From Cirque du Soleil to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 12 Christmas shows to see in Milwaukee

For the first show of Christmas, Milwaukee will give to thee: a spectacle from Cirque du Soleil.

And the 11 other top shows of Christmas that follow through the end of the year in Milwaukee are as wide-ranging as maids a-milking and geese a-laying (with some actual ladies dancing, lords a-leaping and drummers drumming). A country crooner, mariachi band, prog rockers, a veteran movie star, even a classic action movie parody are all part of the mix.

Our 12 top picks are listed below in order of occurrence.

Cirque du Soleil's 'Twas the Night Before …'

Milwaukee has seen its fair share of Cirque du Soleil-inspired holiday shows. But this year, the city’s hosting the real deal, with the Canadian company staging its fanciful interpretation of Clement Clarke Moore’s famed poem for eight shows the weekend after Thanksgiving.

When, where, prices: 3:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 24; Noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26, Miller High Life Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. $39 to $199 at the door, the Pabst Theater box office (144 E. Wells St.) and pabsttheater.org.

Chris Isaak

The David Lynch-endorsed, Roy Orbison-channeling crooner comes to town behind his latest and second collection of Christmas songs — but you’ve got to reckon he’ll work “Wicked Game” into the merriment.

When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Nov. 27, Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. $49.50 to $500 at the door and through the Pabst.

'Yippee Ki Yay'

Debate all you want, but to us there’s no doubt that “Die Hard” should be considered a Christmas movie. Just in time for the holiday season — and 35 years after its initial release — British writer and actor Richard Marsh will pay homage to the epic battle between John McClane and Hans Gruber with this one-man show.

When, where, prices: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 3 p.m. Dec. 2, Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. $38.50 to $58.50 at the box office and marcuscenter.org.

The Commercialists: Charlie Brown Christmas

There are several Wisconsin artists getting into the holiday spirit, from singer-songwriter Joe Richter at Shank Hall Dec. 8 to jam band Steez’s “Creepfunk Christmas” show at the Cooperage Dec. 16. But our favorite local-scene Christmas showcase has to be the Commercialists’ concerts devoted to Vince Guaraldi’s score for “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Beyond bringing live music back to the Jazz Estate this season, the jazz trio also will perform their show in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s stunning new venue for the first time.

When, where, prices: 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 4, Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave.; 31 shows, Dec. 7 to 22, the Estate, 2423 N. Murray Ave.; 6 and 8:30 pm Dec. 23, Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N. Phillips Ave. $65 to $85 at the box office and mso.org for Bradley Symphony shows. $17 to $22 for Estate shows at estatemke.com. $25 to $31.25, on sale 10 a.m. Nov. 10, for Turner Hall shows, through the Pabst.

Mariachi Herencia de México

The Grammy-nominated Chicago-based group infuses traditional holiday classics with romantic mariachi music.

When, where, prices: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave., South Milwaukee. $15 to $65 at the box office and southmilwaukeepac.org.

The New Standards

Staging holiday concerts in their hometown for 16 years with surprise special guests, the Minneapolis supergroup featuring members of the Suburbs, Semisonic and other bands are bringing the party to a new town.

When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Dec. 7, Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N. Phillips Ave. $29.50 to $39.50 at the door and through the Pabst.

Squirrel Nut Zippers

You can count on the Squirrel Nut Zippers to bring some swing to your Christmas spirit, with the Milwaukee stop of the '20s jazz-inspired band's "Holiday Caravan" tour revisiting their "Christmas Caravan" and "Mardi Gras for Christmas" albums.

When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Dec. 14, Turner Hall Ballroom. $39.50.

Voctave

Pentatonix, America's most popular a cappella group, has yet to make a Milwaukee stop for their now annual holiday tours, although Green Bay got a show last year. But the 11-member Voctave, which has developed its own impassioned following, will fill that void.

When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Dec. 15, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 3270 Mitchell Park Drive, Brookfield. $69 to $79 at the box office and wilson-center.com.

Mannheim Steamroller

One of two acts coming to town this season known for their Christmas songs above anything else, Chip Davis' band first brought a New Age sensibility to holiday standards nearly 40 years ago.

When, where, prices: 3 p.m. Dec. 17, Riverside Theater. $49 to $105.

Brett Eldredge

Breaking out a decade ago with a more gentlemanly alternative to bro-country, the Illinois native has further distinguished himself from likeminded peers such as Thomas Rhett with a classy, crooner-inspired sound, which has lent itself well to a couple of Christmas albums, including his latest holiday collection "Mr. Christmas."

When, where, prices: 7 p.m. Dec. 20, Miller High Life Theatre. $39 to $375.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The bombastic prog-rockers will again fire up the lasers and power up the pyro, as they do in Milwaukee every year. The most popular annual Christmas concert tradition in terms of attendance, the orchestra again will have two shows at the Milwaukee Bucks' arena.

When, where, prices: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27, Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave. $49.75 to $109.75 at the box office and fiservforum.com.

'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' with Chevy Chase

Chase himself will answer questions after a screening of his 1989 crowd-pleaser — although you might want to refrain from asking his opinion about one particular former collaborator, Milwaukee native and "Community" creator Dan Harmon.

When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Dec. 28, Riverside Theater. $49.50 to $121.62.

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 12 Christmas shows, concerts in Milwaukee to check out in 2023