By Mary Boyle

I've written at least 4 of these Holiday Happenings features over the course of my work on Ozaukee Living Local.  Each year, I simply edit the event dates and, perhaps, minor details from the previous year, but this year is different: this year, we have a pandemic overlapping our traditional holiday in Oz.  Some events that are part of our family traditions, such as Christmas on the Corner in Port Washington or the Christmas Parade in Grafton, will not be happening.  Change is always difficult, but changes to our holiday traditions are some of the most difficult changes to process.  This is going to be hard, people, but it's why I jumped back on this site, after an almost one year hiatus: to tell you that it's going to be okay.

In The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the Grinch makes a stunning realization after he attempts to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville by taking away all of the decorations, presents and food for the feast: the Whos come out and begin to sing anyway, because Christmas isn't about those things.  The holiday spirit in Oz comes from us and, now more than ever, we're going to need it.  Shopping locally has never been more important (see our Holidays in Oz Shopping Guide).  Give, if you have a little extra to share, not just on Giving Tuesday to our local nonprofits but to the Food Pantry, if you can.  Perhaps even more importantly, bring some good cheer wherever you go, because kindness is free and contagious, and that's the sort of thing we want to spread.

Not all events are cancelled this holiday season, and many can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.  Be sure to contact us if you see an event that's missing!

Cedarburg's Tree Lighting, Friday, November 27th at 4:30 on the CCC Facebook Page or on Youtube.
Kapco's Kid2Kids Christmas Wonderland, November 27-December 31 in Grafton.
Christkindlmarket at Inventors Brewpub, Saturday, November 28th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Fredonia Tree Lighting, Saturday November 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Freedom Park.
Cinema Under The Stars Holiday Edition: Home Alone, Sunday, November 29th at 2 p.m. in the LaRosa Landscape Co. parking lot. *Advanced ticket purchase required.
An Enchanted Christmas at the Cedarburg Art Museum during Festive Fridays through December 18th in downtown Cedarburg
Rivoli Theater's Holiday Film Series, Dec. 4-23 in downtown Cedarburg.
Illuminate Ozaukee - A Holiday Light Show, Fridays & Saturdays, Dec. 4-26, 6-9 p.m. at Herman A Zuenert Park in Cedarburg.
Free Admission and Make & Take Craft at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. December 5.
Belgium Boy Scouts Wreath Sale from 1-3 p.m. at Community Park.
Barbara Joosse reads "Everybody's Tree" for the holidays, online at 2 p.m. December 5th.
Port Washington's Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. on the corner of Jackson and Franklin Streets.
European Christmas Parade in Belgium, December 6 at 4:30 p.m.
Meet Santa in a Snow Globe, December 5, 12 & 19 4:30-6:30 at Upper Lake Park. *Preregistration required. 
Winter Wreath Class, December 10th at 6 p.m. at Shully's in Thiensville
Holiday Bough Trimming at Riveredge, Friday, December 11 from 4-6 p.m.
​Santa's Dash Away 5K, December 12 in downtown Cedarburg

Holiday Theatre Opportunities
Another Night Before Christmas with Memories Dinner Theater in Port, Dec. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13.
A Christmas Carol or Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol with The Milwaukee Rep.  Register to watch a free 2016 recording of A Christmas Carol online December 1-24 or purchase tickets to watch the brand new Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol December 10-24.
Holiday Pajama Jamboree with the Festival City Symphony, either virtually or in person at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center in Brookfield, December 2, 7-8 p.m.
Skylight Sings: A Holiday Special, streaming from December 11-January 10.
Milwaukee Ballet's The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet, streaming from December 12th.
Christmastown Comes to First Stage streaming Dec.13- Jan 2. 
Eight Tiny Reindeer: A Holiday Whodunit online on Saturday, Dec. 19th at 7:30 p.m.

*Edited from 2017

​By Mary Boyle

The conventional method of holiday shopping is so ingrained in us, it's easy to overlook the many treasures we have right in our own community.  Supporting local businesses and organizations is the gift that keeps on giving; the money you spend at these places not only stays in our community, but oftentimes helps to support important organizations that make Ozaukee and the greater Ozaukee area so wonderful.  Read on, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list!

