It’s finally beginning to feel like November after a string of 60 degree days. And the temperature shift couldn’t have come at a better time as Milwaukee kicks off the holidays with some very merry events this week.
To signal the start of the season, last night was the official Christmas Tree Lighting at Red Arrow Park. This is the city’s oldest holiday tradition and is always the outset of a week filled with holiday celebrations.
If you couldn’t make it downtown for the tree lighting last night, make sure to get to the Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off, Festival of Trees Lighting Ceremony or the 81st Annual Holiday Parade.
Unfortunately, I can’t make it to the first couple of events, but I’ll definitely wake bright and early to be among the crowd at the city’s Holiday Parade this Saturday.
Tonight, though, is the city’s largest holiday lights kick-off beginning at 5 p.m. at Pere Marquette Park. According to OnMilwaukee, it begins with live holiday music and a repertoire of festive acts and appearances by local celebrities (I heard that new Milwaukee Buck Yi Jianlian will help with the festivities). Plus everyone, even adults, will be anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus who will be there with bells on of course!
Then around 6:00, it will be time to flip the switch on the city’s décor and light up the downtown parks and streets. And if you thought it couldn’t get any better, the commencement is said to be topped off by a brilliant fireworks display. There will also be free hot chocolate and coffee to keep everyone toasty, as well as, cookies and special goodies for the kids.
After the show, jump on the heated Jingle Bus for a free tour around downtown’s dazzling displays. Here’s a list of the holiday light exhibits and information about the Jingle Bus. For additional info on the Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, click here. It’s going to be an awesome night! I’m bummed that I’ll miss it again, but there’s always next year, right?
Besides Milwaukee’s largest spectacle of holiday lights, tonight at 7 p.m. is the seventh annual Festival of Trees Celebration. In the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts’ atrium you can hear holiday carols by the Milwaukee Choristers amid more than a dozen firs decorated by local businesses and volunteers using creative themes and special ornaments. For more information visit this site and don’t forget to revisit the MCPA for the Festival of Trees Gala on Thursday, December 6 when the trees will be auctioned off to benefit Habitat for Humanity International.
Now, if you’re like me and unable to get to tonight’s activities, plan to grab a cup of hot cocoa or coffee (I will definitely need a tall cup of joe) and a blanket and stake out a spot along Kilbourn Ave for Milwaukee’s Holiday Parade on Saturday morning. I will be heading over there with Eric, Justin and Emily just before it starts. From 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. bands, floats, big balloons, local celebrities, politicians and, of course, Santa will stroll through Downtown Milwaukee for the 81st consecutive year.
The parade has a new route this year running from Astor Street and Kilbourn Avenue, west to Water Street, north to State Street, and east to Old World Third Street before wrapping up at Wisconsin Avenue near The Shops of Grand Avenue, says JSOnline. If you can’t be curbside for the parade, watch it live on Fox 6 instead. And for those of you braving the chilly morning, don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Hunger Task Force’s Food for Families. For more information about the parade, log on here.
If you can’t make it to any of these events, don’t worry, Santa won’t put you on his naughty list! Thankfully, Milwaukee’s Holiday Lights Festival runs from November 15 (tonight) through January 6, 2008! So, I suggest you get bundled up and come downtown to check out the hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights on display around the city. And if the festivities don’t get you into the holiday spirit, maybe the colder weather will. Meanwhile, I’ll keep you up-to-date on all of the other fun holiday festivities happening around Milwaukee. Until then, enjoy the holidays, everyone!
Thanks for the info about the Holiday Lights Festival. I was starting to get bummed that I'm not in Milwaukee right now for all of the festivities... But it looks like the festival will still be going on when I'm home for the holidays! (Maybe I'll get to see you as well as the pretty lights?)
Posted by: Kristin | November 15, 2007 at 09:05 PM
You're welcome, Kristin. And of course I'll see you soon!
Posted by: Karen | November 16, 2007 at 03:28 PM
You know I keep wanting to see the tree lighting but for one reason or another I always manage to be super busy the night of. Isn't there a tree lighting in the 3rd Ward? Or did I miss that one?
Posted by: Melanie | November 17, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Melanie- Christmas in the Ward runs Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
Friday, Nov. 30 from 5pm to 8pm there's an assortment of activities and entertainment including visits from Santa, shopping, Irish dancers, horse drawn carriage rides, fireworks and, of course, the glorious tree lighting ceremony (that's only on Friday). If you want more info check out their site http://www.historicthirdward.org/events/wardchristmas.php
I'm definitely going on Friday night since I missed the downtown lighting. It should be fun!
Posted by: Karen | November 19, 2007 at 09:02 AM