Here are more than 20 holiday craft fairs to check out across the Milwaukee area to find that perfect holiday gift
Cathy Kozlowicz
Milwaukee area arts and crafts shows offer creative gift options while at the same time supporting small business crafters and, in some cases, benefitting charities. Shows boast a variety of items, including jewelry, holiday decor, glass art and more.
Here are more than 20 holiday arts and crafts fairs that are coming up around the Milwaukee area. Be sure to check out each fair's website for detailed schedules.
Brookfield
Brookfield East High School Friends of Fine Arts Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair
The 45th annual Brookfield East High School Friends of Fine Arts Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair is slated to have more than 180 booths from Midwest artisans and crafters with hand-crafted items. This event is a benefit for the BEHS fine arts programs.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 14
Location: Brookfield East High School, 3305 N. Lilly Road
Admission: $5 per person. Free parking is available at the school or at Elite Sports Club, a block east on Burleigh Road with a complimentary shuttle bus. Strollers are not permitted inside the building during the fair due to space restrictions.
For more information:www.brookfieldeastffa.com/holiday-arts---crafts-fair.html
Operation Christmas Cheer Craft & Vendor Fair
Operation Christmas Cheer Craft & Vendor Fair is slated to have 70 vendors, with the first 50 shoppers getting a swag bag.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27
Location: Brookfield Conference Center, 325 S. Moorland Road, Brookfield
Admission: Free
For more information: Find Operation Christmas Cheer Craft & Vendor Fair on Facebook
Deck the Halls Craft & Vendor Fair
The Deck the Halls Craft & Vendor Fair is slated to feature unique crafts and small business vendors
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 11
Location: American Legion Post 449, 3245 N. 124th St.
Admission: Free
For more information: Find Deck the Halls Craft & Vendor Fair on Facebook
More:Oconomowoc Winter Farmers' Market and Sussex's VFW Community Market have been canceled this year
More:The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market is moving from the Domes to Deer District
Butler
St. Agnes Holiday Fair is slated to have booths of handmade crafts, jewelry, folk art, purses, floral wreaths and home-based business booths.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 13
For more information:www.facebook.com/stagnesbutler
Cedarburg
The Holiday Art Fair is a three-day event slated to feature more than 40 artists in categories including jewelry, wearable art, beaded glass, pottery, hand-crafted furniture, drawings, ceramics, birdhouses, copper yard art and weaving.
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.
Location: Cedarburg Community Center, W63 N643 Washington Ave.
Admission: Free
For more information: cedarburgartistsguild.com
Cudahy
The Cudahy Craft and Vendor Fair is slated to have local vendors and crafters and lunch available for purchase. Attendees who visit all of the booths will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 13
Location: Cudahy Family Library, 3500 Library Drive
Admission: Free
For more information: www.cudahyfamilylibrary.org
Grafton
Kapco Metal Stamping's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland drive-thru holiday experience is slated to feature millions of lights, three light tunnels, hundreds of inflatables and holiday decor pieces. Also planned is a Christmas market with food and crafts, a Christmas village, Santa’s Workshop with live reindeer, a Nativity scene and an ice rink.
Proceeds will be used to provide new toys to children "in need and facing adversity," a news release said. Guests are also encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys, which will be given to community kids in need.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26-Dec. 30. Closed Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 24-25.
Where: 1150 Cheyenne Ave.
Admission: $20 per vehicle for weekday general admission, $25 per vehicle for weekend general admission and $50 per vehicle for a VIP front-of-the-line pass, in which guests get priority access to the wonderland upon arrival. VIP passes have limited availability.
For more information: www.kids2kidstoydrive.com
Greenfield
The Harvest Craft & Vendor Fair
The Harvest Craft & Vendor Fair is scheduled to have 70 vendors, homemade chili, caramel apples, raffles, kids games and a bake sale.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 13
Location: St. John the Evangelist Parish & School, 8500 W. Cold Spring
Admission: Free; no strollers allowed
For more information: bit.ly/HarvestCraftandVendorFair
Holiday Makers Market
Greenfield's first Holiday Makers Market is set to have local merchants offering a variety of unique items.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12
Location: Greenfield Community Center, 7215 W. Cold Spring Road
For more information: www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/1407/Holiday-Makers-Market
Milwaukee
Hover Craft: Milwaukee's Favorite Handmade Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
In its 12th year, this handmade craft fair is scheduled to have more than 100 artists, crafters, makers, designers and creative art.
When: noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 5
Location: The Pritzlaff building, 325 N. Plankinton Ave.
