The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is creating yuletide magic and transforming the Streets of Old Milwaukee into a holiday wonderland. Deck the Streets, MPM’s new holiday event, will kick-off a season of merry memory-making, including seasonal activities for the whole family on Black Friday and discovering European holiday practices from the past at European Village Alive in December. 

Deck the Streets

Visions of sugar plums, holly and mistletoe come to life as you step off the street car and into turn-of-the-century Milwaukee! Your favorite businesses and storefronts will be decked out with Victorian-era seasonal flair. Take a peek into how Streets' residents celebrated the holidays. Choose your tree at North Side Fuel & Lumber Co., shop for ornaments in the General Store, and pick up presents and goodies for stockings at the Toy Store. Want to know if Granny is hanging stockings up in her house? Download the Streets of Old Milwaukee app to find out how Milwaukee’s favorite grandma celebrates the season.  

The holiday magic continues outside of Streets! Step into the European Village to celebrate Hanukkah at the Jewish House or Christmas in the courtyard. Enjoy the joyful harmonies of carolers from the Milwaukee Rep and melodies from student musicians from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music as you create your own holiday postcard or share your families’ holiday traditions on our holiday traditions chain. You can even blast off for an out-of-this-world holiday edition of Wisconsin Stargazing at the Dome Theater.

When: Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more info, go to mpm.edu/deckthestreets.

Black Friday Fun

Stroll through the splendor of the decorated Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village exhibits and then join our educators for fun family programming on the first floor. Make your own themed thaumatrope, an optical toy popular in the early 19th century, decorate a streetcar postcard to send a friend a special holiday wish and create your very own ornament. Don’t forget to leave behind your families’ holiday wishes or traditions on our holiday traditions chain.

When: Friday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more info, go to mpm.edu/blackfriday.

European Village Alive

Discover what traditions have endured, as well as those that have been forgotten, when costumed enactors and interpreters bring to life European holiday practices of the past. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season, see holiday artifacts not usually on display, talk with curators about holiday folk dress and New Year’s traditions, and participate in fun, interactive activities.

When: Friday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m to 3 p.m.

For more info, go to mpm.edu/aliveevents.

MPM holiday events are included in general admission or free for MPM members. The Streets of Old Milwaukee and the European Village will be decorated in holiday splendor until January 2017. For more information on holiday happenings at MPM, go to mpm.edu/specialevents.