-1.png?width=756&height=111&name=Magnificent%20Mile%20Logo-01%20(2)-1.png "The Magnificent Mile Association")
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The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Countdown:
November 22, 2025
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%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(3).png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (3)")
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Lights Festival Lane 11am - 4pm
This beloved Chicago tradition kicks off at 11 am with Lights Festival Lane — a festive outdoor celebration filled with live entertainment, music, and family-friendly activities leading up to the parade. Highlights include favorites like complimentary Wintrust Photos with Santa, cheesecake decorating with Eli’s Cheesecake, and more. Guests can also enjoy holiday offerings from Illinois Lottery and capture memories at various photo opportunities throughout the afternoon.
This year’s festival brings a lineup of star-studded performances at Lights Festival Lane, adding even more magic to the celebration:
● Free Concert by Plain White T’s (1:00 p.m.) – Chicago’s own GRAMMY-nominated band performs a free, acoustic concert.
● Performance by Voices of Liberty from EPCOT® at Walt Disney World® Resort (3:00 p.m.) – Renowned a cappella group performing in their Dickens-inspired holiday attire.
● Acclaimed Leo High School Choir, fresh from their America's Got Talent run (2:00 p.m.)
● Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players (11:00 a.m.) – Kick off the morning with family-favorite, power-pop children's band!
● ‘Twas the Night Before…Cirque du Soleil from The Chicago Theatre – A special holiday appearance at 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. that brings the magic of the holidays on stage to the Mile.
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Parade | 5:30 p.m.
The magic begins as 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.
Disney Favorites
Walt Disney World® Resort once again brings the holiday magic as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse lead the spectacular procession, dressed in contemporary holiday outfits atop a festive float, followed by beloved friends Goofy and Stitch dressed as Santa on the Holiday Garden float, Woody and Buzz Lightyear aboard a toy-filled wagon, and Anna and Elsa gliding in a frosted carriage.
Musical Performances
The musical energy shines bright with Chicago’s own Plain White T’s, the GRAMMY-nominated band behind the global hit “Hey There Delilah,” performing live during the parade. They’re joined by DJ White Shadow, debuting a float celebrating Chicago’s vibrant music scene; Club Nouveau, the synth-soul group known for “Lean on Me”; and Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players aboard the Lifeway Kefir float.
Top performers and marching bands from across the country return to make the parade unforgettable — including Leo High School Choir, the Chicago-based choir seen on America’s Got Talent; Uniting Voices, Petoskey Steel Drum Band from Michigan; South Shore Drill Team, and many more.
Special Highlights
Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman, creator of the global You Are Beautiful movement, has designed a custom “Chicago Shines Bright” sweater for this year’s celebration. He’ll join the parade alongside participants wearing the sweaters, spreading messages of positivity and community. Lucky fans along the route will even receive free sweaters and You Are Beautiful stickers!
The celebration also features the debut of Enjoy Illinois’ Big Lincoln Balloon, a larger-than-life helium balloon honoring the state’s favorite son — and of course, Santa Claus will officially usher in the holiday season for our beautiful city aboard Wintrust’s Grand Finale Float.
The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular 7:15 pm
The event concludes with The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular at approximately 7:15pm over the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue, thrilling parade-goers lining Wacker Drive.
Broadcast Across the Nation
The parade will air on ABC7 Chicago on Sunday, November 23rd, from 6-7 p.m., with on-demand access throughout the holidays at abc7chicago.com. It 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 7th and 14th.
