Kickoff Extravaganza

Thursday, November 19 | 6:30 PM
Pere Marquette Park
5:30 PM – Dance party with Kid Boogie Down
6 PM – Pre-show entertainment by featured performers
6:30 PM – Main show and live broadcast on WISN 12

More than half a million lights won’t be the only things glowing this holiday season. The festival’s Kickoff Extravaganza will brighten faces with live music, dance routines, and other jolly performances. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in time for a spectacular fireworks display, and after the show, guests can take their glow to-go on a free Jingle Bus tour highlighting Downtown’s dazzling holiday displays.

Performances

Enjoy performances by Kid Boogie Down; carolers from Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “A Christmas Carol”; Dance Academy of Mexico; Rufus King High School’s a cappella group, King’s Chord; RESPECT! A Tribute to the Queen of Soul; Jenny Thiel; Young Dance Academy; and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stop by, and fireworks will top off the evening shortly before 7 PM.

Jingle Bus Registration

After the fireworks, families can hop on a Jingle Bus to see all of Downtown’s newly lit scenes. Tours are free on kickoff night, but advance registration and a boarding voucher are required. Voucher reservations open the week of November 16th.

Regular Jingle Bus service runs Friday through Sunday, December 12–27, from 5 PM to 8:20 PM. Passengers will board at the festival’s new warming house at the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

Parking Made Easy

Interstate Parking will offer discounted parking at these surface lots on kickoff night only: CW Lot, 822 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; MSO Lot, 744 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; 3rd & Wells Lot, 302 W. Wells Street; and Riverbank Lot, 740 N. Plankinton Avenue.

To receive the discount, scan the QR code on nearby signs, select “Buy Parking,” enter your license plate and cell phone number, choose the parking duration, and apply promo code “26TR33.”

Isaac’s Garage, 330 W. Wells Street, will also offer a reduced rate. Take a ticket when entering, park in any unreserved space, and keep the ticket with you in order to return to your vehicle. When exiting, scan the entry ticket followed by the discount parking pass below. Pay by credit or debit card only.