Where to Get Advent Calendars in Milwaukee: Your 2025 Guide

Milwaukee shoppers have access to over 50 local retailers offering advent calendars from budget chocolate options to $860 luxury beauty collections, with standout local options including MobCraft Beer's craft beer calendar and Fazio's anniversary chocolate collection. The greater Milwaukee area offers everything from major chains like Target and Ulta to independent boutiques in the Third Ward and local chocolatiers, but the best selections sell out by mid-November, making early shopping essential for 2025.

Whether you're seeking a simple chocolate countdown for the kids or a premium wine collection for yourself, Milwaukee's diverse retail landscape delivers. The city's mix of big-box stores, specialty shops, and authentic local makers means you can find calendars featuring everything from LEGO Star Wars sets to Wisconsin-made cheeses. Here's exactly where to shop locally for advent calendars this season.

Sweet traditions: Chocolate and candy calendars

Milwaukee's grocery stores and chocolate shops offer the widest price range for advent calendars, from Trader Joe's legendary $1.49 option to premium local chocolatiers charging $90 for artisan collections. Pick 'n Save locations throughout the metro area stock Lindt Teddy Bear calendars for $12.99 and Kinder calendars for just $4.99, while Galerie character-themed options (Bluey, Hello Kitty) ring up at $2.49.

For authentic Milwaukee chocolate experiences, Fazio's Chocolate in Elm Grove crafted a special 10th-anniversary calendar featuring 25 sweet treats for $89.95. The box showcases a painting of their shop exterior and includes their signature creations, available for pickup or shipping. Meanwhile, Melt Chocolates on South 1st Street stands as Milwaukee's only internationally award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier, with viewing windows where you can watch the production process (open Friday-Saturday).

The Delicious Wisconsin Advent Calendar ($159) represents Milwaukee's collaborative spirit, featuring treats from Kehr Chocolates, Freese's Candy Shoppe at Milwaukee Public Market, and Ultimate Confections in Wauwatosa alongside other Wisconsin makers. This calendar typically sells out by mid-November and ships before Thanksgiving, run by the team behind Milwaukee Food Tours.

Historic Milwaukee chocolate institutions deserve attention too. Burke Candy has served three generations over 80+ years from locations in Whitefish Bay and on Fratney Street, specializing in sea salt caramels and small-batch gourmet confections. Indulgence Chocolatiers operates three metro locations (Brady Street, Brookfield, Shorewood) where artisan chocolates become edible art. Target and Walmart carry mainstream brands like Lindt, Cadbury, and Kinder across their numerous Milwaukee locations, with Target offering same-day delivery and drive-up options.

Beauty and skincare: Premium self-care countdowns

Ulta's 24 Days of Beauty calendar delivers the best value at $79 (worth $264+) with full-size products from Olaplex, Sunday Riley, and Tarte. Four Ulta locations serve the Milwaukee area—Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Waukesha, and an Ulta-at-Target in West Milwaukee—all stocking multiple calendar options from budget-friendly to luxury.

Sephora's flagship 25 Days of Beauty Must Haves ($99, worth $269) sold out online but may still be available at the standalone Mayfair Mall location or the ten Sephora-at-Kohl's shops scattered across Milwaukee, including downtown, Bayshore, West Allis, and Greenfield. The Sephora Collection house-brand calendar offers a more accessible $55 entry point with 12 full-size products.

Department stores add luxury options to the mix. Nordstrom at Mayfair stocks premium calendars including the Jo Malone 25-Day Ornament Collection ($240) and the extravagant Sisley Paris calendar ($860, worth $1,792). Macy's at Mayfair offers multiple options from $75 to $290, including their 25 Days of Beauty for $99 and the EVE LOM 12 Day luxury option.

Budget-conscious shoppers should check Ulta's JoyBright 12 Days of Beauty at just $22.50 (worth $138), featuring brands like Fenty Beauty, Tarte, and Clinique. Walgreens and CVS locations throughout Milwaukee carry their own 12 Days of Beauty calendars in the $25-$50 range, perfect for casual gift-giving or personal indulgence.

