KENOSHA, Wis. — Hundreds of Kenosha children and families will have an opportunity to celebrate the Christmas season with free gifts, bicycle giveaways, photos with Santa Claus, holiday treats and more when the Spears Foundation hosts its sixth annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Festival next month. The free community celebration will take place Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN) Building, 5522 26th Avenue, and organizers are expecting between 650 and 750 attendees.
The event, now in its sixth year, has become a holiday tradition bringing together local businesses, churches, community organizations, volunteers and public servants to make Christmas special for area children. Organizers say the festival is designed to ensure children feel remembered, celebrated and supported by their community, regardless of their families’ circumstances.
This year’s festivities will include free gifts for registered children, a bicycle giveaway, pictures with Santa Claus and the Grinch, ornament decorating, holiday snacks and drinks, games, a live DJ and appearances by interactive holiday characters. Families are encouraged to wear their favorite ugly Christmas sweaters and enjoy an evening filled with entertainment, holiday decorations and opportunities to make memories together.
The Spears Foundation, founded in 2021 and led by founder and CEO Renesha Johnson-Langston, works to create opportunities for young people while strengthening connections throughout the Kenosha community. The annual festival reflects the organization’s broader mission, summed up by its motto, “Together, We’ll Get You There.”
The festival is made possible through partnerships with numerous local organizations and supporters, including the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Joppa Lodge, Second Baptist Church, the Mahone Foundation and the Kenosha Police Department. The groups join other businesses, churches and volunteers in helping create a festive atmosphere and provide gifts and activities for participating children.
Organizers emphasize that the celebration is about more than presents and entertainment. The event is intended to bring the community together and create positive holiday experiences for children and families, many of whom may otherwise have limited opportunities to participate in large seasonal celebrations.
The festival is free and open to the community, although gifts are specifically designated for registered children. Organizers have not provided registration instructions or a deadline in their announcement. Families seeking additional information about the celebration or gift registration can contact the Spears Foundation at 262-945-3330, email [email protected] or visit SpearsFoundation1962.org.
The sixth annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Festival will be held Saturday, December 5, from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the KIN Building, 5522 26th Avenue, in Kenosha. With hundreds expected to attend, organizers hope the annual celebration will once again demonstrate what can happen when local residents, businesses and organizations come together to make the holidays brighter for Kenosha children and families.
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