It’s Time to Sleigh the Holidays!

MILWAUKEE, WI – ‘Tis the season to celebrate! The Historic Third Ward is welcoming the holidays with its highly anticipated 33rd Annual Christmas in the Ward. The event, which welcomes thousands of holiday revelers to the neighborhood each year, will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Catalano Square.

And the Historic Third Ward is unwrapping another gift this season: Christmas in the Ward kicks off a month-long Shop the Ward initiative — including 23 days of Instagram giveaways!

Christmas in the Ward
Christmas in the Ward, Milwaukee’s most beloved old-fashioned Christmas celebration, brings a holly jolly evening of friends, family and holiday cheer to the Third Ward on Dec. 2. Hannah, 95.7 BIG FM’s afternoon drive host, kicks off the evening at 5:30 p.m. with the Milwaukee Police Band.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6 p.m., featuring Milwaukee dignitaries including City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, 4th District Alderman Robert Bauman and Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and performances by Bach Chamber Choir and Renewed Spiritual Gospel Singers. Santa Claus himself will lead the countdown to light the 40-foot Christmas tree, which is decorated with more than 3,000 twinkling lights. Then, just after 7 p.m., the Physicians Realty Trust Fireworks display over the river will dazzle festival goers. Rounding out the evening, The Don Linke Trio will entertain with selections from Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.

In Jolly’s Gingerbread House, kids of all ages can visit with Santa and have their picture taken for a suggested $5 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin (starting at 6:30 p.m.) Plus, don’t miss the live reindeer, cocoa cocktails, mulled wine, tasty s’mores, food trucks and so much more!

Shop the Ward
This season Christmas in the Ward kicks off a month-long Shop the Ward initiative, reminding everyone to support their community by shopping the local businesses of the Historic Third Ward. Shoppers are encouraged to follow @historicthirdward on Instagram to enter to win gift cards to local retailers every day Dec. 3-23.

EVENT SCHEDULE

—Friday, Dec. 2—
5:30-8:30 p.m.:

• Cookie sale benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin.
• Food trucks including Twisted Plants, Meat on the Street and Streetza Pizza line the west side of the 100 block of North Broadway.
• S’mores roasting in Catalano Square with Friends of Lakeshore Park
• Live reindeer and costumed characters in Catalano Square

5:30 p.m. – Milwaukee Police Band

6-7 p.m.:

• Tree lighting ceremony with 95.7 FM’s Hannah, Milwaukee dignitaries and Santa
• Performances by Bach Chamber Choir and Renewed Spiritual Gospel Singers

7 p.m. – Fireworks display over the river, presented by Physicians Realty Trust

6:30-8:30 p.m. – Visit Santa in Jolly’s Gingerbread House. Kids of all ages can visit with Santa and have their picture taken for a suggested $5 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin.

—Saturday, Dec. 3-Friday, Dec. 23—

• Shop the Ward, with daily Instagram gift card giveaways at @historicthirdward

Christmas in the Ward is presented by the Historic Third Ward Association with the support of BID #2, and sponsored by Physicians Realty Trust, We Energies Foundation, Educator’s Credit Union, Town Bank, Hines Development, Joseph Property Development, La Macchia Group, Mandel Group, Eppstein Uhen Architects, HGA, Milwaukee Artist Resource Network, Milwaukee World Festival, MKE Benefits and Andrew & Tracey Wadsworth, Russ Darrow Group and Urban Law.

Pre-event and on-site Interview opportunities are available with Jim Plaisted, Executive Director, Historic Third Ward Association. For more information about Christmas in the Ward and Shop the Ward, visit https://historicthirdward.org/experience/events/christmas-in-the-ward-plus-shop-the-ward/.

ABOUT THE HISTORIC THIRD WARD ASSOCIATION

Established in 1976, the Historic Third Ward Association acts as a catalyst to guide the district as an innovative, livable, and exciting mixed-use neighborhood while preserving its historic and creative character.

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.