By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Oct 20, 2015 at 11:00 AM

Watch as, with the flip of a switch, Downtown Milwaukee flashes into the festive holiday spirit.

The 17th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival kick-off, put on by Business Improvement District #21, will feature live music performances from across Milwaukee and across genres, and will end with a fireworks display to light up the sky above the Milwaukee skyline. OnMilwaukee is a proud media sponsor of the event.

Don’t miss your chance to see a star-studded Milwaukee line-up – musical performance from Milwaukee favorites like Nora Collins, DJ Shawna and many more – all leading up to the fat man himself making an appearance – the much beloved Santa Claus.

Across the city – from Pere Marquette Park, Cathedral Square Park to Zeidler Union Square – holiday lights will all flip on in one city-wide celebration of the Holiday season. The performances and fun begins at 6 p.m., but the official switch-flipping ceremony will take place at 6:35 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the festival dedicated to the festive season in Downtown Milwaukee.

Afterwards, there will be "Jingle Bus rides" available at Pere Marquette Park to take you on a narrated tour of the Downtown area.

Where: Downtown Milwaukee. Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave.

Hours: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.

Admission: Free to attend the ceremony and firework display! Bus tickets after the Festival cost (Nov. 19th and later and leaves from Grand Avenue Mall) $1.

Highlights: Take your little-ones to see Santa or check out any of the live music or dance performances. Wander through downtown and take in Milwaukee’s bright holiday landscape, and mosey back to watch as the celebration ends with a fireworks display for the entire city to enjoy.

For more information: milwaukeedowntown.com