For the Kids (and Kids at Heart)

Hands down, my favorite place to buy toys in Ozaukee County is the Cedarburg Toy Co.  Owners, Zach and Natasha Loos, will not only assist you in finding the right gift, they'll wrap it for you.  They are also experts at covert operations, if you happen to actually have your children with you and need to shop.  Wink, nudge, or pass them a note, and they'll have all the presents wrapped and ready for later pick up,  or whatever other crazy antics you can think of.  CTC truly has gifts for all ages, from blocks and rattles to puzzles and books, and things you didn't even know existed!  Don't miss this magical little store in the heart of downtown Cedarburg.

For the Foodies

Oz is home to some really great restaurants, and a special dinner out could be a lovely gift.  Try the Hundred Mile House, Fork & Tap, or Twisted Willow in Port; Cedarburg has Brandywine, The Stilt House, The Anvil Pub or The Farmstead.  Messina's in Saukville is a good bet, or try Atlas BBQ  in Grafton.

For the Nature Lovers

Oz is home to two amazing nature preserves:  Riveredge in Newburg in the north and Mequon Nature Preserve in the south.  Memberships to both offer access to trails and programming, but also help support environmental restoration and education in Oz.  Besides memberships, Riveredge has a Visitor's Center full of great gifts for the Outdoorsy person in your life, including the syrup they make onsite each spring.

For the Art Lovers

The art community is strong in Oz, and there are a variety of places where original artwork of all kinds can be purchased.  In Cedarburg, try the Cedarburg Art Museum, Cedarburg Cultural Center,  or the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts gift shops, but memberships to these organizations also make great gifts. In downtown Cedarburg, you can find local art in many of the gift shops, including Bohemia, the Pink Llama Gallery, and within the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement.  In Grafton, look no further than the NSAA Arts Mill, where a wide variety of treasures await.  

For the Coffee Lovers

If there is one thing the Land of Oz has aplenty, it's good coffee shops.  Gift Certificates are great, of course, but most also offer t-shirts, mugs, and other fun items to show your coffee shop pride.  In Port, there's Java Dock Cafe and Smith Bros. Coffee House; in Grafton, we have AM Coffee, NSeven, and Colectivo (also in Mequon); in Cedarburg, there's the Cedarburg Coffee Roastery and Java House.  You can find a Fiddleheads in Cedarburg, Grafton, Thiensville, and Mequon.  There is no lack of caffeine in Oz, people.

For the Pet Lovers (and pets!!)

Oz is home to a bounty of wonderful, independent and local places to shop for the pet or pet lover in your life!  In Port Washington, check out One Wag on the corner of Franklin and Jackson St. downtown, which specializes in natural food and nutritional support for your pets.  In Saukville, there's Dawgs In Motion, which has day camp, training classes, a pool, a shop, grooming and more, or Pet Supply Port, which has been in Oz for over 25 years.  In Mequon, try the Feed Bag, which also offers a pool and grooming, as well as a selection for pets beyond dogs and cats.  In Cedarburg, try Landmark Supply, which has been serving the critters of Oz for over 150 years!

For the Beer & Wine Lovers 

Oz is home to a number of breweries, and there are a few winery options, as well.  In Cedarburg, of course, there is the award-winning Cedar Creek Winery and Chiselled Grape Winery, but Cedarburg has two breweries, as well: Rebellion Brewing and The Fermentorium.  In Port Washington, try Inventors Brewpub or Vines to Cellar.  In Grafton, Sahale Ale Works is a recent arrival, while Foxtown Brewing in Mequon is also fairly new.

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​For those who love to wander through Gift Shops and be inspired...

Sometimes, you just want to wander around and see what might jump out at you, or have someone in the know who has the time to help you find the perfect gift.  If that's you, you could just start at one end of downtown Cedarburg and finish at the other, but Cedarburg isn't your only game!  In Port Washington, try Pear & Simple, Eclectic Avenue, Lakeside Music & Naturals (which has all types of goodies for the musicians in your life, too), The Shoppes of Port Washington, Locally Inspired, or Guenther House Collective.

​The important thing to remember about gift giving, especially this time of year, is not to buy stuff just to buy stuff.  Slow down, really be present with people, and when you do want to give something, consider giving a gift that gives back to our community.  Happy Holidays, everyone.