Local spas like Neroli Salon & Spa (Third Ward and North Shore), Bloom Skin Spa in Walkers Point, and WELL Spa at The Pfister Hotel may carry boutique beauty brands like Aveda or medical-grade skincare advent calendars—worth calling ahead to confirm their seasonal offerings.

LEGO, toys, and kids' calendars

The LEGO Store at Mayfair Mall serves as Milwaukee's exclusive destination for the complete 2025 LEGO advent calendar line, including the brand-new Minecraft calendar ($26.99-$44.99). Star Wars fans will find Babu Frik, B-2EMO, and Sith C-3PO waiting in their $31.49-$39.99 calendar, while Harry Potter devotees get a Great Hall Christmas scene with multiple characters for $39.99-$44.99.

Independent toy stores offer personalized service and curated selections. Learning Express Toys in Brookfield (262-785-0425) provides trending toys with free gift wrapping, while Ruckus & Glee in Wauwatosa (ruckusandglee.com) specializes in educational toys with online ordering and curbside pickup. Winkie's Toys in Whitefish Bay has served Milwaukee families for over 50 years from their basement location, offering free gift wrap and parking lot pickup.

Rainbow Booksellers for Children on West Vliet Street stands as Milwaukee's only remaining children's bookstore within city limits, offering 25% off cover prices on quality children's books and likely stocking book-themed advent calendars. Other independent bookstores like Boswell Book Company on Downer Avenue and Little Read Book in Wauwatosa Village may carry literary countdown options.

Barnes & Noble operates three Milwaukee-area locations (Bayshore, Mayfair Mall, Brookfield Square) with robust toy sections alongside books, making them reliable sources for character-themed calendars. Target and Walmart stock extensive toy calendar selections from $20-$50, including Hot Wheels ($35.98-$39.99), Barbie ($39.99+), and Pokémon Trading Card Game Holiday Calendars ($49.99) with booster packs and foil cards.

Educational options include National Geographic Science Kits ($40-50), Thames & Kosmos STEM calendars ($45-60), and Purple Cow Crazy Scientist sets ($30-40) covering physics, chemistry, and robotics—available primarily online but worth checking at Learning Express and Ruckus & Glee.

Raise a glass: Wine, beer, and spirits calendars

Total Wine & More operates two convenient Milwaukee locations—Brookfield (17300 W. Bluemound Rd.) and Greenfield (8700 W. Sura Ln.)—both carrying their Wine Adventure Advent Calendar for $80. This collection features 24 mini bottles (187ml each, roughly one glass) from France, Spain, Chile, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and South Africa, with QR codes providing detailed wine information. These calendars consistently sell out by early-to-mid November, and Wisconsin law requires in-store pickup (no delivery for wine).

Milwaukee's own MobCraft Beer at 505 S. 5th Street in Walker's Point crafted a distinctly local option: the MobCraft Beer & Friends Advent Calendar ($65-$75). This collection includes 24 unique craft beers—year-round flagships, seasonal releases, barrel-aged selections, and collaborations with Wisconsin breweries like Indeed, Broken Bat, and Supermoon. Pre-orders open mid-October for taproom pickup, though the calendar also appears at Discount Liquor (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave, open daily except Sunday afternoons), Sendik's locations, Outpost Natural Foods, and Festival Foods throughout the metro area.

Wisconsin law requires face-to-face alcohol transactions at retail, with valid ID for anyone 21+. Most online alcohol advent calendar companies can ship to Wisconsin addresses with adult signature required, but purchasing locally at Total Wine, Discount Liquor, or MobCraft's taproom avoids shipping complications entirely.

Online options shipping to Wisconsin include GiveThemBeer.com's craft beer calendar ($85 for 12 cans) and various whiskey collections from Flaviar (premium pricing with membership included) and The Mixologer ($85 for 24 spirits, use code ADVENT15). The Moth offers cocktail advent calendars with 24 ready-mixed drinks including Cosmopolitans, Margaritas, and Espresso Martinis.

