Cocoa with the Clauses at Cathedral Square canceled due to Saturday’s frigid forecast

MILWAUKEE (December 11, 2025) – The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival’s Cocoa with the Clauses event, an outdoor meet-and-greet with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a crew of North Pole characters, has been canceled. The event was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cathedral Square Park.

“Out of concern for the safety and well-being of our community and staff, we regret to announce the cancelation of our annual Cocoa with the Clauses event due to the bitter cold forecast,” said Matt Dorner, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “We will continue to monitor weather conditions closely as they relate to other weekend events.”

Cathedral Square Park will continue to host Santa’s Mailbox as an alternative means of delivering wish lists to the jolly old elf. Santa’s Mailbox, sponsored by Educators Credit Union with support from Serving Older Adults and National Association of Letter Carriers – Pioneer Brand 2, will remain stationed in Cathedral Square Park through Sunday, Dec. 14. Children who drop a letter into the mailbox will receive a personalized reply. Postage is not required. Parents and children are reminded to include a return address.

Weather accommodations have been made for two other Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival events:

• Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade – Friday, Dec. 12

Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade loop, departing from the Milwaukee Public Market, traversing Downtown, and ending at the Hoan Bridge, has been amended to three pop-up locations. Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and jazz singer Sarah Fierek will spread cheer on Friday, Dec. 12 with visits to the Milwaukee Public Market’s 2nd level Palm Garden (5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.), Red Arrow Park, inside Biggby Coffee, (6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), and 3rd St. Market Hall, Shuffle Board Court (6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.).

• Jingle Bus Tours – Friday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, Dec. 14

Jingle Bus tours will continue to operate this weekend from Red Arrow Park. Tour check-in has been moved indoors to Biggby Coffee, 920 N. Water St. The comfortable motor coach buses, operated by KB Excursions, will remain heated throughout the evening.

For more information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, call 414.220.4700 or visit www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.

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.