Downtown Milwaukee turns on holiday cheer Thursday
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off to feature music, dancing and fireworks in Pere Marquette Park
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
Milwaukee Downtown names its 2025 Downtown Achievement Award Winners
Oct 17th, 2025 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21Key downtown projects and organizations recognized at Milwaukee Downtown’s 2025 State of Downtown
Halloween Village returns to Baird Community Commons
Oct 2nd, 2025 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21Interactive displays and a giant, walkthrough pumpkin to delight families Oct. 10-31
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week returns August 18
Jul 28th, 2025 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 will host five days of free lunches, Office Challenge Games, giveaways and more
