Christmas Mass and Services: Whitefish Bay 2025 Schedule and Times
Whitefish Bay families can choose from several local churches offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services this holiday season, with options spanning Catholic, Lutheran (three synods), Episcopal, and United Methodist traditions. Whether you're seeking a children's pageant, candlelight ceremony, traditional midnight mass, or contemporary family worship, this walkable North Shore community delivers meaningful options within minutes of home.
The 4:00-5:00 PM Christmas Eve window fills fastest across all denominations. Families with young children should plan to arrive 20-30 minutes early for prime seating at these services, or consider later evening options for a more relaxed atmosphere. Most Whitefish Bay churches welcome visitors without reservations, though confirming schedules directly is strongly recommended as final times may shift.
NOTE: Information is accurate when published but verify on church websites for updates or changes
Catholic parishes
Whitefish Bay's two Catholic parishes—both within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee—offer the area's most comprehensive Christmas schedules, including children's programming and multiple mass times spanning late afternoon through late evening.
St. Monica Parish
Address: 5681 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 332-1576
Email: smoffice@stme.church
Website: st-monica.org
St. Monica celebrates over 100 years of serving Whitefish Bay (the first mass was celebrated Christmas Day 1923), making this centennial parish a particularly meaningful choice for Christmas 2025 worship.
Christmas Eve, December 24:
4:15 PM – Children's Christmas Pageant (immediately precedes mass)
4:30 PM – Christmas Eve Mass (new time for 2025)
10:00 PM – Christmas Eve Late Mass
Christmas Day, December 25:
8:00 AM – Christmas Day Mass
10:15 AM – Christmas Day Mass
The Children's Christmas Pageant features students in grades K4 through 8th grade performing the nativity story before the 4:30 PM mass. Rehearsals take place December 15 and December 18. This family-friendly early service draws the largest crowds—arrive by 4:00 PM for good seating.
Livestream available at stme.church or search "STME Parishes" on Apple TV or Roku. Elevator entrance accessible from the parking lot. No reservations required. Confession available Tuesdays 7:00-7:30 AM, Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM, and Saturdays 8:30 AM (no confessions Christmas Day).
Holy Family Parish
Address: 4825 North Wildwood Avenue, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 332-9220
Website: hfparish.org
One of the North Shore's largest Catholic parishes, Holy Family has served the community since 1949 with the mission "Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples." The parish operates a top-rated school earning "Exemplary" status from the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
Christmas 2025 Schedule: Contact the parish directly at (414) 332-9220 for confirmed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mass times. The schedule was not published online at time of research.
Holy Family uniquely offers a French Mass on Sundays at 12:30 PM with Order of Worship books providing English/French translations—families may want to inquire whether this tradition continues for Christmas. The perpetual adoration chapel is open Monday-Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Directions: I-43 north, exit at Hampton Avenue East, travel 3/4 mile to the church at the southwest corner of Hampton and Wildwood Avenues.
Lutheran churches
Wisconsin's strong Lutheran heritage is well represented in Whitefish Bay with three congregations spanning the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), LCMS (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod), and WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)—offering families choices from progressive to confessional to conservative worship styles.
Bay Shore Lutheran Church (ELCA)
Address: 1200 East Hampton Road, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 332-6436
Email: contact@bayshorelutheran.org
Website: bayshorelutheran.org
Founded in 1929, Bay Shore emphasizes "radical welcome to all people" and intergenerational ministry. The congregation describes itself as inclusive and welcoming, with the motto "All Means All."
Christmas 2025 Schedule: Contact the church at (414) 332-6436 for confirmed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service times. Regular Sunday worship is at 9:30 AM.
Services are livestreamed on YouTube at @bayshorelutheranchurchwhit1998. Children's programs include Sunday School for ages 3 through 5th grade (first and third Sundays) and Little Lambs for ages 2-4. On-site parking available; wheelchair accessible facility.
Our Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS)
Address: 6021 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 332-4458
Website: oursaviorwfb.com
This confessional Lutheran congregation, founded December 13, 1933, follows historic liturgy according to the Book of Concord. Senior Pastor Rev. Michael Henrichs (serving since 2003) is a contributor to "The Lutheran Study Bible," while organist/choir director Ben Culli brings professional music direction.
Christmas 2025 Schedule: Contact the church at (414) 332-4458 for confirmed service times. Traditional LCMS congregations typically offer Christmas Eve candlelight services and Christmas Day Divine Service.
Regular services include Sunday Divine Service at 9:00 AM followed by Sunday School and Bible Class at 10:30 AM. Expect organ-led liturgical worship with traditional hymns from the Lutheran tradition.
Divinity-Divine Charity Lutheran Church (WELS)
Address: 900 East Henry Clay Street, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 964-8660
Email: pastor@DDClutheran.org
Website: ddclutheran.org
Known as DDC Lutheran, this congregation was founded in 1965 and follows Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod doctrine with the mission to "positively impact people with and through the Word of God."
Christmas 2025 Schedule: Contact the church at (414) 964-8660 for confirmed Christmas service times. Regular Sunday worship is at 10:00 AM.
Pastor meetings can be scheduled via Calendly at calendly.com/mpbartsch/30min (open to all). Street parking and lot space available.
