• Milwaukee County has appointed Joe Lamers as the new director of its Department of Transportation.
• The appointment follows the resignation of the previous director amid a significant transit budget deficit.
• Lamers previously served as the county’s director of the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance.
• The county’s transit system continues to face substantial budget shortfalls in the coming years.

Milwaukee County has chosen a new director to steer the county Department of Transportation five months after the previous director stepped down in the wake of a transit deficit that caught officials off guard.

Joe Lamers, who has spent the last eight years as director of the county’s Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance, will now head the transportation department, according to a Dec. 4 news release from the county executive’s office.

Lamers has been a pivotal player in the county’s efforts to become more fiscally sustainable as it faced a longstanding and ongoing structural deficit, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in the release. He has managed and developed recent budgets and led efforts to improve operations, grant development, public policy, and internal communications. The county’s reserve fund increased by about $90 million under his watch.

Lamers has also helped coordinate legislative affairs efforts, including negotiations for the state legislation known as Act 12, which delivered nearly $100 million in additional annual revenue for the county and addressed long-term pension funding challenges.

“Lamers has served my administration with integrity and expertise,” Crowley said. “His leadership in creating County budgets and initiatives has closed structural deficits and enhanced essential services for the community, including in public transit and transportation infrastructure.”

In late June, the county’s bus system agency, which is overseen and managed by the county DOT, blindsided local officials with news of a $10.9 million budget deficit, which now stands at $9 million after some course correcting. The shortfall resulted in service cuts in an effort to balance the agency’s budget.

MILWAUKEE – Matt Murray stopped all 29 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season as the Milwaukee Admirals earned a 3-0 win over the Iowa Wild on Wednesday night at Panther Arena.

The victory improved Murray’s record to 9-1-2 and marked his sixth career shutout with Milwaukee in just 55 starts.

Joakim Kemell, David Edstrom and Cole O’Hara scored for the Admirals, while Jake Lucchini posted two assists. Iowa goaltender Cal Petersen took the loss.

The game remained scoreless until the midway point of the second period, when Kemell broke through with his fourth goal of the season and second on the power play at 12:26. Ryan Ufko carried the puck from the right point to the top of the circle before finding Kemell, whose one-timer deflected off Petersen’s glove and into the net.

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Edstrom made it 2-0 just 95 seconds into the third period. Defenseman Tanner Molendyk maneuvered between two Iowa defenders along the far boards and sent a centering pass to Edstrom, who scored into an open net for his fourth goal of the year.

O’Hara capped the scoring with 6:03 remaining, converting from the slot after a drop pass from Lucchini.

Milwaukee begins a four-game road trip with back-to-back games this weekend at Allstate Arena against the Wolves. The Admirals return home Saturday, Dec. 13, to host Chicago at 6 p.m.

When the Christmas season arrives, so do the dazzling light displays. Milwaukee’s holiday celebrations are lighting up the city with drive-through spectacles, festive walking trails and family-friendly events across the city. Whether you’re a fan of the traditional displays on Candy Cane Lane and Santa Street or the large immersive experiences like Caledonia’s Christmas Carnival of Lights, there are countless ways to experience Milwaukee’s festive glow.

Here’s a round up of 12 light experiences that are sure to dazzle visitors of all ages. 

Milwaukee Downtown Holiday Lights Festival

NOV 20-JAN 1 | DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE

Now in its 27th year, the Annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival will once again light up Milwaukee’s streets with more than half a million lights, dazzling interactive displays and festive events for all ages. The displays will transform Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square, Red Arrow Park and more into festive wonderlands. Visitors can enjoy photo ops with Santa and his elves, ice skating and dance performances.

Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo

OPEN DEC 3 TO 31 FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M, CLOSED DEC 3-9, 15-16, AND 24-25 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

Experience the magic of the zoo after dark as their forests and pathways light up with thousands of sparkling lights and animal themed displays. This year, their displays are even bigger and brighter than previous years. Walk through the zoo or enjoy the Wild Lights from the comfort of your car at their drive thru. See the 28-foot Tree of Wildlife, a fully animated musical tree outside the US Bank Gathering Place, and the light wall on Landmark Landing where you can create your own colorful design with acrylic markers. 

Candy Cane Lane

6-9 P.M. MON-THURS, 6-10 P.M. FRI, 5-10 P.M. SAT, 5-9 P.M. SUN | WEST ALLIS

Every season, 92nd to 96th Street in West Allis transforms into a dazzling display of lights, colorful decorations, and festive scenes created by local homeowners. Visitors can either walk or drive through the route while also supporting a great cause, as all donations benefit the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund. 

