If you're looking for the ultimate destination to get yourself into the holiday spirit this season, don't set your sights on the North Pole - choose Milwaukee! City sidewalks and parks are dressed in holiday style, your favorite characters are brought to life in performances throughout the season and our quirky traditions give a new glow to the yuletide cheer.  

1) Thousands of twinkling lights shine brighter than Rudolph's nose at our Holiday Lights Festival.

Three of Milwaukee's downtown parks are lit up for the season with "Electric Elves" busily making toys, "Musical Bears" playing rockin' holiday tunes, and a park filled with trees adorned with handmade ornaments from more than 2,000 Milwaukee school children. Downtown intersections sparkle with hanging chandeliers, dressing up the streets all season long. 

2) You don't have to be cold while you take in the decorations in Milwaukee.

Not only do we have a heated, narrated bus tour of the holiday lights in Milwaukee for just $1, but we add in entertainment and treats to sweeten the deal! A tour on the Jingle Bus kicks off with hot cocoa and cookies at the Shops of Grand Avenue as you listen to the tunes of the animatronic bears in the Leonard Bearstein Orchestra while waiting for your merry chauffer.

3) Our holiday entertainment lineup from Tiny Tim to Sugar Plum Fairies and more.

Christmas favorites: The Milwaukee Repertory Theater's "A Christmas Carol" (Nov. 27 - Dec. 24) and the Milwaukee Ballet's "The Nutcracker" (Dec. 14 - Dec. 27), Next Act's "It's a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Show" (Dec. 12 - Jan. 5)

Side-splitting comedies: In Tandem Theatre's "A Cudahy Caroler Christmas" (Nov. 29 - Jan. 5, 2014), "Who Killed Santa?" at the Arcade Theatre in The Underground Collaborative (Jan. 2 - 12, 2014)

Holiday tunes: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's "Holiday Pops Spectacular" (Dec. 6 - 8) and "Handel's Messiah" (Dec. 18 - 22) and the Florentine Opera Company's "Home For the Holidays" (Dec. 20 - 21)

And there's more where that came from.

4) You can go ice skating downtown while gazing at Milwaukee's Biggest Christmas Tree.

For the 100th year, Milwaukee's downtown Christmas tree is aglow, dressed in giant red bows and shiny ornaments. Take a spin on the "Slice of Ice" and bring your own skates to enjoy this picturesque city experience amidst the lights of downtown for free.

5) Seeing our reindeer is an educational experience.

Learn about the hooves that clatter, how reindeer stay warm in the winter and learn the truth about the rumor that Rudolph is a caribou at the Milwaukee County Zoo's Reindeer Adventures class. 

6) The North Pole doesn't have a massive humpback whale skeleton aglow with holiday lights.

The Milwaukee Public Museum's main staircase welcomes visitors during the holiday season with a festively decorated whale skeleton covered in blue and white shining lights. After taking in its glory, head to the European Village exhibit to see decorations and traditions from times past, take part in family activities and create your own holiday crafts.

7) No lines for photo ops with Milwaukee's icon: The Bronze Fonz.

For a lightning fast holiday photo instead of waiting in those long lines in congested malls, grab a Santa hat and head to Milwaukee's RiverWalk for a photo with the Bronze Fonz!

VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has approximately 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Total business sales related to tourism amounted to $4.25 billion in Greater Milwaukee in 2012 and supported more than 48,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.

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