Protestant churches
United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay
Address: 819 East Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 964-2424
Email: enorris@umcwfb.org
Website: umcwfb.org
This vibrant congregation boasts exceptional music programming that makes Christmas worship particularly special: a 40-member Chancel Choir, 20-member Praise Team, children's choirs, and five-octave handbell choir.
Christmas Eve, December 24:
4:00 PM – Contemporary Christmas Eve Worship (1-hour service in Sanctuary)
Christmas Day: Service not listed
Don't miss the Festival Worship on December 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM featuring all music ensembles performing together, followed by complimentary brunch—an excellent pre-Christmas celebration for families who appreciate choral and instrumental music.
Regular services offer both contemporary (9:00 AM) and traditional (10:30 AM) options. Nursery care provided at all services. Services livestream on YouTube. Office hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM.
Christ Church Episcopal
Address: 5655 North Lake Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 964-3368
Email: seth@christchurchwfb.org (Rector: Rev. Seth Dietrich)
Website: christchurchwfb.org
Founded in 1931, Christ Church combines Anglican liturgical tradition with an embracing welcome to all. The congregation describes itself as "a motley bunch of seekers"—about a third grew up Episcopal, a third Roman Catholic, and a third in various Protestant denominations.
Christmas 2025 Schedule: Contact the church at (414) 964-3368 for confirmed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service times. The church typically hosts family and late-evening services on Christmas Eve.
2025 Christmas Pageant is listed on the church calendar—contact for specific date and time. Children's Formation includes Chapel/Godly Play for K4-3rd grade during the 9:30 AM service, plus Sunday School for K-8th grade following worship.
ASL interpreter available on the second Sunday of each month at the 9:30 AM service. Nursery care for children birth to age 3. Services are livestreamed with archives available on the website. Beautiful stained glass windows and traditional choral music September through May.
Nearby churches expand your options
Families willing to travel 5-10 minutes beyond Whitefish Bay borders can access additional services, particularly useful if preferred local times are unavailable.
Fox Point Lutheran Church (ELCA) – 2 miles north
Address: 7510 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Fox Point, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 352-8990
Fox Point Lutheran recently completed an $8 million renovation and offers the area's most comprehensive Christmas Eve schedule:
3:00 PM – "Pageant in a Bag" (designed specifically for families with young children)
4:30 PM – Candlelight Service (no communion)
6:00 PM – Candlelight Service with Communion
9:00 PM – Candlelight Service with Communion
Nursery care available. Livestream on YouTube.
St. Eugene Congregation (Catholic) – Fox Point
Address: 7600 North Port Washington Road, Fox Point, WI 53217
Phone: (414) 918-1100
Email: seoffice@stme.church
Website: steugenecongregation.org
Sister parish to St. Monica (same pastoral staff):
Christmas Eve: 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Christmas Day: 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM
Livestream at steugenecongregation.org/live.
North Shore Presbyterian Church (PC-USA) – Shorewood
Address: 4048 North Bartlett Avenue, Shorewood, WI
Phone: (414) 332-8130
Christmas Eve: 5:00 PM
Historic sanctuary established 1922.
Planning tips for a meaningful Christmas
Arrive early. The 4:00-5:00 PM Christmas Eve services attract the year's largest crowds across all denominations. Plan to arrive 20-30 minutes early for these popular family-friendly times, or consider later services for more available seating.
No reservations required. None of the surveyed Whitefish Bay churches require advance registration for Christmas 2025 services—just show up and worship.
Confirm directly. Several churches had not finalized or published their Christmas schedules at time of research. Call ahead during the week before Christmas to verify times, especially for Holy Family Parish, the Lutheran churches, and Christ Church Episcopal.
Consider livestreaming. For families with sick children, mobility challenges, or scheduling conflicts, livestream options include:
St. Monica/St. Eugene Catholic (stme.church, steugenecongregation.org/live)
United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay (YouTube)
Bay Shore Lutheran (YouTube)
Christ Church Episcopal (website archives)
Accessibility notes. St. Monica offers elevator entrance from parking lot. Christ Church Episcopal provides ASL interpretation monthly. Contact individual churches to confirm specific accessibility accommodations.
Dress expectations. Most Whitefish Bay churches welcome families as they are—you'll see everything from children in holiday sweaters to adults in sport coats. Christ Church Episcopal notes "you'll see a range of attire, from kids dressed in soccer gear to adults wearing sport coats and ties."
Conclusion
Whitefish Bay's seven churches provide Christmas worship options for virtually every Christian tradition and family preference. St. Monica Parish stands out for confirmed programming including the 4:15 PM Children's Christmas Pageant and multiple mass times. The United Methodist Church's exceptional music ministry makes their 4:00 PM service particularly festive. For families seeking later options or the traditional Lutheran or Episcopal experience, calling ahead ensures you'll know exactly what to expect.
The walkable nature of Whitefish Bay means many families can reach multiple churches within minutes, giving you flexibility if your first choice fills up. Whatever your tradition, the community's churches welcome visitors warmly—arrive early, bring your family, and celebrate the wonder of Christmas together.
More Nearby Christmas Mass and Services
Mequon Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass and Services
Whitefish Bay families can choose from several local churches offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services this holiday season, with options spanning Catholic, Lutheran (three synods), Episcopal, and United Methodist traditions. Whether you're seeking a children's pageant, candlelight ceremony, traditional midnight mass, or contemporary family worship, this walkable North Shore community delivers meaningful options within minutes of home.