Making Spirits Bright

OPEN NOV 28 TO DEC 31, 5-9 P.M. | 3030 CALUMET DRIVE, SHEBOYGAN

Take a magical drive through this one mile route in Evergreen Park, where light displays will be synchronized with holiday music broadcasted through your vehicle’s radio. Children are able to write and drop off letters to Santa in the mailbox at the North Pole Post Office. Before you leave, stop by the igloo, where volunteers will be collecting donations to help the light show thrive in the years to come.

Ingleside Hotel’s Country Christmas

DATES VARY BASED ON WALKING NIGHTS, DRIVING NIGHTS, AND BIKING/WAGON RIDE NIGHTS | 2810 GOLF ROAD, PEWAUKEE

Every year, the Ingleside Hotel is transformed into a winter wonderland with over a million holiday lights. Admission includes a trip through the Country Christmas Trail, Village Park, Jingle Bell Junction, and entrance to the Christmas Village and The Streets of Bethlehem. You’ll also encounter enchanting scenes of Santa’s house, the Country Christmas Post Office where kids can write a letter to Santa, and the Bearville Furry Friend Factor to create your own stuffed animal. At the end of the trail, The Streets of Bethlehem features a collection of life-sized Fontanini nativity figurines, a replica of the Pope’s personal collection.

Winter Glow Experience

NOV 20-JAN 4 FROM 5-10 P.M.| 7625 N RANGE LINE RD, MILWAUKEE

This dazzling one-mile drive-through in Brown Deer Park features hundreds of larger-than-life holiday displays, five thousand sparkling lights, and a festive soundtrack included with your ticket. The experience lasts about 25 minutes, and visitors are encouraged to bring snacks, hot drinks and their loved ones to make it even more memorable.

Enchantment in the Park

NOV 28-DEC 24 FROM 5 TO 9 P.M. | 800 N. MAIN ST, WEST BEND

This holiday adventure in Regner Park features more than one million LED lights, music, and performing arts events. It will be staffed by nearly 800 volunteers, making it one of the largest light shows in Wisconsin. In the spirit of giving and celebration, donations are encouraged to help support volunteer organizations and food pantries across Washington County. 

Miller Valley Drive-Thru Holiday Lites

DEC 5-26 FROM 5 TO 9 P.M. | 3897 W. STATE STREET, MILWAUKEE

Molson Coors is once again lighting up the holiday season with its beloved Holiday Lites drive-thru display in Milwaukee’s historic Miller Valley. Visitors can enjoy over 1 million energy-efficient LED lights illuminating the brewery grounds alongside a festive holiday soundtrack. Stop by the Miller Brewery gift shop to browse a curated selection of unique gifts. 

Villa Terrace Holiday Lights

DEC 5 AND DEC 12 FROM 4 TO 8 P.M. | 2220 N. TERRACE AVE., MILWAUKEE

Wander through Villa Terrace’s decorated gardens, transformed with twinkling lights and festive touches. Sip a warm cup of their complimentary hot chocolate as you stroll at your own pace through the sights. The special evening is perfect for families, friends, couples, and anyone looking to slow down and savor some cozy seasonal cheer. 

Christmas Carnival of Lights

NOV 22-JAN 31, TIMES VARY | 8425 HWY 38, CALEDONIA

The Christmas Carnival of Lights is the Midwest’s largest light show, with over 3 million dazzling lights, a mile of displays and immersive animated scenes. Make your visit even more memorable by having breakfast with Santa, riding on the Golf Cart Holiday Train, and complimentary holiday treats. Wander through the enchanting Candy Village featuring an ice rink, a snowless tubing slide and plenty of photo ops with Santa.

Santa Street

LEXINGTON BOULEVARD, WHITEFISH BAY

A growing display of 12-foot inflatable Santas is transforming Lexington Boulevard in Whitefish Bay into a festive “Santa Street.” What started as a playful idea among neighbors is quickly turning into a block-wide tradition, with more brightly illuminated Santas popping up each day. More than a dozen Santas line the block, each with unique light displays. 

Illuminate Ozaukee

DEC 4-6, 11-13, 18-22 FROM 5-8 P.M. | ZEUNERT PARK, CEDARBURG

Zeunert Park is transforming into a sparkling holiday wonderland, filled with glowing light displays, cheerful music, and surprise visits from Santa and other holiday characters. Every display is created and sponsored by a local organization, and visitors are able to vote for their favorites for this year’s Holiday Design Champion.