Brookfield and Elm Grove will celebrate the holiday season with family-friendly events. Scroll down for events in the City and Town of Brookfield and Village of Elm Grove.

City of Brookfield

This year, Brookfield is combining its tree lighting ceremony and visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus with a German-themed market with vendors and dancers. It's in celebration of Brookfield's sister city of Seligenstadt, Germany. The free event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.

Bring a letter for Santa to mail in the mailbox in the City Hall clock tower, and Santa will answer any letters delivered there.

The tree lighting and carols will be in the Civic Center plaza next to City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Rd., and the Senior Community Center will have refreshments, holiday entertainment and crafts.

German sausages, hot dogs, beverages and mulled cider will be available, and German singers and dancers from the United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee. More details:

Outside on Civic Plaza stage:

3 to 7 p.m.: Holiday Hay Rides
3 to 3:30 p.m.: Brookfield East High School choirs
3:30 to 4 p.m.: Brookfield Central High School choirs
4:15 to 4:30 p.m.: Kindergruppe Dance (ages 3-12)
4:30 to 4:45 p.m.: Jugengruppe Dance (ages 13-24)
4:45 to 5 p.m.: TREE LIGHTING (Holiday songs by children from Mary Linsmeier School)
5 to 5:15 p.m.: Kulturgruppe singing
5:15 to 5:45 p.m.: Nora Collins (Guitar/Singer)
5:45 to 6:15 p.m.: Alex Siy (Finger Guitarist-Holiday Music)
6:15 to 6:45 p.m.: Brookfield Central High Jazz Ensemble

Inside City Hall and Senior Center:

3 to 6:45 p.m. (City Hall lobby): Write and/or mail letters to Santa
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Senior Center): Story time
3:30 to 6:45 p.m. (Senior Center): Crafts for Kids
4:30 to 6:45 p.m. (Council Room): Santa & Mrs. Claus - Photos (photos will be emailed upon request)

Town of Brookfield

Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the Town Fire Department at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 in the lower level parking lot, 645 Janacek Rd.

Families can drink hot chocolate, eat cookies and refreshments, sing holiday carols with elementary school students and see the "Celebration of Lights," says the town which promises "a whole lot of fun." Bring a camera and take photos of the Clauses and the festivities.

Village of Elm Grove

The annual "Lights of Love" village tree-lighting ceremony events will be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at Village Hall, 13600 Juneau Blvd.

Organized by the Friends of the Elm Grove Library, the event starts with children making holiday cards and crafts from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the library. The tree lighting and carols with a Brookfield East High School string quartet will be from 4:30 to 5 p.m., followed by a holiday reception from 5 to 6 p.m.

A Lionel model train set will be on display, including the Polar Express.