By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Nov 07, 2022 at 4:56 PM

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 Educators Credit Union, Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors

'Tis the holiday season – and to put a little more festive spirit into your gift shopping trips, The Corners of Brookfield announced a stocking full of fun activities and events coming these next two months. 

For instance, beginning on Saturday, Nov. 26 and running through the end of the year, The Corners will light up those silent nights with glowing holiday displays – including a tunnel made of more than 16,000 shimmering lights – and Christmas photo ops like Santa's sleigh and throne. And for even more bright festive feelings, The Corners will host a town tree lighting celebration on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 3-5:30 p.m., gathering the town of Brookfield together for festive food, drink, a visit from Santa, entertainment and – of course – the ceremonial lighting of the tree. Plus, The Corners will also team up with the Chabad of Waukesha-Brookfield for a menorah lighting celebration on Thursday, Dec. 22. 

Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas festivities without a visit from everyone's favorite annual guest: Santa Claus, who will be at The Corners to take photos and take requests on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 9-11 a.m. at Premier Parcel as well as Sunday, Dec. 11 from 9-11 a.m. at Kendra Scott. Tickets to kick it with St. Nick – complete with a meet-and-greet, holiday gift bags and other sweet festive treats – will go on sale beginning Monday, Nov. 14. For more information on tickets and the event, check The Corners of Brookfield's website

And if you can't make it to either of those Santa soirees, those young and young-at-heart can write Santa a letter and drop it off in the mailbox to the North Pole in Market Square from Nov. 23 through Dec. 22. 

To build anticipation for the holidays – quite literally – The Corners will also host Habitat for Humanity's eighth annual gingerbread build. Taking place at Von Maur from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, the event will showcase remarkable edible artworks and baked buildings, all awaiting your vote to help select the winners of some awesome gift card prizes. 

Finally, for those already looking ahead to 2023, The Corners will also ring in the new year with some yuks at the Milwaukee Improv, which will host its first New Year's Eve party on Saturday, Dec. 31. The day will feature two separate performances from comedian Steve Byrne ("Four Christmases," TV's "Sullivan & Son"), with tickets to each coming with a glass of celebratory champagne, a VIP pass for a future Milwaukee Improv show and other festive party favors to welcome in 2023 with a laugh. 

For more information on The Corners of Brookfield's holiday celebrations – as well as its special seasonal hours – visit the shopping center's website. And for more festive fun this season, check out OnMilwaukee's holiday guide!

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.