Thanksgiving heads up the beginning of the holiday season. Many of us feast with our families and friends, catch up, watch some football and get ready for the shopping event of the year, Black Friday. But if you are looking for something else to do Thanksgiving night, or if your guests are staying through the weekend, we have some delightful holiday traditions for you to get in on.

After the big feast, consider checking out some of the best holiday lights in Milwaukee. At Pere Marquette Park enjoy the “Electric Elves”. Zeidler Union Square is home to the “Musical Bears”. Cathedral Square Park is another location with great holiday lights. Milwaukee school students dress evergreen trees with handmade ornaments. Also, seventeen intersections along Wisconsin Avenue have gorgeous chandeliers that will be lit up for the holidays.Keep in mind, the Hotel of the Arts Days Inn and Suites free downtown shuttle travels to many of these locations, get more information from the front desk!

The Jingle Bell Bus is a great way to see the lights if you are not familiar with Milwaukee. The bus costs one dollar and takes you for a forty-five minute narrated ride through the holiday lights.

Candy Cane Lane is a tradition for many folks in Milwaukee. Over three hundred homes participate in the amazing Christmas lights display along Oklahoma Avenue in West Allis. Candy Cane Lane is open to visitors at no charge, November 29 through December 27, 6-9PM on weekdays and 5-9PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Take your family and friends for a stroll down Candy Cane Lane this holiday season.

Thinking about spending time indoors, consider going to see A Christmas Carol at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. The holiday classic comes alive on stage with great music and performers. The show runs November 27 through December 24.

Lighting of the great humpback whale skeleton at the Milwaukee Public Museum is another unique event to start your holiday season. The lighting of the whale is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Black Friday shopping. The whale will be lit at 11:30 Friday, November 29 and is free with your admission to the museum.

These are some of the great holiday traditions Milwaukee holds and we hope you that you get a chance to explore some of them! The Hotel of the Arts wishes you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season. Have family coming into town? Give us a call and we will make sure to extend the holiday spirit with some great deals – Contact Us!