Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival to illuminate downtown Milwaukee
Six-week festival to bundle lighting displays and holiday happenings, Nov. 19 – Dec. 27
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Milwaukee’s downtown will beam brightly Nov. 19 – Dec. 27 as more than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays set the mood for the 17th Annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival.
The annual display of lights is coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21 and includes installations in three parks – Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park and Zeidler Union Square – as well as street decorations along three downtown thoroughfares, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue.
Downtown Milwaukee’s holiday lights will formally turn on with a switch-flipping ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave. The much-anticipated show deemed the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza will feature live music, dance acts, thrilling feats and a visit from Santa Claus. A fireworks ceremony will then top off the night. Free cookies, hot cocoa and Jingle Bus rides will be made available to the thousands of guests in attendance.
Throughout the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, families can view all the decorated sights aboard the Jingle Bus. The 40-minute narrated tour is a no-fuss way to see the magic of downtown. Tours depart from The Shops of Grand Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, until Dec. 27. Rides are just $1 per person and discounted parking is available in The Shops of Grand Avenue’s attached structure. Please note the Jingle Bus will operate free from Pere Marquette Park on kick-off night, Nov. 19. Also, the service will not operate on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
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.
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for Cocoa with the Clauses on Dec. 14
Dec 4th, 2024 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21The free, family-friendly event will offer cookies, hot cocoa and photo ops at Cathedral Square Park
Marvel at Downtown’s holiday lights aboard the Jingle Bus
Dec 2nd, 2024 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21Narrated tours return Thursday through Sunday evening as part of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Ornament Trail returns to Downtown as part of Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Nov 18th, 2024 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 2115 larger-than-life, hand-painted ornaments will be displayed throughout Downtown and the Third Ward
So many people enjoy driving by and seeing these holiday lights, or walking in the park among them, that I’m so glad the tradition continues!