Lightin’ Up Downtown
The City of Kenosha – in partnership with the Lakeshore Business Improvement District, Visit Kenosha, and sponsors – presents one of its most cherished traditions: the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Lightin' Up celebration in Downtown Kenosha.
This festive event marks the official start of the holiday season in Kenosha and promises an evening filled with lights, music, cheer, and new surprises for residents and visitors alike.
Please join us November 28, 2025!
Downtown Kenosha will transform into a winter wonderland, with streets lined in twinkling lights, festive decorations adorning lamp posts, and local businesses showcasing creative holiday displays in their windows. All are encouraged to “Go Downtown Kenosha” to stroll the beautifully decorated streets, take in the holiday atmosphere, and get a start on your holiday shopping.
Traditionally, this event happens on the day after Thanksgiving each year. Local businesses and organizations in Downtown Kenosha invite you to start your holidays here!
The lighting of the City of Kenosha's Christmas tree ushers in the holiday season with a new vendor market, plus a spectacular drone light show over the harbor.
Jump to
Tree Lighting | Lightin’ Up Downtown Activities & Special Offers
City of Kenosha Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony:
Each year, a different local family generously donates a towering evergreen, which is harvested by the City’s Parks Department crew. The tree will come to life with thousands of colorful lights, officially illuminating the city for the holidays.
This year’s celebration will feature a lively program of entertainment leading up to the lighting of the tree. Enjoy live music, dancers, and a special appearance from Santa Claus.
Tree Lighting Location:
Veterans Memorial Park
5220 6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
November 28 Schedule:
The FREE tree lighting program will begin at 4:30 PM.
Event MC Sean Lewis, co-anchor of the WGN Morning News in Chicago – and a Kenosha native – will host a program of holiday music and dance.
Students from the Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts will take the stage with a preview of their winter show at 4:30 PM, with performances to follow featuring singers Braxton Molinaro, Haley Klinkhammer, Ben Mulwana, and Miss Wisconsin 2025 Willow Newell.
Special guests making an appearance at the event will include Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Miss Kenosha 2025 Nellyka Dennis. Look for the Frost Queen and Snow Princess mingling with the crowd at the beautifully decorated park.
New in 2025! A Dazzling Drone Show:
Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala will share a holiday greeting before the launch of a breathtaking drone light show above the Kenosha Harbor. Northern Lights Drone Shows, based in Caledonia, will bring hundreds of synchronized drones to light up the night sky with animated holiday-themed displays set to music, providing a modern and magical twist to the celebration.
Immediately following the drone show, three local youths will push the “magic button” to light the City Christmas tree, showcasing more than 1,000 colored bulbs. Isariah V., Evah V., and Treasure E. were chosen for the honor by staff at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha for being good role models for their peers.
About the 2025 Tree:
On November 13, crews harvested and installed the city’s beautiful 30-foot blue spruce in Veterans Memorial Park — weighing in at an impressive 3,000 pounds! A huge thank-you to Kenosha native Laurie Jacobs, who planted this tree 43 years ago with friend Helen Briscoe and generously donated it to the city. Her gift will help bring holiday joy to thousands this season. Source: City of Kenosha
Following the Tree Lighting, enjoy Lightin' Up!
Following the tree lighting, the Lightin' Up celebration continues downtown with family activities, live entertainment, and special promotions at Downtown businesses. Shops will be open extended hours.
There will be activities and special offers at spaces and businesses throughout Downtown Kenosha!
Whether you're looking for locally made gifts, seasonal treats, or simply want to soak in the festive atmosphere, there will be plenty to enjoy throughout the evening.
You can expect:
- Music & Entertainment
- Holiday Art Walk: Stroll along the HarborPark promenade all winter long. With more than 20 large-scale art pieces on display, this will be a popular winter walking attraction! Thank you to all the incredible artists and generous sponsors who made this possible.
- Storefront windows and the Electric Streetcars will be decked out for the holiday.
- Electric Streetcar rides are free of charge all day.
- Santa will be available to visit with people following the tree lighting at the Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Visits with Santa are free and photos are welcome. Santa will be there until 8 PM.
- Mrs. Claus will help children write letters to Santa at Actor’s Craft, 4900 Seventh Ave., following the tree lighting. Letters will be deposited in her special North Pole Mailbox.
- And much more!
