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The Weekend Preview is brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel. Get there this weekend!
The holidays are just around the corner, and no matter if you're last minute shopping, or if you've gotten your list taken care of and want to relax, there's something for you! This weekend features everything from sports to concerts, local makers' markets and... we hear... there's even a visit or two from the big guy in the red suit. Here's your Weekend Preview, brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast
Experience the excitement as The Milwaukee Wave take the field at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena for an action-packed home game. Cheer on the Wave as they compete for victory and showcase their incredible skills in a fast-paced environment.
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An Evening of Botanical Wonder at Il Bosco
Visit Il Bosco as they join with Indigo Plant Collective to host an evening of botanical wonder on December 20, from 6-9 p.m. Stroll through a magical shopping experience. Enjoy discounts, games, refreshments and lots of holiday cheer.
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Animal Encounters at Discovery World
Turtles and snakes are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Join the Discovery World team for an adventure in their Great Lakes Future exhibit as you meet the animal ambassadors that call Discovery World home.
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Squirrel Nut Zippers - Christmas Caravan at Turner Hall Ballroom
The Squirrel Nut Zippers bring their joyous, raucous Christmas Caravan Tour back again performing all of the hits from Holidays past. From heartwarming ballads to boisterous dance tunes, the band conjures an atmosphere nestled somewhere between the wondrous lights of Christmas and the backroom din of a speakeasy.
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Good Vibes Only at Cactus Club
The monthly Good Vibes Only concert series is a great introduction to some of Milwaukee's emerging hip hop acts at Bay View's Cactus Club. This month's edition features WillOnWater, Sam.e, Lik, Simi, King Ameas, PBG The Prince, and Matryx.
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Collections of Colonies of Bees, Astral Hand, Known Moons at The Cooperage
For two decades, Collections of Colonies of Bees have existed in various forms and incarnations, beginning with Chris Rosenau and Jon Mueller. The current iteration of the band takes the stage at The Cooperage on Friday night, alongside fellow alterntaive rock acts Astral Hand and Known Moons.
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Friday Brewery Tours at Pilot Project Brewing
Head to Pilot Project Brewing for their weekly brewery tour! Your ticket includes five 5 ounce tasters of beer and/or booch, a taster glass to take home with you, the inside scoop on the origin story of Pilot Project Brewing, and a tour of their brand new facility. Friday tours are available at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
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Tiny Moving Parts, Action/Adventure, Courtesy of Tim at Vivarium
Tiny Moving Parts bring their trademark blend of math-rock, pop-punk and emo, albeit with a few new musical tricks (including some electronic flourishes and a banjo) to Vivarium this December!
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Winter Wubz: the Miramar Holiday Party
A huge EDM lineup will takeover The Miramar Theatre on the East Side for their holiday party, featuring sets from Blaze Orange, Deeds, Nuave Hurt, Palsy, R!bb!t, Sheika, Skeemuh, Stikman, Tab3r, Thomas Xavier, and Wolfbiter. Plus there's free pizza from Lisa's Pizza while supplies last!
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SATURDAY
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards
Your NBA Cup champion Milwaukee Bucks are back in action at Fiserv Forum on Saturday night, when they'll welcome the Washington Wizards to Milwaukee to resume regular season play. Cheer on our cup champions in their return to Milwaukee!
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Milwaukee Admirals vs. Texas Stars
Head over to UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena as the Milwaukee Admirals host the Texas Stars in a Central Division matchup at UW-Panther Arena on December 21. There's a t-shirt giveaway, a salute to first responders, and a celebration of 30 years since the last football game at Milwaukee County Stadium!
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Partner Pick
Pomona Cider Co. Holiday Market
Head over to Pomona Cider Company for their holiday market. Snag gifts from local Milwaukee artists, while sipping on warm ciders and indulging in delicious food. It’s the perfect way to shop, savor, and celebrate the season!
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Punk Rock Rummage Sale: Santa's Revenge at X-Ray Arcade
If you need some gifts with attitude, or if you're just into vinyl and vintage items, the Punk Rock Rummage Sale is for you. Lean towards the naughty list with this holiday market.
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Exploration Station Grand Opening at Discovery World
Bring the family to Discovery World for a day filled with hands-on fun and endless curiosity, as they celebrate the grand opening of Exploration Station! This brand-new experience is perfect for young learners to explore the world of transportation, technology, and creativity.
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Fever Presents Candlelight at St. James 1868
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Milwaukee. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Vivaldi and more at The Abbey at St James 1868 under the gentle glow of candlelight.
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Brittany Schmitt at Vivarium
Brittany Schmitt is an LA-based, Wisconsin-raised comic. She likes her comedy like she likes her cheese: stanky. Don’t be fooled by her girl-next-door looks, her humor is insidious and unapologetic. She’s been featured in clubs across the country opening for Theo Von, Chris Redd and more.
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A Warm and Fuzzy Christmas with Midwest Vocal Express and Forward Harmony at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
Join the award-winning Midwest Vocal Express and Forward Harmony choruses on the darkest night of the year to celebrate a warm and fuzzy Christmas! Special guests are the 2024 Land o'Lakes District champion quartet, Coulee Classic.
