Good morning, Waukesha.

Hartland PD will collect food donations for local families through Dec 10 with drop-offs at 210 Cottonwood Ave. & Piggly Wiggly at 505 Cottonwood Ave. A Stuff the Squad collection will be held on Dec 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. while Hartland plans a tree lighting and drone show on Dec 5 and a Holiday Train stop on Dec 10 to support its local food pantry.

Farmers Market To Go in Brookfield celebrates its first anniversary with more than 50 vendors selling fresh goods all year round.

Owner Alena Joling started the shop to help small businesses grow—each vendor keeps 100 percent of their sales.

Old World Wisconsin in Eagle will host its immersive Home for the Holidays program from December 6 to 7 and December 13 to 14, featuring historical exhibits, live music and ethnic folklore along with a revived Breakfast with Santa event.

Breakfast with Santa in the Clausing Barn from 8 to 10 a.m. — offering a buffet, a photo with Santa and a Teddy Bear gift — will require an added fee and reservations.

Artist Carmen de la Paz installed her 'Holding Love' sculpture — the final piece of the Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial — in Grede Park as a tribute to the six victims of the 2021 attack.

She will serve as grand marshal for the upcoming parade, and the memorial dedication will take place Friday.

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction showed that Waukesha County districts enrolled 58,602 students in the 2024-25 school year—44,627 of whom were white, making up 76.2% of the student body; Waukesha School District recorded the highest white enrollment with 6,527 students.

The Waukesha School Board voted on Nov.

12 to close Bethesda Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, and the Whittier building to address declining enrollment, so fewer elementary schools will operate next school year. The decision also changes school assignments—Horning Middle will become a K-8 STEM school and three other schools will host dual-language programs—and may lead to the sale of three buildings to save up to $3.7 million.

Hamilton School District alerted families late Tuesday that law enforcement investigated concerning social media comments at Hamilton High School and found the remarks came from a non-attending student — the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department will keep an increased presence at the school through the week.

Melissa Spellman shared video from last week showing an all-white buck trotting in her Ottawa backyard; she noted it was her second sighting of the unusual deer.

A child in the video exclaimed 'Santa’s deer'—officials remind locals that these deer are protected by state law.

The Pewaukee Boat House on Pewaukee Lake is a 1,400 square foot home built in 1938 and rebuilt for short-term rental—its design includes portholes, nautical rope decor, and a small lighthouse that families with young children enjoy.

Property manager Kristen Kreuser noted the home now features two decks, kayaks, and a fire pit for added fun.

Holiday Folk Fair International 2025

2-9 p.m. — Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center — Parking fees may apply — Celebrate multicultural heritage with music, dance, and traditional foods over this three-day festival.

Milwaukee Turkey Trot 5k/8k

8:45 a.m. — McKinley Park — Entry fee not specified — Celebrate Thanksgiving with a fun run and enjoy a donut at the finish line.

Mistletoe Market Craft & Art Fair

10 AM – 4 PM — Waukesha County Expo Center — Free entry — Discover unique handcrafted art and crafts at this festive market with possible visits from Santa.

Special Saturday: Hands On Holidays

10 AM – 12 PM — Oconomowoc Public Library — Free entry — Create holiday gifts at various crafting stations for all ages.

Waukesha Christmas Parade

4-9:45 p.m. — Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday spirit with colorful floats, festive music, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Country Christmas Spectacular

5-9 p.m. — The Ingleside Hotel — $30-$35 per carload — Experience a mesmerizing display of over a million holiday lights from the comfort of your car.

Wisconsin Rummage-O-Rama Flea Market

9 AM – 5 PM — Waukesha County Expo Center — Entry fee varies — Explore a treasure trove of unique finds and local crafts at this bustling market.