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.

• Actor Hugh Jackman and filmmaker Craig Brewer attended the Milwaukee premiere of their new movie “Song Sung Blue” at the Oriental Theatre Dec. 2.
• Jackman stars as Mike Sardina, a real-life Milwaukee musician who was in a Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline tribute band Lightning & Thunder with his wife Claire.
• Claire Sardina and her daughter Rachel Cartwright – played by Kate Hudson and Ella Anderson – also introduced the film, with Cartwright holding back tears praising the film as “so beautiful.”

A big Hollywood movie premiere with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars made its way to Milwaukee’s east side Dec. 2.

Hugh Jackman was at the Oriental Theatre, along with filmmaker Craig Brewer, for the Milwaukee premiere of their new movie “Song Sung Blue.” An Oscar contender from Focus Features out in theaters Christmas Day, “Blue” is based on a 2008 documentary, also called “Song Sung Blue,” about real-life Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed around town in a Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline tribute band Lightning & Thunder from the late 1980s through the mid-2000s.

Claire Sardina, played by Kate Hudson in the film, was also in attendance at the local premiere along with her daughter Rachel Cartwright, portrayed by Ella Anderson. They joined Jackman, Brewer and Fox6 Milwaukee’s Gino Salomone for a 12-minute introduction — where Jackman and Brewer surprised Sardina with an engraved bench, dedicated to Lightning & Thunder, that will have a permanent home at the Wisconsin State Fair, where the band often performed and even got married.

“This is one of the most amazing stories … that celebrates Milwaukee, that celebrates Neil Diamond and family and love,” Jackman said in his introduction about the documentary that inspired him to sign on to star in Brewer’s adaptation, before Brewer had even written the screenplay. “I thought this is the kind of movie I want to be in, this is the kind of movie we need, and tonight, of this four- or five-year journey, is the most important night so far.”

The packed theater was filled with several relatives and longtime friends of the Sardina family, who frequently burst into cheers, and also Greg Kohs, the director of the documentary, who received his own applause and compliments from Jackman and Sardina.

“Do you think that Lightning is here tonight …?” Claire Sardina called out to cheers, honoring her husband, portrayed by Jackman, who died in 2006. “I love you, honey. I love you.”

“This movie that you’re going to watch is so beautiful,” Rachel Cartwright told the audience, holding back tears.

“I can’t thank both of you enough for making this wonderful story,” she added, looking at Brewer and Jackman.

More: Kate Hudson studied for role in ‘Song Sung Blue’ at Mars Cheese Castle

More: What Hugh Jackman did before heading to Milwaukee for ‘Song Sung Blue’ hometown premiere

Crowds swarm the Oriental Theatre in the cold for the premiere

Around 5:45 p.m. invited guests shuffled into the Oriental lobby from the cold along snowy sidewalks on Farwell and North avenues as a musician covered Neil Diamond songs inside the theater — with Claire Sardina making a guest appearance with passionate vocals for the finale.

Dozens of fans without a ticket huddled outside under the theater marquee, wearing “Song Sung Blue” winter hats and cheering for social media videos, waiting for Jackman to arrive. Landmark Lanes next door hosted a party that continued after the movie ended, featuring Milwaukee cover band 5 Card Studs in the Moon Room.

After Jackman’s car pulled up to screams around 6:35 p.m., the Oscar-nominated actor, 57, stopped in front of video cameras, bright lights and camera flashes for smiling poses and media interviews on a “blue carpet.” Jackman also posed for photos with Brewer, Claire Sardina and Rachel Cartwright, who chatted with the star, with Jackman finally making his way to the theater after about 30 minutes. 

Speaking to the Journal Sentinel’s Hannah Kirby on the blue carpet, Brewer credited Jackman for the Milwaukee premiere.

“I remember very early on Hugh telling me, ‘You’ve got to take this to Milwaukee. You’ve got to make sure you have a screening or a premiere in Milwaukee,’” Brewer said. “It’s a Milwaukee story. What I like most about it is that it’s also a Milwaukee story that I think a lot of people don’t even know about.”

“We want this to be kind of a legendary thing, like something that’s lore of Milwaukee, that Lightning & Thunder started here.”

The film includes other references to the Milwaukee music scene. Real-life late Milwaukee musician and Buddy Holly impersonator Mark Shurilla has a prominent role and is played by “The Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli. Veteran Milwaukee soul band the Esquires is also mentioned and portrayed in the film, and Lightning & Thunder’s most famous gig is recreated — an opening set for Pearl Jam in town, at Eddie Vedder’s request.

“Blue” also stars Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir and Hudson Hensley. The film currently has a fresh score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 17 reviews. 

Reactions were similarly glowing inside the theater, with several Wisconsin references — including a Badger Bus hat cameo and a “Poto” reference to Potawatomi Casino Hotel, drawing woos. Claire Sardina and Rachel Cartwright also received applause when they appeared for brief cameos.

