Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21
Press Release

Downtown Milwaukee turns on holiday cheer Thursday

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off to feature music, dancing and fireworks in Pere Marquette Park

By - Nov 19th, 2014 04:29 pm

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival will light downtown’s parks and streets for the 16th season during its switch-flipping ceremony, the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, on Thursday, Nov. 20 in Pere Marquette Park.

Festivities begin with a holiday variety show at 6 p.m. Highlights include performance ice sculpting by Ice Beat Factory; live music by Chasin’ Mason, Naima Adedapo and Jenny Thiel; radio theater by Wisconsin Hybrid Theater; and dancing by The Dance Academy of Mexico and Studio VIA. The show’s guests of honor, Santa Claus and Billie the Brownie, will flip the switch on downtown’s décor at approximately 6:40 p.m. with Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Chris Abele. A holiday-themed fireworks display will top off the night.

Free hot cocoa and cookies will be available, compliments of Cousins Subs® on Old World Third and State streets, Associated Bank and River’s Edge Catering. Plus, following the park lighting, families are invited to tour downtown Milwaukee’s sights with free Jingle Bus rides. Lighted scenes include “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Candy Cottage Forest” at Pere Marquette Park and “Frosty Frolics” at Zeidler Union Square.

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival will illuminate downtown parks and streets Nov. 20 through Dec. 28. More info is available at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.

WHERE:    Pere Marquette Park – 900 N. Plankinton Ave.

WHEN:    Thursday, Nov. 20

5:45 p.m. – Pre-Show Music by Chasin’ Mason
6 p.m. – Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza Begins
6:40 p.m. – Switch-Flipping Countdown/Fireworks Show
6:40 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Free Jingle Bus Rides

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21

Festive Season Begins Downtown with Holiday Lights Festival kickoff extravaganza on Nov. 21 at Pere Marquette Park

Kickoff ceremony to feature fireworks, giveaways and performances from local entertainers

Downtown Milwaukee’s Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee moves to new Halloween Village at Baird Community Commons on Oct. 26

Downtown’s pumpkin palooza returns with more free goodies and a backdrop of seasonal lights

Halloween lights debut in Downtown Milwaukee as part of new Halloween Village at Baird Community Commons

Interactive displays and a giant, walkthrough pumpkin delighting families now thru Oct. 31

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us