More than Two thousand-plus students decorate Christmas trees at Cathedral Square Park

More than 100 Christmas trees are now on display at ‘Community Spirit Park’ decorated by local students

Local students are helping Milwaukee get in the holiday spirit at Cathedral Square Park.

Over the past ten days, more than 2,000 students from 90-plus schools have decorated Christmas trees at the park, renamed the ‘Community Spirit Park’ for the holiday season.

Each school choose a theme for its Christmas tree and decorated it with handmade ornaments.

Wednesday, November , 2023, students from Hawthorne Elementary School chose an “Under the Sea” theme, decorating the tree with handcrafted fish made from recycled water bottles.

Other themes included “The True Meaning of Christmas,” “O Holy Night,” and one tree outfitted with handmade winter hats, gloves and scarfs for those in need.

The event is part of Milwaukee’s 25th annual Holiday Lights Festival, with trees blanketing the park for the last 20 years. This year, organizers are displaying a record number of Christmas trees, about 130.

“It’s just the sense of magic,” said Greg Peterson, with Milwaukee Downtown. “One of the things about the holidays is being able to be out here and coming together, sharing with your friends and family, creating those memories, that’s what’s special about it all.”

Each tree helps to spread cheer this holiday season.