-1.png?width=756&height=111&name=Magnificent%20Mile%20Logo-01%20(2)-1.png "The Magnificent Mile Association")
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg?width=430&height=287&name=Sugar%20Hill%20Gang%20Dunkin%20Float%20(1).jpg)
.jpg?width=430&height=287&name=Enjoy%20Illinois%20Float%20Big%20Lincoln%20(1).jpg)
.jpg?width=430&height=287&name=Goofy%20%26%20Pluto%20(1).jpg)
.jpg?width=430&height=463&name=Mirabel%20Close%20Up%20(1).jpg)
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Countdown:
November 23, 2024
days
hours
minutes
seconds
Snap a photo of yourself at the festival
Lights Festival Lane 11am - 4pm
From 11:00am to 4:00pm, families can enjoy a day full of festive fun at Lights Festival Lane in Pioneer Court. Highlights include free activities like Wintrust Photos with Santa, cheesecake decorating with Eli’s Cheesecake, and free coffee samples and MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats from Dunkin’. Additional attractions feature the opportunity to view Kia’s all new Carnival Hybrid and receive a Lights Festival gift courtesy of Chicagoland Kia Dealers, CN Railway Rail Safety Prize Wheel, NASCAR Chicago Street Course’s Racing Simulator and swag, Lifeway Kefir samples, and global and local DJ’s on center stage sponsored by Choose Chicago as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of house music. Visitors can also explore holiday offerings from Illinois Lottery and Wild Fork, along with plenty of surprises and photo opportunities courtesy of Record-a-Hit.
This year’s festival promises to elevate the holiday spirit with star-studded performances along the parade route:- Iconic disco group and the Former Ladies of Chic will perform their hits “Le Freak” and “Good Times”
- American soul-influenced funk band Cameo will perform "Word Up!" and "Candy"
- The Wintrust Express will feature 90s Miami bass duo Quad City DJ's performing their major hits “C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)” and “Space Jam” along with the Wintrust Mascot Party, featuring our favorite mascots from various professional Chicago and Milwaukee sports teams and Illinois’ own 2024 Olympic Gold Medalists Shemier Little (track and field) and Alexa Knierim (figure skating)
- Enjoy Illinois’ float will feature Chicago Blackhawks Official Game DJ Lee Michaels along with The Pack Drumline, from America’s Got Talent, and the Enjoy Illinois mascot, Big Lincoln
- The Sharpe Family Singers will bring “The Greatest Show,” celebrating the spirit of the season aboard the Dunkin’ float
- Choose Chicago will highlight the 40th anniversary of House Music with a performance from DJ Chip E.
.jpg?width=600&name=Lights%20Festival%20Lane%20Ballet%20(1).jpg)
Parade 5:30pm
Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resort step off from Oak Street and Michigan Avenue, illuminating more than one million lights on 200 trees block by block as they lead the parade south along The Magnificent Mile.
The 2024 talent lineup includes:
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resort will lead the parade, illuminating N. Michigan Ave. from a reimagined holiday float.
- Iconic Disney characters, including Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Anna, Elsa, Tiana, and Belle, will make special appearances on themed floats.
- The debut of Muppet balloons, including 60-foot tall Santa Kermit The Frog and his pal Animal.
- Dunkin’ celebrates the spirit of the season in style with a float featuring a rotating duo of coffee cups and a charming gingerbread house-themed MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats box – and special musical guests, The Sharpe Family Singers.
- Everyone’s favorite reindeer balloon, Rudolph, carried by athletes and families of Special Olympics Illinois. Just like Rudolph, who showed that being different can make all the difference, Special Olympics Illinois celebrates the unique abilities of everyone in its community.
- The event will culminate with Santa Claus arriving on Wintrust’s Grand Finale float, followed by the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular over the Chicago River. Santa will be escorted by the all new 2025 Kia Carnival HEV and K4 vehicles.
The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular 7:00 pm
The event concludes with The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular at approximately 7pm, which will be enhanced by the festival’s brilliant new lighting spectacle along the parade route near the Chicago River made possible by the grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Enjoy Illinois, thrilling parade-goers lining Wacker Drive with one million NEW lights added to enhance the magic of the grand finale.
Broadcast Across the Nation
The parade will air on ABC 7 Chicago on Sunday, November 24th, from 6-7pm, with on-demand access throughout the holidays at abc7chicago.com, and will also be syndicated in over 200 markets across the U.S. and Canada, hosted by Cheryl Burton, Ryan Chiaverini, Judy Hsu, and Hosea Sanders. Don’t miss additional local airings on December 1st, December 8th, and December 15th.
Snap a photo of yourself at the festival
Make It a Weekend
Turn the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® into a full weekend getaway. Explore exclusive hotel packages, indulge in festive dining, and enjoy holiday shopping along The Magnificent Mile. For special offers and recommendations, download The Magnificent Mile Holiday Guide from TheMagnificentMile.com. Here are a few highlights to consider:
- Immerse yourself in the magic of the holiday season at The Langham Chicago with exquisite holiday experiences such as holiday tea, visits with Santa and more.
- Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park is transforming their lobby into a festive Winter Lodge with holiday treats and cocktails. Plus savor the Latin flavors of new restaurant, Toro Chicago, from critically-acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval.
- Santa Sails the Seadog to Harry Caray’s Tavern at Navy Pier (Sunday, November 24): Santa arrives at Navy Pier aboard the Seadog at noon, greeted by the Chicago Fire Department’s water cannons.