Beyond chocolate: Specialty and gourmet calendars

The Delicious Wisconsin Advent Calendar ($159, with a 12 Days version at $99) celebrates local food culture with contributions from Kehr Chocolates, Freese's Candy Shoppe, Ultimate Confections, Devour in South Milwaukee, Potter's Crackers, East Shore Mustard from Hartland, and over 20 other Wisconsin businesses. Orders ship November 13-22 before Thanksgiving through deliciousfooddelivered.com (888-426-1993), with corporate discounts for 25+ calendars.

Cheese lovers should explore Cheese Brothers' "12 Days of Cheesemas" ($105-$120), a Wisconsin company shipping 12 full-sized blocks of artisan cheese (5-8 oz each) including curds, aged varieties, and specialty selections. Ships between November 24-December 5 with free cold pack shipping nationwide. For budget-conscious cheese fans, ALDI stocks their Emporium Selection European Cheese Calendar for approximately $16.99, arriving the first Wednesday of November in limited quantities—24 half-ounce samples showcasing European varieties.

Costco warehouses in Grafton, New Berlin, Pewaukee, and Menomonee Falls (note: no Costco currently exists in Milwaukee County proper, though Franklin will get one in late 2026) carry exclusive items like the 5-foot-tall Lindt Chocolate Advent Calendar (approximately $150) with 24 full-sized bars and holiday treats, plus the Slatkin + Co candle calendar ($34.99) with 12 holiday-scented 6-hour candles.

Pet parents can find dog and cat advent calendars at Petco and national retailers ($12-$50) featuring treats, toys, and catnip surprises. Milwaukee's excellent coffee roasters like Colectivo Coffee, Valentine Coffee Co., and Imperial Coffee Roasters may offer holiday specials worth inquiring about, though no local coffee advent calendars were confirmed for 2025.

Create your own: DIY and fillable calendar

Michaels operates six Southeast Wisconsin locations including 3545 S 27th St in Milwaukee (414-644-8010), now carrying former Joann Fabrics brands after that chain's 2025 closure. Their Woodpeckers wooden DIY advent calendar with empty drawers sells for $45.49, providing a reusable foundation for years of customized countdowns.

Hobby Lobby in West Allis (6900 W Greenfield Avenue) stocks paper mache advent boxes, felt pocket craft kits, wooden village sets, and spinning calendar bases, with regular 40-50% off sales on specific categories (closed Sundays). Walmart offers the most affordable empty calendars starting at $8.49 for 24-day boxes, with fabric pocket options at $21.90.

Target and craft stores provide abundant filling supplies: wrapped chocolates, small toys, stickers, hair accessories, jewelry items, tea bags, hot chocolate packets, mini beauty products, and activity cards. The DIY approach allows complete customization for dietary restrictions, age appropriateness, or budget constraints, with total project costs ranging from $20-$70 depending on materials and fillings chosen.

Local treasures: Milwaukee's boutiques and shops

The Historic Third Ward concentrates Milwaukee's boutique shopping with MOD GEN's modern general store aesthetic (house plants and local crafts), Broadway Paper for cards and stationery, and fashion boutiques like Lela (321 N Broadway, 414-727-4855), which has offered high-end consignment and local designers since 2003. Third Point of View serves treasure hunters with unique gifts, antiques, and vintage clothing.

Bay View's Sparrow Collective celebrated its 10th anniversary selling men's, women's, and children's clothing alongside Milwaukee-themed jewelry, candles, bath products, and handbags. Plume combines vintage clothing from the '50s-'70s with jewelry by local artists, while Mod Gen's Bay View location echoes the Third Ward shop with plants and home goods.

Mixed Bag MKE in Whitefish Bay curates gifts from local, Midwest, and national makers for all ages in their woman-owned shop. Winkie's operates two floors in Whitefish Bay as a licensed Hallmark shop with candy, gifts, ornaments, and retro items—a family-owned institution perfect for advent calendar supplies or small gifts to fill DIY calendars.

While these boutiques may not stock major-brand advent calendars, they excel at providing unique, locally-made items perfect for filling custom calendars or discovering one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. The Urban Cottage functions as an "old time variety store" with fabric, yarn, sewing notions, and quirky gifts spanning all ages.

