Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane transforms several blocks of West Allis into one of the Milwaukee area’s biggest Christmas light displays, with more than 300 homes covering their yards and houses in elaborate holiday decorations. The free, walk-through and drive-through display fills the neighborhood between 92nd and 96th streets and Montana and Oklahoma avenues, turning an ordinary residential area into a massive seasonal spectacle. Trees throughout the neighborhood are wrapped to look like giant candy canes, and visitors can expect thousands of lights, elaborate displays and plenty of old-school Christmas kitsch.

But Candy Cane Lane is more than a Christmas lights drive. The tradition began in 1986 when West Allis resident Cliff Junck dressed as Santa and handed out candy canes outside his home near 95th and Manitoba. Neighbors eventually turned the informal tradition into an annual fundraiser for the MACC Fund, which supports childhood cancer research. During their 40th season in 2025 they raised $200,258.43. Donations are collected at the official station on 95th Street between Oklahoma Avenue and Manitoba Street.

Admission is free, although donations to the MACC Fund are encouraged. Visitors can drive through with their headlights on or walk the neighborhood, but because this is an active residential area, guests are asked to stay off private property, use crosswalks and watch for traffic.