DECEMBER 2005 - Special Events

Complete address of sites is listed with first mention. Area codes of phone numbers are 414 unless shown otherwise. Please confirm events when possible; listings are subject to change.

POTAWATOMI BINGO CASINO, 1721 W. Canal St. Located minutes from downtown, this two-story entertainment complex offers high-stakes bingo; craps, roulette, blackjack table games, and video and reel slot machines. 500-seat cabaret-style theater and 1,800-seat concert hall host some of the nation’s top performers. Dining options include international buffet, sports bar & grill, fine dining restaurant and snack bars. Open 24 hours a day. Call toll-free, 1-800-PAYS-BIG or visit www.paysbig.com

DOWNTOWN WALKING TOURS, Saturdays only through May 31 at 1 p.m. Tours by Historic Milwaukee start at Shops of Grand Avenue, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. and meet at statue (ground floor) between TJ MAXX and Linens ‘n Things. Two -hour tours. 277-7795.

REGULAR WORKSHOPS, various times; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Tot Time (Tues., Wed., & Thurs. 10:30 a.m., ages 1-3); Puppet Play (Thurs. & Sat. 11:30 a.m., ages 3 and older); Storytime (Fri. & Sat., 10:30 a.m., ages 3 and older), Krafty Kids (Fri., 11:30 a.m., ages 3 and older, $2 materials fee per child). Same-day registration is required on a first-come basis. Most workshops free with regular museum admission. 390-5437.

FESTIVAL OF TREES, through Dec. 6; Wyndham Milwaukee Center, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. 273-8733.

MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL, through Jan. 1; Downtown Milwaukee. Three downtown parks and buildings and streets feature special decorations. Cathedral Square Park, N. Jefferson and E. Wells St.; Pere Marquette Park, W. State and Old World St.; Zeidler Union Square, W. Michigan St. between 3rd and 4th Sts. Jingle Bus to displays operates Thurs.-Sun., 6-9 p.m. Catch the Jingle Bus for $1 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave. 220-4700.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW, through Jan. 1; Country Springs Hotel, Waukesha, exit I-94 at Hwy T. north & left at Golf Rd. Displays with over a million lights to drive through. Carload admission ($15). 5-10 p.m. daily. 262-970-5000.

LEONARD BEARSTEIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, through Jan. 8. Shops of Grand Avenue atrium, W. Wisconsin Ave. at Old World 3rd St. Conductor “Bearstein” and his 18-piece orchestra of animated bears return to perform on the hour. 224-0655.

ROSA PARKS DAY, Dec. 1; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Ages 3 and older can learn about this remarkable woman. 390-KIDS (5437).

KLOIBER JEWELERS TRUNK SHOW, Dec. 1; Kloiber Jewelers, 411 E. Wisconsin Ave. Trunk show introduces Amy Levine Designs. 4-7 p.m. 276-2458.

CANVASBACKS WAREHOUSE SALE, Dec. 1-3; Canvasbacks Factory, 224 W. Washington St. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 384-4484.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY, Dec. 1-3; Cedar Creek Winery, Corner of Bridge and Washington Sts., Cedarburg. 75 artisans selling home accessories, Christmas décor, and wearable art. 262-377-9620

HISTORIC HOLIDAY WEEKEND, Dec. 1-4; Port Washington. 262-284-7270.

TWELVE DAYS OF GINGER, Dec. 1-11, 17-18; Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Dr. in Whitnall Park, Hales Corners. Highlights include Sunday Gingerbread Brunch, gingerbread house workshops and storytimes and activities. 525-5663.

FIRST FRIDAY, Dec. 2; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Holiday Martini Party with live music until 8 p.m. then dance to DJ. Free appetizers, cash bar. 5:30-10 p.m. 224-3200.

CHRISTMAS PARADE, Dec. 2; Port Washington. 6:30 p.m. 800-719-4881.

HISTORIC HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, Dec. 3, 4-8 p.m. & Dec. 10, noon-4 p.m.; Eghart Victorian House, 1860 Light Station, Historic Courthouse., Port Washington. Tours and holiday decorations. 800-719-4881.

CEDARBURG FESTIVE FRIDAY EVES, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23; Cedar Creek Settlement, Washington Ave. and Bridge Rd. in Historic Cedarburg. Series of free, family-oriented special evening events during the holiday season. Continues every Friday through Dec. 23 with a different theme for each night.
262-377-4763.

PORT WASHINGTON FRIDAY EVES, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23; Port Washington. Extended hours and promotions. 800-719-4881.

