 p.m.
The Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave.
Cost: $25 or $55 with a copy of the book
Get more information
Note: Proceeds from the event will support the Holiday Market as well as the Ronald McDonald House; $5 from each book sold will also be donated to the Ronald McDonald House
During this intimate conversation, guests will get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to oversee three of Milwaukee’s standout restaurants while also working hard to make a difference in the community. They’ll also be treated to the story behind Wisconsin’s largest urban hydroponic farm and its mission to alleviate food insecurity. During the presentation, guests will enjoy samples of a dish made by Chef Muench with produce from Hundred Acre. Hundred Acre products (salad greens, basil, pesto) will be available for purchase following the presentation.
Parking & Wonderlight Walk!
Attendees of the Christkindlmarkt are invited to park in the Hart Park parking lot and follow the Wonderlight Walk to the market. The Wonderlight Walk begins just south of the Muellner Building at Hart Park and showcases beautiful twinkling light displays to light your way!
For more information about the Tosa Christkindlmarkt, visit: tosaholidaymarket.com
The Christkindlmarkt will be open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
