Milwaukee’s downtown will illuminate the city with more than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays during the 22nd annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, Nov. 19 – Jan. 1. This “snowcially-distanced” celebration kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 19 with a special holiday broadcast on WISN 12 at 6:30 p.m., which features an all-new finale that all of Milwaukee will be talking about.
The annual display of lights, coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, will transform three downtown parks into winter wonderland scenes – “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Tinsel Town Express” at Pere Marquette Park and “Polar Plaza powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square – as well as illuminate three downtown thoroughfares, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue.
This year, the festival’s Jingle Bus service will also look slightly different. Pivoting from a warming house and motor coach tour, guests can experience this year’s lighting displays through a virtual or self-guided audio tour of downtown’s most brilliant scenes. The free, self-guided audio tour is available on the iHeartRadio app and features five episodes in both English and Spanish. Just type in “MKE Jingle Bus Tour” in the iHeartRadio app or anywhere where podcasts are hosted. Must-see destinations are also available for exploration at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com, where users can discover lighted scenes from the comfort of home.
Among the new attractions for motorists and pedestrians will be window displays designed by Retailworks Inc. Featuring the likenesses of 15+ well-known Milwaukeeans, the four decorated storefronts can be found at 205 E. Wisconsin Ave., 324 E. Wisconsin Ave., 400 E. Wisconsin Ave. and 733-737 N. Milwaukee St.
Another new highlight of the fest will be grab-and-go treat boxes for taking in the sights. In a new partnership with Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, Milwaukee Food & City Tours will make Jingle Joy Boxes available for purchase in a socially-distanced drive-through at Zeidler Union Square from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays, Dec. 3 – 19. Jingle Joy Boxes are $15 and can be pre-ordered at www.milwaukeefoodtours.com or purchased day of, while supplies last.
Cathedral Square Park will continue the tradition of hosting a direct connection to the North Pole. Santa’s Mailbox presented by Educators Credit Union and Serving Older Adults returns now through Dec. 13. As part of the magic of the season, boys and girls who drop their letters into Santa’s Mailbox will receive a personalized reply in the mail, provided they include a return address. No postage required. New this year, letters can also be mailed directly to Santa for those who are unable to make it to the park. Letters can be mailed to: Santa Claus, PO Box 510290, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Postage will be required for letters mailed via the U.S. Postal service and must be received by Dec. 13 to receive a personalized response.
Ideal Property Management will return to Pere Marquette Park with a pop-up tree lot. Guests can choose from a wide selection of fresh Wisconsin trees, handmade wreaths and Christmas décor from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 23 – Dec. 24. Also returning to Pere Marquette Park this year is an ice carving demonstration on Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while a live reindeer visits the park on Dec. 13 from 1:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Also returning this year is the festival’s annual ornament, hand-carved by local artist Andrew Schumann. Perfect for friends, family or business associates, this year’s featured landmark is the Hoan Bridge. Selected for its newly lit golden arches, guests can experience various lighting elements throughout the season by visiting www.lightthehoan.com. The Hoan Bridge ornament is available for $19.95 plus shipping and handling at shop.milwaukeedowntown.com. A limited number of past editions are available for $24.95 plus shipping and handling.
For more information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, along with other virtual and socially- distanced happenings for the season, visit www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.
The 2020 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is sponsored by We Energies Foundation, Ideal Property Management, Madison Medical Affiliates, Serving Older Adults, Educators Credit Union, WISN 12, 95.7 WRIT, VISIT Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Parks, City of Milwaukee, Taste of Home, The Pfister, Milwaukee Food & City Tours, and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21.
Leave a Reply