Admission: $5 a person/kids free
For more information: www.hovercraftmke.com
Holiday Art & Craft Fair at Serb Hall
The Holiday Art & Craft Fair at Serb Hall is slated to have booth after booth of holiday gift-giving options, using the entire Serb Hall. This indoor art, craft and vendor fair plans to feature more than 140 booths with about 85% of the booths vending handmade arts and crafts.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11
Location: American Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave.
Admission: Free and free parking
For more information: Find 4th Annual Holiday Art & Craft Fair at Serb Hall on Facebook
Kujichagulia Holiday Market
At the Kujichagulia Holiday Market, local businesses will show and sell their creative products. Songstress Keshena Armon is scheduled to provide live music for the afternoon. Anomaly Catering and Junior's Smoked BBQ will be the featured food businesses for the day.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 19
Location: Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave.
Admission: Free
For more information: bit.ly/KujichaguliaHolidayMarket
Cream City Creatives Holiday Arts & Craft Fair
Cream City Creatives Holiday Arts & Craft Fair is slated for local and diverse artists to showcase their art and craft products.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21
Location: Turner Hall Ballroom, 1034 N. Fourth St.
Admission: Free
For more information: creamcitycreatives.com or www.facebook.com/creamcitycreatives
Milwaukee Pets Alive's sixth annual Crafty Christmas - Craft & Gift Sale
Milwaukee Pets Alive's sixth annual Crafty Christmas - Craft & Gift Sale will feature wreaths, gift items and crafts. The event is a fundraiser for Milwaukee Pets Alive, a nonprofit dedicated to end the killing of Milwaukee's homeless pets.
When: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 21
Location: Bark N Scratch Outpost, 5835 W. Bluemound Road
Admission: Free
For more information: www.facebook.com/MilwPetsAlive and look under Events
Annual Holiday Market
The third annual Holiday Market is slated for people to shop at small, local businesses at one location. Vendors include Misfit Flannels, Merry Madame Pies. Lauren Marvell Illustrations, Natural As Can Be Skin Care and Chase My Creations. Vendors will be spaced outside in the yard and inside at Story Hill FireHouse.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 13
Location: Story Hill FireHouse, 407 N. Hawley Road
Admission: Free
For more information: Find Holiday Market at Story Hill FireHouse on Facebook
Winter Wonderland Vendor & Craft Show
The Winter Wonderland Vendor & Craft Show is scheduled to have arts and craft vendors for holiday shopping. The first 30 shoppers in the door will receive a swag bag, and the first 50 kids with their parents will receive a wrapped gift.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4
Location: Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee Airport, 5311 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee
Admission: Free
For more information: Find Winter Wonderland Vendor & Craft Show on Facebook
Menomonee Falls
The Jingle Bell Craft Fair is slated to benefit the Menomonee Falls High School choir program. This event is a holiday craft show with a variety of craft items. It also includes food, beverages and bakery items for sale, as well as a raffle.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21
Location: Menomonee Falls High School, N80 W 14350 Titan Drive
Admission: $4
For more information:fallschoir.org/index.html
Mukwonago
The Marketplace/Craft Fair in Mukwonago is scheduled to have more than 150 crafters.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4
Location: Mukwonago High School, 605 W. Veterans Way
Admission: $3 for ages 18 and older
For more information: www.mukwonagochamber.org/midnightmagic
Oconomowoc
German Christmas Market of Oconomowoc is scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. This event will have authentic European food and drink, polka music, a heated Biergarten, photos with Santa and a shop with handcrafted gifts.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 24, with music from golden oldies band Big Al and the Hi-Fi's; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 26; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 27; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28.
Location: The Village Green, 105 to 107 Main St., downtown Oconomowoc
Admission: Free to attend; $3 to enter the Wintergartent Tent, where there is beer, wine and live polka music.
For more information: germanchristmasmarket.org or Find The German Christmas Market of Oconomowoc 2021 on Facebook
Oak Creek
The Oak Creek Holiday Craft Market is slated to have local vendors, a cash bar, bake sale and food.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 20
Location: Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Ave.
Admission: Free
For more information:occenter.com/holiday-market-3/
Washington County
The Holiday Craft Fair of Washington County is scheduled to have more than 150 vendors in two buildings. Food and beverages will be available for sale, and door prizes will be given out.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 20
Location: Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center, 3000 Highway PV, West Bend
Admission: $5; tickets can be purchased in advance.
For more information: www.wcfairpark.com
West Allis
The Noel Indoor Light Park & Christmas Market is slated to feature nearly 1 million twinkling lights, live carolers and music, a vendor and artisan market and seasonal food and drink options.
When: Dec. 1 to Jan. 2
Location: Exposition Center at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave.
Admission: Weekdays $19.99 for adults, $14.99 for seniors, students and ages 4-17, free for ages 3 and younger; weekends, $22.99 for adults
For more information: noelmke.com
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.