Jingle Bus tour captures downtown Milwaukee’s lights and sights for $2
See downtown Milwaukee’s festive panorama with a 40-minute narrated tour, Thursdays through Sundays, until Dec. 30
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (December 7, 2018) – Downtown Milwaukee continues to beam brightly now through Jan. 1 as more than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays remain aglow for the 20th Annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival.
The annual display of lights, coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, includes themed installations in three parks—“Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Candy Cane Cove” at Pere Marquette Park and “Santa’s Lighted Lodge” at Zeidler Union Square—as well as street decorations along three downtown thoroughfares, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue.
Families can view all the decorated sights aboard the Jingle Bus presented by Meijer. The 40-minute tour, narrated by Milwaukee Downtown’s Public Service Ambassadors, is a no-fuss way to see the magic of downtown. Tours depart from the Plankinton Clover Apartments, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, until Dec. 30. Rides are just $2 per person, cash only, and parking is available in the attached structure for $3. While waiting to board, families are invited to enjoy free treats and a holiday coloring activity.
“The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Jingle Bus is an annual tradition for many Milwaukee-area families,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “Through our partnerships with Coach USA and Meijer, we’re delighted to continue offering this convenient and wallet-friendly activity to our residents and guests.”
For more information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival or Jingle Bus service, call 414.220.4700 or visit www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.
The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is sponsored by We Energies Foundation, Madison Medical Affiliates, Zilber Property Group, Ideal Property Management, VISIT Milwaukee, Meijer, Coach USA, Interstate Parking, Plankinton Clover Apartments, UNISON, Edvest, WISN 12, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 95.7 WRIT, OnMilwaukee.com, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Parks, and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21.
About Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21
Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21, is an organization established in 1998 to support the interests of the downtown Milwaukee business community. Created through private sector leadership, Milwaukee Downtown is a management district organization that
oversees 150 square blocks representing approximately 500 property owners in the center of downtown Milwaukee. The organization funds specific initiatives aimed at creating a clean, safe and friendly downtown, including the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival.
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.
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