MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's Holiday Lights Festival will return for the 21st year.

More than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays will light up downtown Milwaukee starting in November, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue.

The annual display of lights will transform three downtown parks into winter wonderland scenes - "Community Spirit Park" at Cathedral Square Park, "Polar Park" at Pere Marquette Park, and "Holiday Hearth powered by We Energies" at Zeidler Union Square.

It officially kicks off with a switch-flipping ceremony Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Pere Marquette park. 

The ceremony will feature live music, dance acts, thrilling feats, a visit from Santa Claus, and a fireworks ceremony. 

Free cookies and hot cocoa will be provided, and free Jingle Bus rides will be made available to guests.

The festival runs through Jan. 1.