The City of Kenosha’s Christmas tree lighting ushers in the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, with a new vendor market, plus a spectacular drone light show over the harbor.
Festivities begin at 2 p.m. as the vendor market opens on Sixth Avenue, between 52nd Street and 54th Street. Fire pits for making s’mores will be set up by the fountain at Veterans Memorial Park (kits available to purchase.) Lightin’ Up festivities are sponsored by the City of Kenosha, Lakeshore Business Improvement District, Visit Kenosha, and supporting partners.
Each fall, the City Parks Department harvests a Christmas tree donated by a local citizen. This year’s tree was donated by Kenosha resident Laurie Jacobs and was installed at Veterans Memorial Park near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 54th Street. Jacobs planted the 3,000-pound & 30-foot blue spruce 43 years ago.
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 p.m., 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.
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.
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. Storefront windows and City streetcars will be decked out for the holiday, and visitors can enjoy a ride on the electric streetcar 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. 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.
Real reindeer will give families a unique and memorable photo opportunity at Herzing University – Kenosha Campus, 5800 Seventh Ave. Free parking is available downtown, including the City parking ramp at Eighth Avenue and 57th Street.
Festivities continue downtown through the end of this year, with a theme of “Merry and Bright.” For further details about specials, entertainment, and activities, visit www.visitkenosha.com
