Experience Downtown Blog

Downtown Milwaukee is aglow with 7 sights for the best festive selfies

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The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, presented by Johnson Financial Group, is back Downtown, brightening spirits nightly now through January 1. Picture yourself in a glittering sea of more than a half million twinkling lights, marveling at the delightfully whimsical interactive displays.  

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 has coordinated the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival since 1999. Not only does the organization work to make Downtown shine; it also partners with theater groups, museums and other venues to create a curated list of things for you and your family to do over the holidays – many of them free.  

Here are seven scenic stops to put on your Festival itinerary. If you’re social savvy, tag @MKEDowntown and #MKEholidaylights on your posts and selfies.  

Top Stops:  

1. “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square  
This cozy neighborhood park has everything it takes to be featured on your family’s next Christmas card. Snap a photo of Santa’s electric reindeer. Pose for a selfie next to the lighted fireplace. Snuggle up in the oversized easy chair or sleigh. Stand inside the giant Season’s Greetings picture frame. An ornament tunnel and giant lighted presents are also scattered throughout the park.  

2. “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park Presented by Madison Medical Affiliates with support from Ideal Property Management  
Each year, this park transforms into a festive forest of more than 100 evergreen trees. Take a close look at each tree’s unique ornamentation, as the trees have been artfully decorated by over 80 area schools and organizations. Plus, be sure to discover the magical Singing Tree, presented by Madison Medical Affiliates, which twinkles in real time to the sound of music, singing and clapping.  The centerpiece of this park is a 42-foot-high tree of lights that basks in the glow of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. A tunnel of lights also brightens the park, and there are opportunities for kids and adults to pop their faces into cutout displays.  

3. “¡Felices Fiestas! presented by Generac” at Pere Marquette Park  
This riverside park features larger-than-life displays of a family of snow people enjoying the great outdoors. Individual displays include a candy cane forest and a lighted igloo, as well as snow children playing hockey, soccer and basketball, ice fishing, skating and juggling.  

4. “Slice of Ice Lights” at Red Arrow Park Sponsored by MGIC and WaterStone Bank  
Home to the Slice of Ice skating rink, Red Arrow Park twinkles with holiday décor, setting the mood for enchanting evenings. Note that the skating rink will probably not open until mid-December, when temperatures dip below freezing. Skate rentals will be available at that time, and will cost $11 for adults and $8 for youth. If you bring your own skates, there will be no charge for skating, and skate sharpening will be available for $7.  

5. Wisconsin Avenue – Cascading Chandeliers & The Ornament Trail  
Downtown’s main street will sparkle all season long. Cascading chandeliers with a new gold and silver motif soar above Wisconsin Avenue intersections and decorative sculptures embellish the harp lamps from 6th Street to Prospect Avenue.   In addition, Milwaukee Downtown’s Ornament Trail is back. The art installation again adorns Wisconsin Avenue from 10th Street to Prospect Avenue, as well as four select locations along Water Street and in the Historic Third Ward. It features 15 larger-than-life ornaments, each hand-painted by a locally or nationally renowned artist with Milwaukee ties, now through Sunday, January 19.

Pick up an Ornament Trail activity guide and enjoy discounts and promotions from businesses along the way. Stop by Milwaukee Downtown at 301 W. Wisconsin Avenue for a printed copy, or download a digital version at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.  

6. City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree  
Gather with family and friends to see the 111th annual Milwaukee Christmas tree on the Deer District Plaza. Harvested from a Milwaukee resident’s yard, the tree will be officially lit on Thursday, December 5, and will shine nightly throughout the season. Visit www.deerdistrict.com for details.  

7. Cocoa with the Clauses presented by Madison Medical Affiliates  
Make a date with Christmas’ most darling couple. Cocoa with the Clauses returns to Cathedral Square Park on Saturday, December 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves and other holiday characters will frolic throughout the park, ready to take selfies. This playful event is free to attend, and free cocoa, cookies, popcorn and goodie bags will be available while supplies last.  

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For the best way to see all the sights, climb aboard the Jingle Bus, a 40-minute narrated tour led by Milwaukee Downtown’s Public Service Ambassadors. It runs Thursdays through Sundays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., December 5-29. Tours depart and end at the Courtyard Milwaukee Downtown, 300 W. Michigan Street.  

Jingle Bus tickets cost $8 per person and must be purchased in advance at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com. Hurry! Availability is limited. Guests can choose their tour date and time online, with an option to participate in a Spanish language tour. (Please understand that the Jingle Bus does not make any stops. If you want to take pictures, it’s best to capture them before or after your tour, or on a separate outing.)  For other sights and suggestions on things to do this season, check out the roundup of Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival events at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.