Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Educators Credit Union, Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors.
The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival will celebrate its 24th year of illuminating Downtown Milwaukee from Thursday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 1.
The six-week celebration begins on Nov. 17 with a kickoff ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave. The fun will feature live music and dance acts, holiday treats, fireworks and a visit from Santa Claus.
The night of performances include cast members from Black Arts MKE’s “Black Nativity,” Jenny Thiel, Donna Woodall, DJ Shawna, Dance Academy of Mexico, St. Michael’s Ukrainian Choir, Vertical Essence and Sarah Fierek.
Pre-show festivities will start at 5 p.m. with free cocoa, cookies and Jingle Bus rides.
After the Nov. 17 kickoff, people can view the decorated sights aboard the Jingle Bus. The 40-minute narrated tour includes “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park; “Christmas Chalet” at Pere Marquette Park; and “Santa’s Celebration Square” at Zeidler Union Square.
The Jingle Bus will run Thursdays through Sundays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., through Friday, Dec. 30. Rides are $5 per person and, new this year, tickets must be purchased in advance at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.
Spanish language tours will be available on select nights. Tours depart from The Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Discounted parking is available in the attached structure for $3 with validation.
Throughout the season, the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival also supports Santa’s Mailbox – Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Dec. 12 – and Cocoa with the Clauses, Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both events take place in Cathedral Square Park.
Children who place a letter in Santa’s Mailbox will receive a personalized reply by mail if they supply a return address.
For more information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival visit www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
