Next Week: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Invites Residents to Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

MILWAUKEE – On Tuesday, December 2, at 3:30 PM, County Executive David Crowley invites the community to attend the annual Milwaukee County Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Rotunda. The ceremony will feature music, a visit from Santa, and fun festivities for the entire family.

“The Milwaukee County Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is a special, annual tradition that brings our community together to celebrate this joyful season with friends and neighbors,” said County Executive Crowley. “I invite residents and families to come out, help us light up this year’s tree, and enjoy the beginning of the holidays in Milwaukee County.”

This year’s Milwaukee County Holiday Tree was harvested from Sandhill Tree Farm, in partnership with Milwaukee County Parks. The holiday tree will be decorated with handmade ornaments crafted by local elementary students. Milwaukee County once again collaborated on the handmade ornaments with Arts @ Large, a local nonprofit that helps Milwaukee kids access arts education. Arts @ Large engaged K4 through 8th grade students from across Milwaukee County to decorate the ornaments, providing a hands-on creative experience that celebrates memory, artistry, and the joy of the season. Recently, County Executive Crowley joined students from Thurston Woods Public School to decorate ornaments for the 2025 Milwaukee County Holiday Tree. This week, Crowley joined Arts @ Large and the Milwaukee County facilities department to help decorate the holiday tree with the students’ ornaments.

In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, the event will serve as a drop-off location for the 2025 Holiday Drive. Milwaukee County is teaming up with the City of Milwaukee and the Brewers Community Foundation to collect donations for families in need. This year’s Holiday Drive will benefit the American Red Cross of Wisconsin to help support families this holiday season, specifically improving the lives of those who have experienced home fires. Community members attending the ceremony are encouraged to bring new items from the donation wish list. More information about the 2025 Holiday Drive, including a list of requested donations, is available HERE.

Attendees and media are encouraged to arrive early to allow ample time to go through courthouse security. Media is encouraged to RSVP to press@milwaukeecountywi.gov.

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.