Forest Home Cemetery Events Guide 2025

Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum offers four major fall events in 2025, celebrating Milwaukee's oldest cemetery as it marks its 175th anniversary. This historic landmark combines Victorian funeral traditions, natural beauty, and cultural celebrations across 189 acres of accredited arboretum. However, research revealed that the Fall Tree Festival on November 8, 2025, does not appear to be a scheduled event, while the other three events offer rich programming for history enthusiasts and nature lovers.

About Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum

Milwaukee's historic heart beats strongest at Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum, established in 1850 as Wisconsin's premier Victorian garden cemetery. Designed by Wisconsin's first naturalist Increase A. Lapham, this 189-acre site serves as Milwaukee's only accredited arboretum, a National Register landmark, and the final resting place for over 118,000 people including beer barons, Harley-Davidson founders, and Broadway legends Alfred Lunt & Lynn Fontanne.

The cemetery features 200+ tree species, rolling terrain with ornate Victorian monuments, and the stunning 1892 Gothic chapel designed by Ferry & Clas (architects of the Pabst Mansion). From beer barons in the "Brewers' Quarters" to 1,000+ Civil War veterans, Forest Home preserves Milwaukee's most compelling stories while functioning as a peaceful urban oasis welcoming cyclists, dog walkers, and picnickers daily.

Location: 2405 W Forest Home Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily, office Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Contact: (414) 645-2632 | foresthomecemetery.com
Parking: Free throughout cemetery roads
Accessibility: Paved paths suitable for most mobility levels

Doors Open Milwaukee - September 27-28, 2025

Milwaukee's premier architectural celebration extends to two days in 2025, offering unprecedented access to Forest Home's historic structures during the event's 15th anniversary weekend.

What makes this special

The Upper Midwest's first crematory opens its doors alongside the landmark chapel, revealing spaces normally closed to the public. Built in 1896 underneath the Gothic chapel, the crematory features original equipment including casket elevators, family waiting rooms with marble walls, and dual retorts that operated for 100 years. Visitors access the receiving vault where Captain Frederick Pabst's body awaited ground thaw, plus the historic chapel's double conservatories and original architectural details.

Schedule and activities

Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Free activities include chapel tours, crematory access, Halls of History museum, and self-guided cemetery exploration. The cemetery bike tour ($11.79) departs Saturday at 10:00 AM for 1.5 hours of guided history - participants must bring bicycles and register through Eventbrite.

175th anniversary bonus: Free cake for visitors while supplies last, celebrating Forest Home's founding in 1850.

No registration required for free activities; bike tour requires advance booking and typically sells out. The event proceeds rain or shine with indoor alternatives available.

Día de los Muertos Festival - October 25, 2025

Forest Home transforms into Milwaukee's most significant Day of the Dead celebration, honoring the Latino community that has become the largest demographic surrounding the cemetery.

Cultural programming and significance

The festival bridges Mexican traditions with Milwaukee history, featuring community ofrendas (altars) created by Latinas Unidas en las Artes displayed in the 1892 Gothic chapel. These altars honor COVID-19 victims, indigenous women, and Latinx artists, surrounded by traditional cempazuchitl marigolds, candles, and papel picado decorations.

Live entertainment includes mariachi bands, traditional music and dance performances, while food trucks serve authentic Mexican cuisine. Family-friendly activities feature face painting, crown-making, and cultural education about Day of the Dead customs.

Event details

Date: October 25, 2025
Schedule: 5K starts 9:00 AM, festival 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Admission: FREE family event
5K Registration: Separate fee benefits cemetery maintenance

The celebration authentically honors loved ones who have passed while showcasing Forest Home's role in Milwaukee's diverse community history.

Guided Tours Through November 2025

Forest Home offers expert-led historical tours exploring Victorian funeral traditions, beer baron legacies, and notable burials, though availability becomes limited as winter approaches.

Tour themes and scheduling

Historical walking tours cover Victorian funerary traditions ("The Good Death"), beer barons and Milwaukee history, women of influence, Black Milwaukeeans' stories of strength, and environmental stewardship. Specialty options include 1.5-hour bicycle tours and private themed experiences.

Peak season runs May through October with limited November availability for public tours. Private tours remain available year-round by arrangement. Most walking tours last 1-2 hours and require advance registration through Eventbrite due to limited space.

Pricing: Typically $10 for public walking tours, with private tour costs varying. Self-guided exploration remains free with cemetery maps available.

Fall foliage timing

Milwaukee's peak fall colors typically occur October 21-28, extending into early November. Forest Home's 200+ tree species create spectacular displays best viewed during warm sunny days followed by cool nights.

Fall Tree Festival Update - November 8, 2025

Research found no confirmed Fall Tree Festival scheduled for November 8, 2025. Instead, Forest Home offers ongoing tree-related programming including educational tours about their arboretum status, tree planting events, and self-guided exploration of 200+ species year-round.

Visitors seeking tree-focused experiences should consider the guided arboretum tours available through October or self-guided visits during peak fall foliage season in late October and early November.

Visitor information and policies

Registration and ticketing

Public tours require advance registration through Eventbrite (search "Forest Home Historic Preservation Association"). Major events like Día de los Muertos offer free admission, while specialized tours typically cost $10. Private tours need direct arrangement with cemetery staff.

Current policies

Photography: Personal photography welcomed; cemetery reserves rights to event images. COVID protocols: No special requirements as of 2025. Permitted items: Bicycles, leashed dogs, picnic supplies, cameras, and refreshments welcome.

What visitors can expect: Forest Home encourages recreational use including walking, jogging, cycling, dog-walking, and picnicking across nearly 200 acres of Victorian landscape and natural beauty.

Conclusion

Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum's 2025 programming celebrates both milestone anniversaries and ongoing community traditions. The Doors Open weekend provides rare access to historic structures, Día de los Muertos showcases authentic cultural celebration, and guided tours through November offer expert insights into Milwaukee's fascinating history. While the Fall Tree Festival appears unconfirmed for November 8, visitors can explore one of Wisconsin's finest arboretums year-round, with peak fall beauty occurring in late October. This unique combination of history, culture, and natural splendor makes Forest Home an exceptional destination for understanding Milwaukee's past while enjoying its present-day community spirit.