There are only 22 days until New Year’s Eve, and that means you’ve got just over three weeks to soak in all the glittering lights, holiday tunes and joy-filled surroundings at Santa Camp, the over-the-top Christmas destination at 131 N. Jackson St. in the Historic Third Ward.
It’s the perfect spot to escape the stresses of your daily life, make a bit of merry and spend some time with people you love. And regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there’s something on the menu that’ll make your little elf toes wiggle with joy.
Here are a few of your choices:
The Angry Elf OR Rudulph’s Tipsy Spritzer
If the holidays make you bristle, you’re probably in the wrong place. But everyone’s entitled to a bad day. And if you’re having one, you’ll probably want to order up The Angry Elf, a festive holiday mule featuring Tito’s vodka, cranberry juice and ginger beer.
But if you’re prepared to lead Santa’s brigade of reindeer through the night sky, you might want to fuel up with Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer featuring a healthy splash of sparkling wine, a Dasher of bitters, sugar, Korbel Brandy and a maraschino cherry to keep things bright.
The Grinch or North Pole Nog
Feeling naughty? Then green is your color, and The Grinch is your drink. This cool minty concoction featuring creme de menthe, creme de cacao and ice cream is bound to please even the Grinchiest of the Grinches.
But if you’re nice, there’s plenty of cheer in a mug of North Pole Nog, especially when you can get it spiked with your choice of Korbel Brandy or bourbon.
It’s the most wonderful time for a beer
If beer is what makes your holiday hoppy, there’s something for you, as well. Choose from five festive bottled brews made by Wisconsin breweries.
Still mulling it over?
Warm up your cold heart (or hands) with some Jingle Juice, a glass of traditional mulled wine served up with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick.
While you’re there…
Be sure you submit your guess for how many lights it took to transform Campsite 131 into Santa Camp. win a $1,000 prize pack including a cooler filled with alcohol to stock your holiday bar, swag from White Claw and Titos, a Camp gift card and an Amazon gift card to finish your holiday shopping. Guesses can be submitted via the onsite ballot box or online at campyholidays.com. The winner will be announced on air at 95.7 BIG FM on Dec. 22.
You should also try your hand at finding Buzz’s girlfriend’s photo (Woof!). It’s hidden in plain sight amid the glitz and glitter.
Santa Camp is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to close, Friday from 3 p.m. to close and Saturday and Sunday from noon to close.
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.
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