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

MILWAUKEE (November 7, 2024) – Downtown Milwaukee will be filled with “Peace, Love and Lights” as Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 celebrates the 26th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group. The six-week celebration kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave. Live music, dance acts, holiday treats and fireworks make up the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza presented by Johnson Financial Group, a festive jumpstart to the city’s holiday season running through Jan. 1, 2025.

The bright night of festivity will begin at 5:30 p.m. with pre-show entertainment by Kid Boogie Down. Following this dance warm-up, performances by DJ Shawna, Erin Fricker, First Stage, Dance Academy of Mexico, Jenny Thiel, the Marquette University Gospel Choir, Studio K Flamenco and Ben Mulwana will unfold. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also make an appearance. The evening will wrap up with a fireworks show, shortly before 7 p.m. Guests in attendance will receive free cocoa and cookies and can take part in free Jingle Bus rides, operated by KB Excursions, after the fireworks.

After the Nov. 21st kickoff, residents and visitors can view the light displays, coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, through Jan. 1. Four Downtown parks will be transformed into winter wonderland scenes: “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, presented by Madison Medical Affiliates with support from Ideal Property Management; “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square; “¡Felices Fiestas! presented by Generac” at Pere Marquette Park and “Slice of Ice Lights” at Red Arrow Park. Street decorations will also adorn three Downtown thoroughfares, including Wisconsin Avenue, which will feature an 18-block stretch of silver and gold chandeliers suspended above each intersection.

Visitors can see all these sights aboard the Jingle Bus, a 40-minute narrated tour that offers a no-fuss way of viewing all Downtown Milwaukee has to offer during the holiday season. Tours will operate Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 5 – 29, for $8 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

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

The 2024 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is sponsored by Johnson Financial Group, We Energies Foundation, Generac, Madison Medical Affiliates, Ideal Property Management, Visit Milwaukee, Educators Credit Union, National Association of Letter Carriers – Pioneer Branch 2, Serving Older Adults, MGIC, KB Excursions, Taste of Home, Courtyard Milwaukee Downtown, Interstate Parking, WISN 12, 95.7 Big FM, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Parks and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21.

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.