An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/403747
42 THE 16TH ANNUAL Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, Nov. 20-Dec. 28, begins with a gala open- ing night on Thursday, Nov. 20. The six-week festi- val hosts a switch-flipping ceremony in Pere Marquette Park between W. State St. and W. Kilbourn Ave. along the Milwaukee River. The celebration features music, dancing, Santa and a much-anticipated fireworks show. Be merry and bright while enjoying music by Chasin' Mason, Naima Adedapo and Jenny Thiel; an appearance by Radio WHT; dance routines from Studio VIA and Dance Academy of Mexico; plus an ice show by Art Below Zero. Special guests are Billie the Brownie and Santa Claus. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. At approximately 6:30 p.m., invited guests Mayor Tom Barrett, County Executive Chris Abele and members of the Milwaukee Common Council lead the crowd in a countdown. 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 Ave. Also delighting kids of all ages is the décor in Pere Marquette Park at West State and Old World 3rd Streets, Cathedral Square Park at North Jefferson and East Wells Streets, and Zeidler Union Square at West Michigan between 3rd and 4th Streets. The themes for the parks are "Candy Cottage Forest" at Pere Marquette Park, "Community Spirit Park" at Cathedral Square Park and "Frosty Frolics" at Zeidler Union Square. 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. 20 kick-off ceremony in Pere Marquette Park. After opening night, Jingle Bus rides operate from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 20-Dec. 28. The 40-minute tour is narrated by Milwaukee Downtown's Public Service Ambassadors. Rides are $1 per person and depart from the festival's Warming House in The Shops of Grand Avenue's Center Court, Third Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Riders who park in The Shops of Grand Avenue's attached structure will receive a $3 parking voucher. The Jingle Bus will not operate on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. For additional information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, phone 414-220-4700 or visit milwaukeeholidaylights.com. Join the fun at Holiday Lights Festival kick-off Nov. 20