Milwaukee moviegoers that spoke to the Journal Sentinel were universal in their praise.

”I didn’t know that a movie about a Neil Diamond cover band from Wisconsin would be so funny and so emotional,” said Nicole Tymus from Waterford.

”I thought it was fantastic, very family-oriented, wholesome,” said Luke Vandeberg. “It pulled at the heartstrings.”

“It’s a great story about Milwaukee. You’ve got to love it,” said Bob Babisch, retired vice president of entertainment at Summerfest. It was at the Big Gig where Vedder saw a Lightning & Thunder set, prompting him to invite the band to open for Pearl Jam in the amphitheater the same day, when Vedder joined them on stage.

“They are a piece of Milwaukee,” Babisch said of the band, praising the film as “a great love story.”

“I’m at a loss of words, it’s a lot to take in,” said Tanya Holt, who said she cried a couple of times during the movie. Holt is Rachel Cartwright’s second cousin, and she said seeing the film brought back a lot of memories, good moments and difficult ones, for the family.

“It was a great movie,” Holt said.

Pre-premiere festivities included slinging Kopp’s custard, wearing a Cheesehead

Jackman and Brewer didn’t just fly in for the premiere. The two also appeared at the Greenfield Kopp’s location earlier in the afternoon Dec. 2 and served a special flavor of the day, “Song Sung Blueberry,” for the occasion. About 1,200 fans lined up, with Jackman staying for a little over an hour and serving free scoops of custard to about 500 fans.

“That Kopp’s custard is the bomb,” Jackman told the crowd at the Oriental Theatre, bending over with his hands on his knees for extra comedic effect. “I can’t go back to ice cream ever again.”

Jackman also posted a video on his Instagram Dec. 2 sitting at a window overlooking downtown Milwaukee — while wearing a Cheesehead.

“First time in Milwaukee and I am so excited,” Jackman said in the Instagram video. “And, I’m never taking cheese off my head again. I can’t believe I went 57 years without it.”

More: What early reviews say about ‘Song Sung Blue,’ new movie about Milwaukee couple and band

More: The trailer is out for ‘Song Sung Blue,’ about Milwaukee band Lightning & Thunder

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‘Song Sung Blue’ trailer stars Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman

The trailer for “Song Sung Blue,” with Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, shows the triumph and pain behind Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.

This story was updated to add new information.

The Journal Sentinel’s Hannah Kirby and Adrienne Davis contributed to this report.

Contact Piet Levy at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

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MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee husband-and-wife musical duo that captivated audiences in the 1980s and 1990s is now the subject of a major motion picture starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

READ ALSO | Hugh Jackman to serve free custard at Greenfield Kopp’s Frozen Custard to promote upcoming biopic

“Song Sung Blue” will have its premiere on December 2 at The Oriental Theatre on Milwaukee’s East Side.

Fans are invited to hang out outside The Oriental Theatre at 4 pm on Tuesday to cheer on lead actor Hugh Jackman and writer/director Craig Brewer. At 6:30, a Fan party begins at Landmark Lanes, where there will be food, drinks, and live music.

Lightning and Thunder, made up of Mike and Claire Sardina, performed around Milwaukee, paying tribute to Neil Diamond for decades. Their love story and musical journey have been transformed into a film that follows their rise to local fame and the tragedy that tested their resilience.

“Did you ever think that there would be a movie with A-list movie stars made about you?” TMJ4 reporter asked Claire Sardina.

“No, I did not, but we were big dreamers, you know,” Sardina said.

Watch: Reliving Lighting and Thunder ahead of the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

Reliving Lighting and Thunder ahead of the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

The couple’s story began in Milwaukee, where their romance blossomed alongside their musical partnership.

“I introduced myself, and he looked at me and said, I quote, you’re more beautiful than I ever imagined,” Sardina said.

The musicians formed their duo and began performing at festivals and events around the city. With their charisma and showmanship, they became mainstays at Summerfest and State Fair.

Their careers reached new heights when Pearl Jam invited them on stage to perform at their headlining Summerfest show.

“The most thrilling time in my life.” Sardina said, “Next to my marriage to Lightning in 1994 and the birth of my children, it was the most exciting time of my life, and it catapulted us to success.” Sardina said.

After their success came tragedy. While in her front yard, Claire was hit by a car and lost her left leg in 1999. The accident will be a focal point in the movie, as well as how Claire fought back from the devastating injury.

“I didn’t lose my voice, I only lost a leg, but I can still perform, still have the passion, and still sing,” Sardina said.

Claire continues to perform even though Lightning passed away years ago. As the film’s premiere approaches, she hopes it brings the spotlight to Milwaukee.

She also has an inspiring message for people who have faced similar challenges.

“To every disabled person out there,” Sardina said. “Attitude is everything, don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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