Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for Cocoa with the Clauses on Dec. 9

The free, family-friendly event will offer cookies, hot cocoa and photo ops at Cathedral Square Park

MILWAUKEE (November 29, 2023) – Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 will host guests from the North Pole during its annual Cocoa with the Clauses event, presented by Madison Medical Affiliates, on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Cathedral Square Park. The free, family-friendly event is an opportunity for kids to meet the big guy and share their Christmas wish lists. Moms and dads will have the chance to snap keepsake photos of their kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa’s elves and other holiday characters will also be in attendance for photo opportunities.

The event, which is a part of the 25th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival presented by Johnson Financial Group, is happening at one of the three downtown parks decked out in more than 500,000 holiday lights. Cathedral Square Park offers a stunning backdrop for family photos, with more than 130 evergreen trees that were decorated by local schools and organizations.

“Spending an afternoon with Santa and Mrs. Claus is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “Cocoa with the Clauses will continue to deliver special moments for kids and parents alike. We are excited to welcome everyone back to the park for this annual tradition.”

In addition to hosting Cocoa with the Clauses, Cathedral Square Park also hosts a direct connection to the North Pole through its Santa’s Mailbox. The mailbox, presented by Educators Credit Union, Serving Older Adults and National Association of Letter Carriers Pioneer Branch 2, will be stationed in the park until Sunday, Dec. 17. Children who drop off a letter with a return address will receive a personalized letter from Santa, no postage required.

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 and includes themed installations in three parks – “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park, sponsored by Madison Medical Affiliates and Ideal Property Management; “¡Felices Fiestas!” at Pere Marquette Park and “Santa’s Celebration Square powered by We Energies” at Zeidler Union Square – as well as street decorations along three downtown thoroughfares, including an 18-block stretch of lights along Wisconsin Avenue and a new Ornament Trail. Décor will remain lit through the new year and is best viewed via the Festival’s Jingle Bus tour, which operates Thursday through Sunday nights. Reservations for the Jingle Bus tour can be made at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com. Tickets are $5 per person and must be purchased in advance.

Cocoa with the Clauses presented by Madison Medical Affiliates is one of the many events coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 as part of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival brochure bundles all of downtown Milwaukee’s holiday happenings. The brochure is available to download at www.milwaukeeholidaylights.com.

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