‘Holidays on The Hop’ Brings Live Music and Decorations to Milwaukee’s Streetcar (2022)

“Holidays on the Hop” is happening Saturdays from 3:00-5:00 p.m. through December 17th, 2022.

“Holidays on The Hop” is back this year on Milwaukee’s downtown streetcar, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.

Back for a third season, it features a new live music series on board the streetcars, holiday cookie giveaways, decorated streetcar stations, and a wrapped streetcar supporting the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County’s holiday fundraising efforts. 

“The Hop is one of the easiest ways to experience all that the holidays have to offer in downtown Milwaukee,” Commissioner of Public Works Jerrel Kruschke said.

“We’re proud to be expanding our holiday lineup this season, and so appreciative of our many downtown partners who make our ‘Holidays on The Hop’ event possible.” 

Live, holiday-themed performances happen on board the streetcar.

‘Holidays on The Hop’ is highlighted this year by a new music series featuring live, holiday-themed performances right on board the streetcar.

Kicking off on Saturday, Nov. 26 and continuing from 3-5 p.m. each Saturday through Dec. 17, streetcar riders will be treated to live performances and free holiday cookies, generously provided by Pick ‘n Save.

The complete music schedule is as follows: 

Saturday, Nov. 26 3-5 p.m. JL Russell Jazz Trio 

Saturday, Dec. 3 3-5 p.m. Milwaukee Choristers 

Saturday, Dec. 10 3-5 p.m. JL Russell Jazz Trio 

Saturday, Dec. 17 3-5 p.m. Sarah Fierek 

Free holiday cookies are part of the experience.

In addition to these live events, each of the streetcar shelters will be adorned with holiday décor and holiday-themed messaging from Hop partners, including: 

  • • City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree 
  • • Explorium Brewpub 
  • • Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin 
  • • HNTB 
  • • Jewish Museum Milwaukee 
  • • Marquette University Athletics 
  • • Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 
  • • Pabst Theater Group 
  • • Salvation Army of Milwaukee County 
  • • Skylight Music Theater 
  • • Vince Lombardi Foundation 
A child rides the streetcar during “Holidays on the Hop”.

The Salvation Army’s 2022 Red Kettle Campaign kicked off Friday, Nov. 11, and the recognizable bell ringers will be along the route and at countless other holiday destinations around the city throughout the holiday season. Online donations are also accepted www.salvationarmywi.org

The Hop’s decorated station displays are scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, and both the stations and Salvation Army holiday car will remain on display throughout the holiday season. 

Streetcar riders can plan their holiday trips by seeing the real-time positions of the streetcars and exploring destinations or parking options along the route by visiting thehopmke.com/interactive-map/.

Streetcar riders dance to live music.

The Transloc app also provides real-time streetcar information and can be accessed via thehopmke.com/real-time-app

For more information on “Holidays on The Hop” events, visit www.thehopmke.com/holidays

About the author

In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.

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