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Groove Theory: A Soulful Christmas at The Cooperage
Celebrate the season with “A Soulful Christmas,” featuring the incredible Brew City Soul. This one-of-a-kind performance highlights festive and soulful renditions of holiday classics and originals by R&B and Soul greats, including Donny Hathaway, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Five, and Mariah Carey.As a special bonus, all attendees will receive one free ticket to Summerfest 2025.
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Mari Mari, Vanity Plates, Bunk Bed, Bryan Cherry at Cactus Club
Former members of John The Savage, Saebra & Carlyle, Those Royals, and Flat Teeth join focus to create groove based Indie music as Mari Mari. They'll be joined by fellow locas Vanity Plates and Bunk Bed.
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SUNDAY
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour at Fiserv Forum
This year's tour marks the grand return of "The Lost Christmas Eve" to the stage for the first time since 2013. Expect an all-new, dazzling spectacle packed with pyrotechnics, lasers and the incredible storytelling synonymous with TSO. The celebration continues with a high-energy second set featuring the group's greatest hits and fan favorites.
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Sensory-Friendly Sessions at Betty Brinn Children's Museum
Families can enjoy the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in a calmer, quieter space during our Sensory-Friendly Sessions. These special playtimes include open-play and facilitated Programming. Advanced reservations are recommended.
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Let There Be Light Christmas Concert at Mitchell Park Domes
Let There Be Light! is a concert of seasonal folk songs, popular tunes, original songs and traditional carols. The program covers the spectrum of seasonal music from little-known folksongs to everyone's favorites, spiced with sing-alongs and good cheer! The program ranges from the first carol sung in North America to English wassails, French carols, memories of Christmas trees and marvelous toys.
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Will Ferrell Look-Alike Contest & Elf Screening at Lakefront Brewery
Santa! We know him! Dress up as Buddy the Elf, Ron Burgandy, Ricky Bobby, Chazz Michael Michaels from Blades of Glory, Mugatu from Zoolander, Jackie Moon from Semi-Pro, or even More Cowbell Guy. Plus, there will be a screening of "Elf" to spread Christmas cheer.
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Father Christmas at the Pabst Mansion
A whimsical Father Christmas travels south each Sunday during the holiday season to wander gracefully through the Pabst Mansion's three floors. Create magical memories with letters to Santa, holiday treats for purchase, and room after room of enchanting Christmas displays.
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Fox & Branch at Anodyne Coffee Roasters
For over two decades, Dave Fox and Will Branch have energized audiences in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. Their dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs, and family folk music has appealed to children and adults, giving everyone a chance to actively participate.
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Chi-Chi's Restaurant, Vacancy Chain, Tea Service at Cactus Club
Indie rockers Chi Chi's Restaurant have a new album coming out, and they're celebrating the release with a Sunday night show at Cactus Club. Joining the band will be fellow Milwaukee acts Vacancy Chain and Tea Service. It all kicks off at 7 p.m.
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ALL WEEKEND LONG
Haunted Holidays at The Rave
Step into a world where Halloween and Christmas collide at The Rave / Eagles Club this December. Our annual Haunted Holidays Tours return, inviting you on a self-guided journey through our historic venue transformed into a winter wonderland of spooky delights and holiday lights.
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"A Christmas Carol" at Pabst Theater
“A Christmas Carol” is one of the best-known and well-loved stories in the English language. During the course of one memorable Christmas Eve, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help Ebenezer Scrooge discover that it is never too late to change his miserly ways. Milwaukee Rep favorite Matt Daniels returns to play Scrooge, as enchanting music, dance, costumes, scenery and special effects will once again fill the theater to tell this timeless tale of love, hope and redemption.
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SnowGlobe Holiday Festival at Franklin Field
Check out what experiences Snow Globe Milwaukee has to offer! The All-New SnowGlobe Holiday Festival (Powered by Enchant) Announces the Magic is Returning to Milwaukee’s Ballpark Commons.
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"Almost, Maine" at Next Act Theatre
Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost in Canada. It’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees may bruise and hearts may break, but as magic fills the air, the pieces finally fall into place – almost.
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"Oliver!" at Skylight Music Theatre
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast, including two dozen local youth performers, to bring these classic characters and score to life.
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Marie and Rosetta at Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Before Little Richard, Johnny Cash, and Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s groundbreaking blend of gospel music, swing rhythms and fierce electric guitar made her an unconventional music superstar in the 1930s and 40s. Acclaimed writer George Brant unearths the unsung roots of the fearless “Godmother of Rock ’n’ Roll” and her wide-eyed protégée Marie Knight, as they begin their revolutionary ascent to become one of the most influential teams in music history.
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The Big 4-0: New Views of the Collection at Haggery Musuem of Art
The Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University presents an exhibition in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Curated by Dr. Kirk Nickel, Marc and Lillian Rojtman Curator of European Art, the show comprises a two-part installation of the exhibition galleries, in fall 2024 and spring 2025, and features well over 100 works of art from the Museum’s collections.
Exhibit Info
Try a new restaurant!
Now's a great time to support Milwaukee restaurants! And how convenient: Our own Lori Fredrich has compiled a list of 52 Restaurants to try in the Milwaukee area. Pick a number from 1-52, and visit that restaurant this weekend!
#52Restaurants