CHRISTMAS IN THE WARD, Dec. 2-3; Historic Third Ward. Santa, carriage rides, carolers, street entertainers and a wide variety of shops and galleries to explore. Raffle, silent auction and cookie sale, and a tree lighting on Friday evening, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. 273-1173.

SILVERBELL MARKETPLACE, Dec. 2-3; Cedarburg Community Center, W63 N641 Washington Ave. Over 35 artisans display their works. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 262-377-9620, 888-242-9699.

HOLIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Presented by SBC. The zoo shines with thousands of twinkling lights and holiday displays. Includes Santa and Mrs. Claus, craft corner for kids and holiday treats for purchase. 6:30-9 p.m. 256-5412.

WINTER ON MAIN, Fridays, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 and Saturday, Dec. 3; Downtown West Bend. Extended retail hours, carols, decorations, horse and carriage rides, and more. 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 262-338-3909.

FAMILY FREE DAY AT THE ZOO, Dec. 3; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Sponsored by Jewel-Osco.
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 771-3040.

CHRISTMAS ON THE CORNERS, Dec. 3; Port Washington. Carolers, wagon rides, music live nativity, Santa, live reindeer, and more. 4-8 p.m. 262-305-4220.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18; Milwaukee Public Museum. 800 W. Wells St. Enjoy music in the “European Village,” see holiday lights, make ornaments and enjoy the decorated trees and holiday decoratons throughout the museum. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., noon-3 p.m. Sun.

SATURDAYS WITH SANTA, Dec. 3, 10 & 17; Shops of Grand Avenue. Fun for kids and their parents in the Shops of Grand Avenue food court. Noon-2 p.m. Free. 224-0384.

FAMILY SUNDAYS, Dec. 4; Milwaukee Art Museum. Family workshops, gallery games, prizes and more all based on Rembrandt in 17th-century Holland. noon-4 p.m. 224-3200.

ARE SLOTHS SLOW? Dec. 7; Milwaukee Public Museum. Natural history lecture based on radio–tracking of sloths in Costa Rica. 7 p.m. 278-2728.

THE HOLIDAY MARKET, Dec. 7; Third Street Pier, 1110 N. Old World 3rd St. Featuring 10 artists and craftsmen. Enjoy fine hors d’oeuvres and sample selected wines. Noon-8 p.m. Admission, reservations required. 272-0330.

STUDIO ART CRAWL, Dec. 9-11; The Arts Building, 133 W. Pittsburgh Ave. Five floors filled with art from more than 40 artists at this 20th anniversary event. Shop for the holidays plus tour the studios where the artists work. 5-9 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 272-4606 or www.studioartcrawl.com.

NUTCRACKER PROGRAM, Dec. 10; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Join the dancers of the Milwaukee Ballet as they tell the story of this classic holiday ballet and perform dance excerpts. 11 a.m. 390-5437.

HMONG NEW YEAR, Dec. 10-11; Wisconsin Expo Center, State Fair Park; Festival celebrating family, community accomplishments, cultural activities and foods, beverages, keepsakes and more for sale and on display. 344-6575.

IT’S A WRAP! STATIONERY WORKSHOP, Dec. 14; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Ages 3 and older create gift wrap, cards and more. $5 materials fee. 390-5437.

BROADWAY CHRISTMAS ON ICE, Dec. 15; Milwaukee Theatre. Starring Dorothy Hamill & Davis Gaines. Olympic Gold Medalist and Emmy winner Dorothy Hamill and Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera" title star Davis Gaines. 276-4545.

NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT, Dec. 15; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Free admission from 5-8 p.m., from Jewel-Osco. 390-KIDS.

MEET KEITH MCELROY, THE AMAZING SCIENCE GUY, Dec. 23; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Ages 3 and older join him in some sily and scientific experiments. 390-KIDS.

KWANZAA CELEBRATION DAY, Dec. 26; Milwaukee Public Museum. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 278-2728.

WINTER WONDER WORKSHOPS, Dec. 26-30; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. 1 p.m. $2 materals fee per child. Mon.-blizzard Bingo, Tuesd.-Winter Beach Break, Wed.-Frosty Art, Thurs.-Snow Day Carnival, Fri.-Snuggle Up Stories.

MUSIC JAMBOREE, Dec. 28; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Ages birth-5 years. 11:30 a.m. 390-5437.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DURING THE DAY, Dec. 31; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 390-5437.

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS, Dec. 31; Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St. Fun for the whole family at 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. 276-4545.