Celebrate All Things Merry & Bright.
The luminescent 2022 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival brings plenty of holiday sparkle and cheer to downtown Milwaukee Nov. 17-Jan. 1. Sponsored by Johnson Financial Group, the six-week event features over half a million lights, glowing displays, and plenty of fun, family-friendly activities.

Holiday Lights Events

• Board the Jingle Bus and experience the gleaming sights of downtown Milwaukee through a 40-minute narrated tour. Sights include “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square, and “Christmas Chalet” at Pere Marquette Park.

The Jingle Bus runs 6pm-9pm Thursdays through Sundays through December 30, with Spanish-language tours available on select evenings. Bus tours depart from The Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Rides are $5 per person, and riders must purchase tickets in advance at milwaukeeholidaylights.com.

• Don’t miss Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade
Dec. 3 and Dec. 9. Departing from the Milwaukee Public Market at 5:15pm, the cavalcade features Santa Claus traveling on a vintage fire truck. 

Special cavalcade guests on Dec. 9 include Black Santa and singer Sara Fierek, who will perform jazzy holiday songs. From 5:30-7:30pm, the cavalcade will travel east on Wisconsin Avenue, stopping at Pere Marquette Park, Zeidler Union Square and Light the Hoan (Hoan Bridge).

• From 11am-2pm Dec. 10 at Cathedral Square Park, families can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and snack on holiday goodies at Cocoa with the Clauses.

• Through Dec. 12 at Cathedral Square Park, youngsters can send their holiday wish lists to Kris Kringle through Santa’s Mailbox, presented by Educators Credit Union with support from Serving Older Adults and National Association of Letter Carriers-Pioneer Branch 2. Children who include a return address on the envelope will receive a reply by mail.

Purchase the 2022 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival ornament, a pewter replica of the city’s War Memorial Center, along with past year’s ornaments, at shop.milwaukeedowntown.com/

3 PARKS • 3 THEMES

Visit three festive parks, sure to bring smiles to kids young and old. Community Spirit Park features evergreen trees decorated with handmade ornaments made by local organizations and schools, and an interactive Singing Tree. Presented by Madison Medical Affiliates, the tree glitters, claps and sings along with holiday tunes.

Escape to the North Pole at Christmas Chalet at Pere Marquette Park. Reindeer, elves and other displays—including Santa Claus on a giant tractor—recreate holiday magic.

Santa’s Celebration Square Powered by We Energies at Zeidler Union Square provides visitors with the perfect holiday photo opportunities. Sit in a comfortable chair, relax by the fireplace, and capture holiday memories next to a large sleigh or inside an oversized picture frame.