MILWAUKEE — Downtown Milwaukee will soon shimmer in holiday lights.

From Nov. 17 to Jan. 1, more than 500,000 lights and dozens of animated displays will light up the city for the 24th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. The annual festival is presented by Johnson Financial Group.

The display of lights will transform three downtown parks into winter wonderland scenes: “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, sponsored by Madison Medical Affiliates; “Christmas Chalet” at Pere Marquette Park and “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square. There will also be street decorations along three downtown thoroughfares, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue.

Downtown Milwaukee’s holiday lights will officially kindle with an in-person switch-flipping ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in Pere Marquette Park. The show will feature live music, dance acts, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a fireworks ceremony and pre-show entertainment starting at 5 p.m. Free cocoa and cookies will be offered.

Free Jingle Bus rides will be made available after the show for guests to take in downtown’s festive panorama. This marks the first time the Jingle Bus has returned since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, presented by Johnson Financial Group, bundles the city’s most festive family traditions,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “We’re overjoyed to welcome guests back for our in-person kickoff that ignites half a million lights across the city and resume our Jingle Bus tours — both of which have become synonymous with the holidays in Milwaukee.”

The 40-minute, narrated Jingle Bus tour is a no-fuss way to see the magic of downtown. Pre-booking is required for all Jingle Bus rides. Tours will be available to book online, for $5 per person.

For more information on the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival and the Jingle Bus, visit www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.