Holiday markets and seasonal shopping events

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival begins late November 2025 across four downtown parks (Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette, Red Arrow Park, Zeidler Union Square) with over 500,000 lights, an ornament trail on Wisconsin Avenue, and ice skating at Red Arrow Park—all completely free. This 26th annual tradition creates a festive shopping atmosphere for visiting Third Ward boutiques and the Milwaukee Public Market.

The inaugural Deer District Holiday Market (November 21-30, 2025) brings local vendors to Fiserv Forum's plaza, while the Hover Craft Holiday Market—dubbed "the holiday market of all holiday markets" by Milwaukee Magazine—features 120+ local artists, designers, and makers in an annual tradition showcasing authentic Milwaukee creativity.

North Shore communities host their own celebrations. Whitefish Bay's Black Friday Parade & Tree Lighting represents "the biggest event of the season" with daytime shopping, an evening parade, and Santa's arrival. Shorewood Winterfest (December 6, 3:30-6:30 PM) features Santa on a vintage sleigh and tree lighting at Wood Square, while Mequon Winter Wonderland (December 7) combines Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations.

Worth a drive: The Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake (December 6-15, $7 admission) showcases Czech blown-glass ornaments, German hand-carved nutcrackers, Russian nesting dolls, and international artisans in heated tents modeled after Nuremberg's famous Christkindlesmarkt.

Smart shopping: Timing, pricing, and strategy

Act before mid-November if you want MobCraft Beer calendars, the Delicious Wisconsin calendar, Total Wine's Wine Adventure, or Trader Joe's $1.49 chocolate option—these local favorites sell out annually. LEGO's new Minecraft calendar and perennial favorites like Star Wars disappear quickly from the Mayfair LEGO Store, Target, and Walmart.

Price ranges guide expectations: Budget chocolate options span $1.49-$15 at Trader Joe's, Pick 'n Save, Target, and Walmart. Mid-range selections ($30-$100) include most LEGO sets, Ulta's 24 Days of Beauty, Hot Wheels, and Barbie calendars. Premium options ($100-$250) feature MobCraft Beer, Wisconsin food calendars, luxury beauty sets, and specialty spirits collections. Ultra-premium ($250+) encompasses Nordstrom's luxury beauty calendars and Costco's 5-foot Lindt tower.

Membership requirements matter: Costco and Sam's Club require paid memberships but offer exclusive premium calendars unavailable elsewhere. Sam's Club locations at 8050 N 124th St in Milwaukee and 1540 S 108th St in West Allis provide alternatives to driving to Costco in Grafton, New Berlin, or Pewaukee.

Shopping conveniences include Target's same-day delivery, drive-up, and order pickup options (free shipping on $35+ orders), plus Kohl's Cash rewards when purchasing Sephora calendars at their downtown Milwaukee or Bayshore locations. Michaels accepts competitors' coupons, while Hobby Lobby rotates 40-50% off sales by category.

Making Milwaukee merry with countdown calendars

Milwaukee's advent calendar landscape reflects the city's character—major retailers provide convenience and selection, while local chocolatiers, craft breweries, and boutique shops offer distinctly Milwaukee experiences. The MobCraft Beer collaboration showcasing Wisconsin breweries, Fazio's anniversary collection, and the Delicious Wisconsin calendar featuring Third Ward and Bay View makers demonstrate how supporting local businesses enriches both your holidays and your community.

Start shopping now rather than waiting until December. The best local options disappear by mid-November, with Trader Joe's budget calendars, MobCraft Beer collaborations, and premium beauty sets from Ulta and Sephora leading the sellout race. Whether you're filling a $8.49 DIY calendar from Walmart or splurging on an $860 Sisley Paris collection at Nordstrom, Milwaukee's 50+ local retailers ensure every budget and interest finds perfect countdown options.

The city's holiday markets, neighborhood boutiques, and historic chocolate shops transform advent calendar shopping from a simple transaction into a seasonal tradition. Visit the Third Ward's twinkling lights, grab a beer at MobCraft's Walker's Point taproom while picking up your calendar, or explore Whitefish Bay's parade before browsing Winkie's two floors of gifts—these experiences make Milwaukee advent calendar shopping memorable beyond the daily chocolate reveal.