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Christmas in the Ward

  • MARN ART + CULTURE HUB 191 North Broadway Milwaukee, WI, 53202 United States (map)

MARN and The Historic Third Ward Association are excited to celebrate ‘Christmas in the Ward’ on Friday, December 1st from 5:30pm - 8:30pm here at the ART + CULTURE HUB and in our neighborhood, at Catalano Square. 

As a Sugar Plum Sponsor of Christmas in the Ward, MARN will kick off the holidays at the HUB with special offerings from the MARN Cafe, MARN’s inaugural holiday MARKETPLACE EXHIBITION, and featuring takeovers from community partner vendors; Great Lakes Distillery, Komunity Kombucha, AVA Wine, New Barons Brewing Cooperative, and featuring Sweetly Baked pastries.  

Come by and be merry!

Word from the Historic Third Ward Association


Christmas in the Ward is a nostalgic holiday celebration that draws thousands of people to the heart of the Historic Third Ward each year ... and you can help us make it happen by sponsoring this charming evening of community celebration!  34th annual Christmas in the Ward.  

The HTWA Christmas in the Ward event is a timeless neighborhood tradition that brings old-fashioned warmth and charm to the Historic Third Ward every holiday season. A tree lighting ceremony, singers and musicians, Santa Claus, and winter fireworks over the Milwaukee River make this a truly spectacular event. This year, our tree lighting celebration will kick off "Shop the Ward" promotion for the holidays featuring our shops, restaurants, salons, and arts destinations.

Come for Santa and the reindeer … stay for the tree lighting, fireworks show, live music, Christmas cookies and special surprises at Christmas in the Ward!

Fill your cup with holiday cheer: We're serving up cocoa and cocoa cocktails, mulled wine, s’mores, kettle corn and so much more. Plus, visit one of the five food trucks on Broadway for plenty of tasty bites. Admission is free to this family-friendly event.

Highlights include:

-A stunning fireworks display over the Milwaukee river

-Visiting with Santa at Jolly's House and meeting his reindeer in the Reindeer District

-A "merry and bright" old-fashioned tree lighting ceremony in Catalano Square

-Snacking on Christmas cookies, with sales benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities

-Live music in Catalano Square

-Holiday-themed Light the Hoan light shows at 7 p.m. (to accompany the fireworks) and 9 p.m.!

See the full lineup of activities here!

2023 Entertainment Schedule

5:30: Milwaukee Police Band

6:00: Town Bank Tree Lighting Ceremony

6:20: Bach Chamber Choir

6:45: Renewed Spiritual Gospel Singers

7:00: Fireworks Show, sponsored by TerraSol, with accompanying Hoan Bridge Light Show

7:10: Skylight Music Theatre

7:30: Donna Woodall Trio

6:30-8:30: Santa in Jolly’s Outdoor Gingerbread House!

8:30: After Party at Santa Camp

9:00: Light the Hoan Holiday Show

All times and entertainment subject to change.



Follow the contributors on Instagram: @historicthirdward @greatlakesdistillery @newbaronsbrewcoop @sweetlybakedmke

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Student Study Sesh + Mixer

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THE MARKETPLACE EXHIBITION