The One Thing to Do in Wisconsin Before the End of the Year

There’s no better way to welcome the holiday season and get ready to ring in the new year than the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival in Wisconsin. Opening November 20, 2025, and running through New Year’s Day, this fun-filled, family-friendly event is the ultimate end-of-year activity to check off your 2025 bucket list. Put on your mittens and head on out to get lost under more than 500,000 lights.

This year marks the 27th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Over the course of six weeks, visitors have the opportunity to wander under the sparkling lights and see giant light sculptures transform their city into a winter wonderland. Each section of the experience offers its own unique light display. 

For example, Community Square Park will feature more than 100 evergreen trees that the surrounding schools decorate. Alternatively, make your way over to Red Arrow Park, where you can slip on your ice skates and enjoy a few laps around the “Slice of Ice” skating rink. Pere Marquette Park will host ¡Felices Fiestas!, which features an epic fairytale scene complete with dragons and princesses. Children (or the children at heart!) can mail a letter at Santa’s Mailbox in Cathedral Square Park. Finally, be sure to snap selfies for the ‘gram at Zeidler Union Square, where you’ll find an interactive park filled with electric reindeer.

For $8 per person, festival goers can hop on the Jingle Bus Tour. This 40-minute tour will take riders around the city to see the festival's main attractions. Afterward, be sure to check out the Cascading Chandeliers on Wisconsin Avenue. The Cascading Chandeliers always remind me of the over-the-top decorations one would find in London at this time of the year. The Ornament Trail is another fan favorite. The trail features 20 oversized ornaments hand-painted by local and national artists throughout downtown Milwaukee.

However, there’s more to the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival than just lights. There’s a variety of other interactive holiday activities that the whole family can get involved in. On select days, visitors can warm up with an elegant afternoon tea at The Pfister Hotel. Christmas at Pabst Mansion will take place through January 4, 2026, allowing guests to explore the mansion fully decked out in holiday flair. Or, spend an evening supporting your local businesses by shopping at one of the many shops decorated for both the festival and holiday season. Be sure to pick up the 2025  Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival ornament. This year's ornament honors the Milwaukee Fire Department Station Number One. 

As you can see, Milwaukee truly shines during the holiday season. From impressive light displays and holiday bus tours, the city has something special for every visitor at the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Whether you’re sipping tea at The Pfister or lacing up your skates in Red Arrow Park, celebrate the magic of the season in a city that truly knows how to sparkle. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Wisconsin trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.