2024 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival 26th season will run November 21, 2024 thru January 1, 2025

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is back to explore the lights and sights around Downtown Milwaukee. With sparkling interactive displays at Pere Marquette Park, Zeidler Union Square and Cathedral Square, it’s the perfect chance to capture a memory that ignites joy for everyone, no matter their age.

Annual Tree Lighting and Kick-off Extravaganza

November 21st, 2024.  Read more on the November 21st kick-off tree lighting event. 

Jingle Bus

Free ride on the night of November 21, 2024!

*”Weather permitting” 

December 5 through December 29, 2024 Thursday thru Sundays 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

Courtyard Milwaukee Downtown

This 40 minute narrated tour highlights the main attractions of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, including the 4 parks: 

• “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park
• “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square
• “Felices Fiestas! sponsored by Generac”  at Pere Marquette Park
• “Slice of Ice Lights” at Red Arrow Park

Jingle Bus tickets are $8 per person and must be purchased in advance at milwaukeeholidaylights.com

Discounted parking is available for Jingle Bus riders at InterPark The Avenue Garage, 615 N. 2nd Street. 

2024 Holiday Ornament

Public Art with a Holiday Twist on Display November 21, 2024 – January 19, 2025

A collection of larger-than-life holiday ornaments will enliven city sidewalks as part of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group. 15 ornaments have been uniquely hand-painted by a local or national artist with Milwaukee ties, in addition to a dozen oversized ornaments in the Court of Honor median on West Wisconsin Avenue.

We invite you to explore The Ornament Trail along Wisconsin Avenue, Water Street and in the Historic Third Ward this holiday season. Get an Ornament Trail activity guide and enjoy discounts and promotions from nearby businesses along the way. Guides will be available in mid-November.  

Cocoa with the Clauses

Presented by Madison Medical Affiliates
Sat, December 14 | 11am to 2pm
Cathedral Square Park

Santa and Mrs. Claus return for this annual cocoa klatch. The free outdoor event is a chance for kids to share their wish lists and for moms and dads to grab a keepsake photo. Elves and other holiday characters will also be there! Plus, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa sponsored by Taste of Home and Dunkin’ will be provided.

Santa’s Mailbox

Santa’s Mailbox  
Sponsored by Educators Credit Union  
With support from Serving Older Adults and National Association of Letter Carriers – Pioneer Branch 2 
November 12 – December 16, 2024
Cathedral Square Park 

Downtown has a magical connection to the North Pole right in Cathedral Square Park. Drop your child’s letters and wish lists into Santa’s Mailbox to receive a personalized reply from the big guy himself! No postage required. Just remember to include a return address.

Downtown Holiday Lights

November 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Make it back to explore the lights and sights around Downtown Milwaukee. With sparkling interactive displays at Pere Marquette Park, Zeidler Union Square and Cathedral Square, it’s the perfect chance to capture a memory that ignites joy for everyone, no matter their age.

Downtown is your photo-worthy wintertime destination. Show your view of the Festival with #MKEHolidayLights.