The first weekend of December seems to be the unofficial kickoff for holiday events around Milwaukee as tree lightings and holiday displays are all aglow.
In Milwaukee's Third Ward, Christmas in the Ward kicked off with Mayor Tom Barrett and Santa lighting the tree. Santa even brought some of his reindeer including Prancer so they could get a warm-up in before Christmas.
"They practice. They have flying lessons that they get in the Fall and right now he's just resting for the big night. He's got what, 24 days," said Jeff Phillips, who handles the reindeer.
Christmas in the Wardwill also run on Saturday, Dec. 2.
In Miller Valley, the Holiday Lites are officially on! Families stood along State Street to see the first light show of the season at the Miller Brewery.
"I just love the lights because they're super pretty," said Ian Behrens, 7.
The light shows will run through Dec. 19.
In Wauwatosa, the Holiday Train is getting ready to roll into town. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be there at 4:15 p.m. Sunday. It also rolls into Milwaukee on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and Sturtevant at 5:35 p.m.
A couple of local businesses are encouraging people to bring canned goods out to the train. They will be collecting donations for the needy outside of Leff's Lucky Town at 7208 W State St., Wauwatosa.
In the spirit of the holidays we want to raise awareness that there are people out there in need of things," said owner Chris Leffler.
He is hoping the community donates 15,000 pounds of food for the Tosa Cares Food Pantry by Sunday.
