Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival starts November 16th

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The 19th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival kicks off Thursday, November 16 with a “switch-flipping” ceremony at 6:30 PM at Pere Marquette Park. Pre-show entertainment starts at 5:30 PM. 

The event will include fireworks, warms holiday treats, musical performances, and a visit from the event's guest of honor, Santa Claus. The Milwaukee Bucks Beats Drum Line and Bango will also be at the event.

There will be free Jingle Bus rides to show off all the newly lit areas directly after the event. There are more than 500,000 lights throughout downtown that will be lit.

After opening night, Jingle Bus rides will operate from 6:00 PM - 8:20 PM, Thursdays through Sundays, November 17 – December 30. Rides are $2 per person and depart from The Shops of Grand Avenue. 

Wishlist MKE is a new feature of the festival. It adds a twist to window-shopping while bringing awareness to vacant storefronts in downtown Milwaukee. There are five window displays featuring local online retailers. 

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival runs through January 1, 2018. You'll find light displays in Pere Marquette Park, Cathedral Square Park, and Zeidler Union Square.

For more information, please visit milwaukeeholidaylights.com.