Downtown Tree Lighting
Schedule
Thu, 06 Nov, 2025 at 05:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
1115 South Main Street, West Bend, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53095 | West Bend, WI
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Save the date! The 2025 Downtown Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. Live music from the River City Christmas Brass Band will begin at Old Settler Park at 5:30 p.m.This year's ceremony will feature beloved characters from the classic holiday movie "A Christmas Story." After the Tree Lighting, The Bend Theater will host a meet and greet with "Christmas Story" bullies Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) and Grover Dill (Yano Anaya). You must pre-purchase a ticket to attend the event. Buy yours today!
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with holiday tunes performed by the River City Christmas Brass Band and hot chocolate and hot apple cider for sale by the DWBA. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will also be on site again for free professional photos in front of the tree, courtesy of Jennifer Murray Photography. Downtown decorations—including wreaths and lighting sponsored by the BID—will be installed the days prior, marking a full transition into holiday festivity in West Bend’s historic downtown.
At 6:30 p.m., Mayor Joel Ongert and BID Board President Peggy Fischer will deliver brief remarks before the official tree lighting. As has become tradition, a West Bend School District student guest will assist with the tree lighting. This year, the memorable “bullies” from A Christmas Story — actor Zack Ward who played Scut Farkus and Yano Anaya who played Grover Dill — will also play a role in the ceremony.
The movie showing is supported by a sponsorship from Horicon Bank.
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Where is it happening?
1115 South Main Street, West Bend, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53095Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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