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 8-14, 2025.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
The Commercialists Play “A Charlie Brown Christmas” @ The Estate (through December 21, sold out)
All thirty-something shows of this beloved Milwaukee holiday tradition are already sold out? Good grief!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
The Bug Club + Star Jelly @ Cactus Club
“The way you’re saying it, ‘prolific’ isn’t the right word for The Bug Club. You’ve got to say it with the trademark Welsh lilt and pay due homage to this inimitable band’s origins in the renowned hit factory of Caldicot, South Wales. Do that, and you’re about right with how to summarize a group who’ve released ten singles, two albums, two EPs, three things nobody knew how to describe, and an album under a different band’s name, all since 2021, and while playing 200+ gigs a year.”
Cheap Perfume + Jinksie, Mural Hall @ X-Ray Arcade
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
Black Nativity @ Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (through December 14)
“Now in its 10th year, Black Arts MKE presents its annual production of Black Nativity, December 11–14, 2025, in the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. A cornerstone of Milwaukee’s holiday season, Black Nativity retells the Christmas story through scripture, poetry, dance, and song from the African American perspective. Each year, the production is reimagined anew while maintaining its core spirit of faith, family, and joy.”
Nate Smith @ Vivarium
“Nate Smith is a drummer, composer, and producer from Chesapeake, Virginia. His visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming and his talent as a composer and arranger has led to three Grammy nominations and work with esteemed artists, including: Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Brittany Howard, Van Hunt, The Fearless Flyers, Norah Jones, Childish Gambino, Jon Batiste, and Somi. Smith fuses his original compositions with an eclectic mix of music, including everything from jazz to R&B to hip-hop to pop. In recent years, Smith’s viral videos have been viewed by millions of people, underscoring his popularity as one of the most influential drummers of his generation.”
Osseo + The Hatchets, Dark Psychic @ Cactus Club
So Zuppy (record release) + Forktail, Rainbow Cobra @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Courtesy (Empath 5th Anniversary) + I H8 It Here, Disposable Thumbs @ Falcon Nest
Jeremy Porter @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Stronger Drinks: A Stranger Things Pop-Up @ Sugar Maple (through December 14)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
Tyler And Ashley’s Holiday Special + Special Guests @ Cactus Club
In recent years, longtime friends and former Whips bandmates Tyler Chicorel and Ashley Smith have joined forces on some downright delightful holiday originals released under the name The Stocking Stuffers. With an ever-growing collection of material (and maybe some yuletide covers thrown in for good measure?), they’ve decided to go public with this musical hobby by hosting a “Holiday Special” at Cactus Club. The event will also feature support from The Stocking Stuffers, a “Rockin Rudolph Christmas Choir,” special guests, and even a meat raffle.
Pete Holmes @ Milwaukee Improv (five shows, through December 14)
Pete Holmes has enjoyed quite the career. Through the years, he’s starred in a loosely biographical HBO series and a CBS sitcom, hosted a late night TBS talk show bearing his name, voiced “The E*Trade Baby,” recorded hundreds of episodes of his popular You Made It Weird podcast, wrote a book, and guest wrote some episodes of The Simpsons. However, Holmes is a stand up comedian first and foremost. The multi-talented comic returns to Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield to perform five shows spread over three December nights.
Season For A Smile: Lack Of Reason + The Grovelers, Palm Ghosts, The Quilz @ X-Ray Arcade
Former Critics + Barely Civil, Mulva, Oh Well OK @ MKE Ultra
Chris Haise Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
The Moth @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Mall Goth: The Holiday Edition @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
Ladybird + Long Mama, Maximiano, Old Pup @ Falcon Hall
What’s there to say about this one? It’s just a very, VERY stacked lineup of local bands residing in the general vicinity of folk, country, Americana, and the like. Don’t miss it!
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“The Squirrel Nut Zippers bring their joyous, raucous Christmas Caravan Tour back again, performing all of the hits from Holidays past. From heartwarming ballads to boisterous dance tunes, the band conjures an atmosphere nestled somewhere between the wondrous lights of Christmas and the backroom din of a speakeasy. This show is a must-see for any true music lover.”
Milwaukee Zappafest XXVII ft. Ray White @ The Cooperage
“Great googly moogly! Milwaukee Zappafest, the longest running annual Frank Zappa tribute concert in America is back for it’s 27th edition! Back once again is none other than legendary Zappa alumni Ray White to headline with Milwaukee’s very own Gozortenplat! Opening the show on the right (stink)foot will be The Dancin’ Fools lead by Zappafest alumni Dave White (the long lost nephew of Ray?!)!”
Them Coulee Boys + TAE & The Neighborly @ Vivarium
“Over the course of five albums, including 2019’s Die Happy (produced by Trampled By Turtles’ Dave Simonett) and 2025’s No Fun In The Chrysalis (produced by Grammy winner Brian Joseph), Them Coulee Boys have garnered international attention and earned press in Americana UK, American Songwriter, Ditty TV, Folk Alley, and The Bluegrass Situation. The band has played support to Trampled By Turtles, Los Lobos, Old Crow Medicine Show and Band Of Heathens.”
Big Balls (AC/DC tribute) + Alkaline Quartet (Alkaline Trio tribute) @ Ope! Brewing
TNGNT (EP release) + Jeans @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
An Ugly Sweater Christmas: Modern Joey + The People Brothers Band, Mae Simpson @ Mad Planet
Spun Out + Jaff Graffner, Lavish Waste, AJ, DJ Rooney @ Cactus Club
Walter Salas-Humara + Freedy Johnston @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
J Ryan Trio @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Punk Rock Rummage Sale: The Nice Price Holiday Sale @ X-Ray Arcade
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Dak duBois + Casa duBois Vintage Pop-Up, DJ Tyler @ Cactus Club
The Pack is back! And so is the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series at Cactus Club! We’ve assembled a stacked roster of 15 acts that will provide FREE all-ages entertainment at Cactus Club during halftime of Green Bay’s games. Our pals at Hamm’s are sponsoring the series, meaning fans can enjoy specials on cans and buckets of the beer “from the Land of Sky Blue Waters” and Miller High Life all game long. WYNK has also come on as a sponsor and its THC seltzer is available at a discount during all games. Last and certainly not least, Transfer Pizzeria Cafe is once again coming by most games to drop off some complementary pizza. Games are shown in the bar as usual, and also shown on a projector screen in Cactus Club’s back room.
Merry & Bright Market @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Tis the season to celebrate our 5th Annual (whoa!) Merry & Bright Holiday Market at our Walker’s Point Anodyne location! We’ll have over 20 vendors selling curated and handmade goods for all your holiday needs. Free to attend. Lots of coffee. Our neighbors at Station 1846 (City Tours MKE) will be hosting an outdoor Holiday Market on Bruce Street. They’ll also have local vendors, food, beverages and more! Make a day of it—plenty to shop and enjoy with the whole family.”
Colectivo Holiday Market @ Colectivo (Prospect)
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