Globetrotters back in town
It's as much a New Year's Eve tradition in Milwaukee as the return of bone-chilling-cold weather: The Harlem Globetrotters do their thing at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St., Sunday at 1 and 6 p.m. In addition to the team's usual basketball wizardry, the 'Trotters reportedly are showing off their latest innovation: basketball's "4-point line," 30 feet from the basket (the NBA's 3-point line is at the 23 feet, 9 inches. Tickets are $26.50 to $146.50.
Info: bradleycenter.com or harlemglobetrotters.com
Not in Kansas anymore
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, Lion and, of course, Toto, too, are coming this weekend to the Miller High Life Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave., with a touring production of "The Wizard of Oz," described as a "celebration" of the 1939 movie musical. They head down the yellow brick road at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $35 to $80.
Info: millerhighlifetheatre.com
Trans-Siberian's 'Ghosts'
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra pulls into town with an updated staging of its' "Ghosts of Christmas Eve" concert — the brainchild of TSO creator and composer Paul O'Neill, who died in April and whose career and work have been a celebratory focus of the group's winter tour. The show goes on at 3 and 8 p.m. Friday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St. Tickets are $44 to $84.
Info: bradleycenter.com
RELATED: 17 New Year's Eve concert choices for ringing in 2018 in Milwaukee
Taking it to the ice — at night
The Wilson Ice Arena, 4001 S. 20th St., hosts another round of Glow Skate Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. There'll be glow-in-the-dark necklaces, holiday lights, music, prize and a gourmet hot-chocolate bar. Admission is $5 per skater.
Info: wilsonicearena.com
Taking the (brrrr) Plunge
It's time for another Polar Bear Plunge, the Jan. 1 tradition in which scores of hardy (or foolhardy) souls jump into Lake Michigan at Bradford Beach, 2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. The plunge starts at noon Monday. (Be sure to read up on the survival skills required on the plunge's "unofficial official" website.)
Info: polarplungemilwaukee.com
Go fly a kite (or watch someone else do it)
The Milwaukee lakefront's other Jan. 1 tradition, the Cool Fool Kite Festival, takes wing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. In addition to flying your own kite or buying one on site, you can check out Brett Williams (a.k.a. "The Kite Whispererer") and the giant kites of Yves Laforest. There'll be free hot chocolate, coffee and snacks while supplies last, with more available for purchase. Admission is free.
Info: giftofwings.com
New Year's Eve under glass
The Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., hosts its annual New Year's Eve family celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Music, a DJ dance party, storytelling, refreshments and, at 9 p.m., a balloon drop are on the menu. Admission is $10, free for kids 2 and younger.
Info: milwaukeedomes.org
Last call
Holiday displays and other shows wind down this weekend; it's your last chance to catch these.
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival: The sparklers lighting up downtown Milwaukee — including displays filling Pere Marquette Park and Cathedral Square Park — are scheduled to go dark after Monday. Info: milwaukeeholidaylights.com.
RELATED: Christmas 2017: Holiday tree lightings and displays in the Milwaukee area
Kooky Cooky House: Milwaukee's holiday nostalgia time machine, taking us back to the old automated cookie factory at Capitol Court Shopping Center from the 1960s, shuts down after New Year's Day in the Show Dome at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. This weekend's hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7, $5 for kids ages 6 to 17 (up to $8 and $6 on Jan. 1), and free for children 5 and younger. Info: countyparks.com.
BMO Harris Bank holiday display: "A Holiday in King Arthur's Court — The Magic of Camelot," the 45th annual Christmastime exhibit by BMO Harris Bank (and its predecessor, M&I), is showing through Tuesday at the downtown bank, 7700 N. Water St. It's open New Year's Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
"Arsenic & Old Lace": Off the Wall Theatre's production of the screwball comedy about a pair of sisters with an unusual hobby (spoiler: it's murder) winds up its run Sunday at the theater at 127 E. Wells St. Info: offthewalltheatre.com.
REVIEW: 'Arsenic and Old Lace' retains its screwball potency
"Weapons: Beyond the Blade": The exhibit, featuring more than 180 artifacts and objects from the Milwaukee Public Museum's collections connecting culture to warfare over thousands of years, ends on Monday at the museum, 800 W. Wells St. Admission is $21; $16 for seniors 65 and older, college students and active members of the military; $14 for children ages 5 to 12; and free for kids 4 and younger. (That includes general admission to the museum.) Info: mpm.edu/weapons.
Anthony Hernandez retrospective: The show featuring works by American photographer Anthony Hernandez concludes its months-long run Monday at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive. The museum is open (including New Year's Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open Thursdays until 8 p.m.) Admission is $17; $15 for students and seniors 65 and older; and free for museum members and kids 12 and younger. Info: mam.org.