Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival 2024-2025 in Midwest

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is a six-week celebration that gives downtown Milwaukee a boost of Christmas spirit and color. Thousands of lights and animated displays decorate Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square, Pere Marquette Park, and Red Arrow Park. Sparkling rooflines, harp lamp lighting, and suspended garlands transform the city into a winter wonderland. Don't miss the street chandeliers on Wisconsin Avenue and Mason Street. Take a tour on a Jingle Bus from Thursday through Sunday to see all the beautiful sights.

Festival Highlights

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival has been taking place since the 1990s. Its epicenter is Pere Marquette Park. Visitors can see a holiday variety show and the largest switch-on ceremony in the city with plenty of entertainment and activities for everybody. Zeidler Union Square is another must-see location for the festival. This location sparkles and shines, inviting visitors for their holiday snapshots!

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza

Visitors can join the celebration of holiday peace and joy on November 21 at 6:30 pm in Pere Marquette Park as over half a million twinkling lights illuminate Downtown Milwaukee. The kickoff festivities will feature live music, dance performances, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, a dazzling fireworks display, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. After the show, enjoy a free ride on the Jingle Bus to take in even more holiday sights!

Cascading Chandeliers

Cascading Chandeliers illuminate Downtown Milwaukee's main street, guiding you with glittering chandeliers featuring a beautiful new gold motif. Harp lamps are adorned with decorative sculptures, adding to the holiday magic. As you make your way along Wisconsin Avenue, whether by car or on foot, enjoy the festive décor in each storefront, where everyone seems to be embracing the warmth and joy of the season.

Dates

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival begins on November 21 and continues through January 1, 2025, offering weeks of festive displays and activities. Weather permitting, Jingle Bus rides will be available from December 5 to December 29, running Thursday through Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm, allowing visitors to experience the enchanting lights across the city.

Learn more about Christmas light displays in Milwaukee here.