Holiday Lights Festival sets downtown aglow

DANCING LUMINARIES, animated displays, elaborate storefront windows, twinkling rooflines and a convenient Potawatomi Jingle Bus tour are just some of the elements that make downtown Milwaukee’s ninth annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival grand. 

Launched Nov. 15, the festival continues through Sunday, Jan. 6.  While many downtown streets are aglow with LED lighting, Wisconsin Avenue is the focal point. Double wreaths adorned in blue and white lights hung on harp lamps and 17 Moravian stars suspended over intersections create a true  “wow” factor.

“The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival offers young and old alike the opportunity to sample the array of amenities and events Milwaukee has to offer, from performing arts and restaurants to holiday events and retail,” said Beth Nicols, executive director of Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District #21. 

“With new events and attractions each year, the seven-week festival has grown tremendously over the last nine years to make downtown Milwaukee a premier holiday destination.”
        
Each year, three downtown parks are transformed into a winter wonderland complete with animated light sculptures and thousands of glowing lights. 

Cathedral Square Park, N. Jefferson and E. Wells Sts., has been converted into “Community Spirit Park.” Students from more than 40 area schools created decorations for their school’s tree. These energy-efficient, LED-lit trees surround a 50-foot tree of ever-changing red, blue and green lights.

“Holiday Central at the North Pole” at Zeidler Union Square, W. Michigan between 3rd and 4th Sts., shows Santa’s elves hard at work. Spy on the elves as they gear up for Santa’s busiest day of the year by transporting toys via plane, train, truck and even parachute.

“Penguin Playground” at Pere Marquette Park, W. State and Old World 3rd Sts. shows an animated pack of penguins skating, surfing, playing hockey and shooting hoops amid ice castles and igloos.

Tour the festival’s myriad of color aboard the Potawatomi Jingle Bus.  For $1 per person, this Coach USA bus will take visitors on a 40-minute narrated tour throughout downtown.  A friendly Public Service Ambassador will be on board to acquaint visitors with downtown’s many attractions. Pick up the bus at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave. The Potawatomi Jingle Bus operates Thursdays through Sundays, through Dec. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.  The last Potawatomi Jingle Bus departs at approximately 8:20 p.m.

For the seventh year in a row, fest-goers can take home a historic piece of Milwaukee with a limited edition ornament of an iconic downtown Milwaukee location.  The 2007 edition features Northwestern Mutual in honor of its 150th anniversary.

For more information or a copy of the festival brochure, visit  www.MilwaukeeHolidayLights.com or  call 414-220-4700, ext. 30.