MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, marks both Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah. This has only happened five times in more than 114 years and won't occur again until 2035.

So, CBS 58 decided to head out and explore the city to find out how Milwaukeeans are celebrating this holiday season and what traditions, if any, they are looking forward to the most.

Near the Historic Third Ward, Saudia Davis and Tony Wilkins had stopped for a quick bite to eat on their trip from Kohler back to Chicago.

"In my family, we are competitive bakers," Davis said. "Oh my gosh, it's sopapillas, it's brownies, it's ganache."

The winner of the annual competition receives a rolling pin with their name on it, which Davis received one year for her triple chocolate ganache cake, while her lemon meringue pie placed second.

"It's the love we put into baking, the love that we share during this holiday season." Davis said. "So, to come together and share and have fun in a competitive way that fills our belly and tastes a little sweet!"

Wilkins said while this year the two are spending the holiday with each other, he also highlights the love between his five other siblings.

"We, with modern technology, have started sending the most ridiculous gifts back and forth," Wilkins said laughingly. "We have one brother, who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent, who when we see that his gift is coming through, you have to pull off to the side of the road and just not be driving because you'll be laughing or cracking up."

Just a few blocks away at Red Arrow Park, Sarah Dakwar was skating in circles on the popular outdoor rink.

"Being on the ice makes me super happy," Dakwar said.

Since she and her family are Muslim, they focus on just spending quality time with loved ones.

"Especially during this time of year when we all have off, it's a good time when we're all so busy with our work schedules and lives," Dakwar said. "Just being out with the family and enjoying the time together."

However, some traditions even cross international borders, like for Li-Chih Tsai who is originally from Taiwan and is earning his PhD from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"We still celebrate Christmas but it's more commercially [in Taiwan]," Tsai said. "People are having more fun on gift-giving but here, people are spending more time with family."

Tsai said he loves looking at the sights and decorations in America and visiting classic events like Candy Cane Lane.

"I should say it's a lot different!" Tsai said. "You can feel the vibe."

For others, traditions can be as simple as going out to Chinese for a Christmas Eve dinner.

"I didn't want to have to cook!" said Lauren Rea of Wauwatosa. "We loved the restaurant so we're definitely going back there next year."

Her daughter, Katie, agreed, noting it's important to "not let traditions fade."

"I think it's really important because it makes you feel like you have something special that not every family is doing," Rea said. 

If you would like to share a favorite holiday tradition, click here.