Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade
Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago, IL
Chicago really knows how to celebrate the holiday season, from its countless extravagant holiday-themed festivals to it’s naturally festive and bright city scenery. Our favorite part of the holiday season in the Windy City? The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade. This parade is a part of a larger holiday festival taking place on downtown Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, one of the greatest avenues for shopping, dining, and hospitality in the entire world, especially bright during this seasonal festival. This tradition has been taking place for over 50 years now, the lit trees along the city street a sign, for many, as the beginning of the holiday season. Hosted by the BMO Harris Bank, this festival hosts several holiday experiences throughout the festival, but the centerpiece has always been the illuminating evening parade procession.
There are typically 5-7 different high school bands chosen to perform in this event, surrounded by over 1 million spectators on the sideline watching the various lighted floats, other marching bands, balloons, and performing artists. The route is around 1.2 miles, traveling under the millions of twinkling lights along Michigan Avenue from Oak to Wacker. The entire parade procession is televised live on ABC in the Chicago area and then rebroadcasted to various other U.S cities throughout the holiday season. Immediately following the parade you and your group will be able to join the city in enjoying a spectacular fireworks show over the Chicago River, allowing you to see the city sights from a whole new angle this holiday season!
