Illuminating Milwaukee’s Downtown joyously and safely

Milwaukee’s downtown will shine brightly Nov. 19 – Jan. 1 as more than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays are set aglow for the 22nd annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival – a “snowcially-distanced” celebration. The annual display of lights, coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown BID #21, will transform three downtown parks into winter wonderland scenes – “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park “Tinsel Town Express” at Pere Marquette Park; and “Polar Plaza; powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square – as well as illuminate three downtown thoroughfares, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue. In another break with tradition, the festival’s Jingle Bus service will also look slightly different. Pivoting from a warming house and motor coach tour, guests can experience this year’s lighting displays through a virtual or self-guided audio tour of downtown’s most brilliant scenes. Among the new attractions for motorists and pedestrians will be window displays designed by Retailworks, Inc., featuring the likenesses of 25+ well-known Milwaukeeans.