An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/742215
12 keymilwaukee.com H O L I D A Y H I G H L I G H T S H O L I D A Y L I G H T S F E S T I V A L • P A B S T M A N S I O N D I S P L A Y M I LW A U K E E H O L I D A Y P A R A D E Join the Fun at Holiday Lights Festival Kick-off Nov. 17 The 18th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, Nov. 17-Jan. 1, begins with a gala opening night on Thursday, Nov. 17. The six-week festival hosts a switch-flipping ceremony at 6:30 pm in Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave., along the Milwaukee River. Pre-show entertainment starts at 5:30pm at the same location. The celebration features music, dancing, thrilling feats, Santa and a much- anticipated fireworks show. Be merry and bright while enjoying music by Platinum (house band), The Radio Rosies (1940s-style trio), Dance Academy of Mexico (traditional Mexican dance), Jenny Thiel (jazz singer) with Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Elation Dance Center (contemporary dance troupe) and Brew City Fire Brigade (fire art performance group). Free cookies and cocoa will be available throughout the show, while supplies last. Fireworks synchronized to holiday songs top off the program and free Jingle Bus rides operate from Pere Marquette Park, taking guests past all of downtown's newly lit decorations. Not to be missed are the chandeliers suspended above Wisconsin Avenue, as well as the décor in Pere Marquette Park, Cathedral Square Park and Zeidler Union Square. After opening night, the Jingle Bus presented by Meijer operates from 6pm to 8:20pm, Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 18-Dec. 30. The 40-minute tour is nar- rated by Milwaukee Downtown's Public Ser- vice Ambas- sadors. Rides are $1 per person and depart from The Shops of Grand Avenue's Center Court, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Discounted parking is available in the attached structure. The Jingle Bus will not operate on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Between Nov. 18 and Dec. 11, children can place their letter to Santa in Santa's Mailbox at Cathedral Square Park. With an included return address, Santa and his extra special helpers will send a personalized reply in the mail. Holiday spirit delivers the letters to Santa and the replies – no postage required. The letters program is presented by Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc. For information, phone (414) 220-4700 or visit milwaukeeholidaylights.com. Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21 is the organization responsible for the procurement, installment and maintenance of these decorations. The BID also coordinates the Nov. 17 kick-off ceremony in Pere Marquette Park. Join the Fun at with Fred Astaire Dance rated by Milwaukee Downtown's Public Ser vice Ambas sadors. Rides are $1 per person and depart from The Shops of Grand Avenue's Center Court, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Discounted parking is available in the attached with Fred Astaire Dance 2016 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Ornament: The Wisconsin Club.