Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival to brighten downtown visits Nov. 21 – Jan. 1

MILWAUKEE (Sept. 24, 2024) – Holiday cheer returns to Downtown Milwaukee Nov. 21 – Jan. 1 as more than 500,000 festival lights and dozens of animated displays switch on as part of the 26th Annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group.

The six-week festival, coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, will transform three downtown parks into festive winter scenes: “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, sponsored by Madison Medical Affiliates and Ideal Property Management; “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square; and “¡Felices Fiestas! presented by Generac” at Pere Marquette 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.

In addition, last year’s inaugural Ornament Trail will return bigger and better than ever, with nearly 20 super-sized holiday ornaments hand painted by a diverse assortment of acclaimed artists. The holiday baubles’ growing footprint will appear along Wisconsin Avenue and a portion of Water Street. Also returning this year is Santa’s Mailbox sponsored by Educators Credit Union at Cathedral Square Park.

Festivities will begin with a switch-flipping ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave. The highly anticipated show, deemed the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza presented by Johnson Financial Group, will feature live music, dance acts, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a fireworks ceremony and pre-show entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m.

“The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group is a fun and festive tradition for Milwaukee-area families,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “We look forward to delivering another magical season filled with glittery lights and interactive holiday displays where new memories can be ignited.”

More details on the festival and its kickoff ceremony will be available in the coming weeks, including a brochure detailing all the fun events and shows occurring in Downtown Milwaukee during the six-week festival.

For more information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group, 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.