MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- More than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays will be set aglow in downtown Milwaukee Nov. 16 through Jan. 1 for the 25th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. 

Presented by Johnson Financial Group and coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, the lights will transform three downtown parks into winter wonderland scenes. 

• “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, sponsored by Madison Medical Affiliates
• “Feliz Navidad” at Pere Marquette Park
• “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square 

Street decorations will also adorn three downtown thoroughfares, including Wisconsin Avenue, which will feature an 18-block stretch of silver and gold chandeliers suspended above each intersection. New this year, Wisconsin Avenue will also host an Ornament Trail. The new installation will feature 15 larger-than-life ornaments, each designed and painted by a different artist.

The Holiday Lights Festival kicks off with a switch-flipping ceremony Thursday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park. The event will feature live music, dance acts, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a fireworks ceremony and pre-show entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m. Free treats will be distributed to attendees while supplies last, plus free Jingle Bus rides will be available after the show for guests to tour downtown’s festive panorama.

“The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group is a brilliant holiday tradition,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “We’re thrilled to celebrate 25 years of magical moments with Milwaukee-area families and look forward to kindling new memories with our anniversary-themed decorations, displays and happenings.”

Throughout the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group, families can view downtown Milwaukee’s decorations aboard the Jingle Bus. The 40-minute narrated tour is a no-fuss way to see the magic of downtown. The operating schedule for the Jingle Bus and a link to purchase tickets will soon be posted.

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