2026 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival 28th season will run November 19, 2026 thru January 1, 2027
Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Milwaukee during the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, presented by Johnson Financial Group! More than a half million brilliant lights will transform downtown parks and streets into a festive winter wonderland, with holiday displays, family-friendly activities, Santa photo opportunities, seasonal entertainment and more. Make plans to gather with friends and family and experience the magic of the holidays in Downtown Milwaukee!
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.
It’s a glowrious time to be Downtown! The parks and streets are aglow with holiday spirit and more than a half million brilliant bulbs. Meanwhile, a flurry of shows, Santa photo ops and exceptional dining opportunities are beckoning friends and family to gather here all season long!
Annual Tree Lighting and Kick-off Extravaganza
November 19th, 2026. Read more on the November 22nd kick-off tree lighting event.
Jingle Bus
Free ride on the night of November 19, 2026! *”Weather permitting”
Ooh and ahh at the winter wonderland scenes scattered throughout Downtown Milwaukee by hopping on a Jingle Bus tour, powered by KB Excursions.
This 40-minute narrated tour highlights the main attractions of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, including our four parks: “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square, “¡Felices Fiestas!” at Pere Marquette Park and “Slice of Ice Lights” at Red Arrow Park.
Jingle Bus tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased in advance. Walkup reservations with cash or credit card are also accepted, pending availability. Spanish tours will be available on select evenings.
Discounted parking is available for Jingle Bus riders at InterPark The Avenue Garage, 615 N. 2nd Street.
2026 Holiday Ornament
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival ornaments are one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Great gifts for family, friends, coworkers and business associates, each year features an iconic Downtown landmark cast in pewter. Purchase this year’s ornament and past years’ in the Milwaukee Downtown store.
Please note, ornaments must be ordered by close of business on Wednesday, Dec. 17 to receive by mail before Christmas.
Milwaukee Downtown invites 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.
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.
Downtown Holiday Lights
November 19, 2026 – January 1, 2027
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.
FIND ALL THE HOLIDAY FUN AND CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN OUR Lake Country Family Fun CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY EVENT GUIDE!
