Milwaukee Downtown introduces new Holiday Lights Festival attraction: Ornament Trail

MILWAUKEE (Nov. 1, 2023) – Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 is celebrating this year’s 25th anniversary of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, presented by Johnson Financial Group, with a new attraction along Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street. All season long, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore a brand-new collection of 15 larger-than-life, hand-painted ornaments as part of the new Ornament Trail.

The ornaments along the trail, which are sponsored by downtown properties, local businesses, and organizations, were painted by local and national artists who all have ties to Milwaukee. Artists were selected from a pool of submissions by the Downtown Placemaking Task Force.

“We are thrilled to announce this new feature to the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “There’s no better way to celebrate 25 years of magical moments with Milwaukee-area families than showcasing Milwaukee artists during the holidays.”

The ornaments will be placed at 15 different locations across downtown Milwaukee beginning Nov. 6 and will remain in place through Jan. 6, 2024. An Ornament Trail Activity Guide, featuring coupons for businesses along the trail, will also be produced. Offers range from complimentary hot cocoa from Café at the Pfister to a free scoop of ice cream from Baskin-Robbins, and a free cannoli from Proof Pizza!

The name of each ornament, its sponsor(s), location and artist are as follows:

Untitled by The Couto Brothers, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and the Milwaukee Brewers, will be installed outside of Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons, at 720 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Current Pastimes by Dave Watkins, sponsored by U.S. Bank Center, will be installed outside of the U.S. Bank Center, at 777 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Winter’s Rabbit by Drew York, sponsored by 600 EAST, will be installed outside of 600 EAST Café, at 600 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Winter Reflections by Josephine Rice, sponsored by The Milwaukee Club and Joy Engine, will be installed outside The Milwaukee Club, near Wisconsin Avenue and Jefferson Street.

Lotería Holiday by Nicole Acosta (Pfister Artist-in-Residence), sponsored by The Pfister Hotel, will be installed outside of The Pfister Hotel, at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Jefferson Street.

Merry & Bright in Flight by John Kowalczyk, sponsored by PNC, will be installed outside of PNC, at 411 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Flourish & Frolic by Emma Daisy Gertel, sponsored by Two-Fifty and HNTB, will be located outside of Two-Fifty, at 250 E. Wisconsin Ave.

The Four Graces by Nova Czarnecki, sponsored by Railway Exchange Building and The Colby Abbot Building, will be installed outside of Railway Exchange Building at 229 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Merry in Pink by Monique Machut, sponsored by Chase Tower, will be installed outside of Chase Tower, at 111 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Dwennimmen (Ram’s Horns) by Brad Anthony Bernard and Grace Gasser, sponsored by The Avenue and VISIT Milwaukee, will be installed outside of MIAD Gallery at The Avenue at 301 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Paz, Amor Y Amistad (Peace, Love and Friendship) by Mauricio Ramirez, sponsored by 310W, will be installed outside of The Capital Grille at 310 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Snow Season by CERA, sponsored by HUB640 and the Baird Center, will be installed outside of Kohl’s, at 331 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Painting the Town by Dave Watkins, sponsored by J. Jeffers & Co, will be installed outside of The Clark Building, at 633 W. Wisconsin Ave.

The Joys of Winter by Rozalia Singh, sponsored by Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, will be installed at 1000 N. Water St.

Life Has Always Gathered Here by Jeff Zimpel (Former Saint Kate Artist-in-Residence), sponsored by Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, will be installed on the sidewalk outside the Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, at the corner of Water Street and Kilbourn Avenue.

The Court of Honor, along Wisconsin Avenue between 9th and 10th streets, will also be decorated for the season, creating a bookend for the Ornament Trail. More information on the Ornament Trail and the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, presented by Johnson Financial Group, can be found at 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.