Staff Photos
On Thursday, November 21, 2019, Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 hosted Milwaukee’s Annual Holiday Lights Kick-Off Extravaganza to light up downtown’s parks and streets for the 21st season during its switch-flipping ceremony at Pere Marquette Park.
The dazzling night of performances included Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Jenny Thiel, cast members from “Black Nativity” and Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “A Christmas Carol,” Anita’s Dance Center, Milwaukee Flyers, Robin Adkins, illusionist David Seebach, and national recording artist Grace Weber.
A fireworks ceremony topped off the night. Free cookies and hot cocoa from Taste of Home, plus Jingle Bus rides presented by Meijer and powered by Coach USA, were offered after the event. The festival will illuminate the city from Thursday, November 21, 2019 to Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
Families can view all the decorated sites aboard the Jingle Bus presented by Meijer. The 40-minute tour, narrated by Milwaukee Downtown’s Public Service Ambassadors, is a no-fuss way to see the magic of downtown.
Tour highlights include the chandeliers suspended above Wisconsin Avenue, plus “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Polar Park” at Pere Marquette Park and “Holiday Hearth powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square.
Tours will depart from The Avenue, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Thursdays through Sundays, from 6 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. until Dec. 29. Rides are just $2 per person, cash only, and parking is available in the attached Interstate Parking structure for $3. Please note the Jingle Bus will not operate on Thanksgiving.
