Milwaukee is chock full of things to do, but only a handful of Milwaukee events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for December 15-21, 2025.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15
Chris Isaak @ The Riverside Theater
“Chris Isaak is here to help you kick off the holiday season at the Riverside Theater this December! Over the course of his forty-year career, Platinum-selling and Grammy-nominated singer and actor Chris Isaak has performed to sold-out crowds across the globe with his longtime band Silvertone. His music and film credits include thirteen critically acclaimed studio albums, twelve chart-topping singles along with several motion pictures, such as The Silence Of The Lambs and That Thing You Do!”
Styrofoam Winos + Angelica, King Courteen @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16
Advance Base + Greg Jamie, *1996* @ Cactus Club
“Advance Base is the melancholic soft rock recording project of Chicago, IL singer/songwriter Owen Ashworth (formerly of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone). Using a two-handed arsenal of electric piano, Omnichord, samplers, effect pedals and drum machines, Ashworth builds minimalist, heavy-hearted, and nostalgia-obsessed ballads around his conversational baritone. The warm, electronic sound of Advance Base has been described as ‘lo-fi,’ ‘depressed,’ and ‘weirdly uplifting.'”
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Milwaukee Record Presents: Demolition Man @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
This futuristic 1993 sci-fi thriller stars Sylvester Stallone as John Spartan, a destructive cop who is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to 70 years in a “Cryo-Penitentiary.” His sentence is cut short when he’s thawed out to help save an otherwise prosperous city of “San Angeles” from a sudden string of crimes and mayhem caused by Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes), an escaped Cryo-Criminal who was Spartan’s former adversary. The two mega stars also get support from Sandra Bullock, Denis Leary, Benjamin Bratt, and MTV Rock N’ Jock hall of famer Dan Cortese (in two roles!). Oh, and every restaurant is a Taco Bell in this movie.
Artist Talk: Lonesome Bill Walker + Sevan Mercy @ Cactus Club
Haunted Holidays 2025 @ The Rave/Eagles Club
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
Julian Saunders + Croix Du Nord, Growing Boys @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Julian Saunders is an indie folk musician based in Chicago, Illinois writing music inspired by the likes of Elliott Smith, Adrianne Lenker, and Wilco. Leading a project of the same name, Saunders’ band is composed of a medley of instruments that highlight his alt-country and Americana influence including upright bass (Ethan Davila), piano (Eric Arroyo), drums (John Curry), and (Jack Tekiela) pedal steel.”
Marquee And The Moonlighters @ Falcon Hall
Haunted Holidays 2025 @ The Rave/Eagles Club
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
Bert LauderdALE Beer Release Party @ Broken Bat Brewing Co.
When Milwaukee craves important and unique coverage of the weather, they turn to Bert Lauderdale. The local weather enthusiast and man-about-town has been a fixture in the city for years—and in the pages of Milwaukee Record since early 2024. And now, the local legend is (finally) getting his own beer: the perfectly named Bert LauderdALE, from Broken Bat Brewing Co. “I’m just excited to share a locally made beer with the locals, whether it be out and about galavanting on a sunny day or in the middle of a bone-rattling thunderstorm,” Bert says. Milwaukee band Fellow Kinsman will provide live music for the release party, which runs 5 p.m. to close.
Anodyne Workers Benefit: Barely Civil + MIZZY, Known Moons @ X-Ray Arcade
“In April 2025, 100% of Anodyne workers signed Union authorization cards and demanded that their parent company—FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective, a Kansas City-based, private equity-backed independent coffee conglomerate—recognize their union. Since that time, FairWave has opposed the workers’ union and leveraged various bureaucratic measures to delay the unionization process. For the time being, Anodyne workers encourage the public to continue supporting the business, and are not calling for a boycott. Proceeds from this concert (and another January 10 at Cactus Club) will support Anodyne workers’ bargaining efforts, legal support and other costs.”
Teenage Bottlerocket + Boris The Sprinkler, Rodeo Boys @ Shank Hall (sold out)
“Teenage Bottlerocket was formed in Laramie, Wyoming in 2000 by twin brothers Ray and Brandon Carlisle, following the dissolution of their previous band, Homeless Wonders. The band’s music is heavily influenced by guitarist and co-vocalist Kody Templeman’s other band, The Lillingtons, and punk rock acts such as Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Green Day, The Bouncing Souls, and Misfits. Their music has been referred to as ‘Ramones-core,’ ‘Weasel-core,’ and ‘leather jacket punk.’
Bill Bellamy @ Milwaukee Improv (four shows, also December 20)
Actor, longtime MTV VJ, alleged creator of the term “booty call,” and veteran comedian Bill Bellamy drops by the Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield to treat the suburban club to a total of four performances spread across two nights.
Psychopathic Records Presents Big Baller Holiday Party: Insane Clown Posse + Ouija Macc, Wakko The Kid, ShaggyTheAirhead, JCW Wrestling @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Flying sleighs, how do they work?
WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show: Gremlins @ Oriental Theatre
Superglue (record release) + Shoobie, Mourning Star, Courtesy @ Cactus Club
Southbound & Friends: 50th Anniversary Of Wish You Were Here @ The Cooperage
Holesum Hūdrats + r3algrl, mowiah, SMiiLES @ High Dive
Gabriel Harris Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: AJ Grill + DJ Britt Gunderson @ Cactus Club
We’ve called on Milwaukee comedian AJ Grill to treat the Cactus Club crowd to a tight 15-minute set of stand-up comedy between the second and third quarters of the Packers-Bears game! If you’re unfamiliar, Grill is an ever-busy touring stand up comic who has opened for the likes of Shane Gillis, Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould, Michael Che, Sam Tallent, and Gareth Reynolds. In late 2022, he released his hilarious and all-around wonderful debut special, I’ll Quit When I’m 30.
Alicia Witt @ Lilliput Records
“Alicia Witt will be stopping through Milwaukee and the shop for a special in-store & signing, December 20, at 12 p.m. to celebrate her album, I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You! Albums will be available for purchase at the counter! Hope to see you there!”
Lake Drive + Fakeout, Hot Mess @ Shank Hall
“From Milwaukee, WI – Lake Drive reaches a growing fanbase with their compelling catalog and electric stage presence. Re-define your definition of a hair band. These guys are all natural heavy hitters. Celebrate the season with an electrifying night of pop-rock energy, twinkling lights, and plenty of holiday spirit.”
Groove Theory: A Soulful Christmas @ The Cooperage
Trace Ellington @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Haunted Holidays 2025 @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Madonna vs. Lady Gaga @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
Queen Quail + Henry Geraghty @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Queen Quail is the project of Berlin-based songwriter Kirstin Edwards. Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she grew up playing cello and guitar, with the constant presence of Lake Michigan shaping her layered, intimate sound. Her music has taken root in both Berlin’s indie scene and the DIY traditions of the American Midwest.”
Rap J & Friends: Rap J+ Riz, DJ Dscribe, Darrin Alston, Amara @ Cactus Club
“Rap J is an artist born and raised in Milwaukee, WIsconsin. At the age of six years old, he started freestyling and discovered his passion for hip hop. Born with cerebral palsy, Rap J uses music to express himself and showcase that the condition does not define him. His musical influences include Michael Jackson, Biggie, and Tyler, The Creator.”
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas By Chip Davis @ The Riverside Theater
Hunter Peebles & The Moonlighters + Jon Blair, Shell Bells @ Falcon Nest
Haunted Holidays 2025 @ The Rave/Eagles Club
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