-1.png?width=769&height=111&name=Magnificent%20Mile%20Logo-01%20(2)-1.png "The Magnificent Mile Association")
%20(1).jpg)
%20(132%20x%2040%20px)%20(1320%20x%20400%20px)%20(660%20x%20200%20px)%20(330%20x%20100%20px).png)
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Countdown:
November 21, 2026
days
hours
minutes
seconds
%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(3).png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (3)")
%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(1).png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (1)")
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 Dunkin', Illinois Lottery, and capture memories at various photo opportunities throughout the afternoon.
Our 2026 lineup of star-studded performances in Lights Festival Lane will be announced soon!
.jpg?width=600&name=Lights%20Festival%20Lane%20Ballet%20(1).jpg)
Parade | 5:30 p.m.
The magic begins at 5:30 p.m. 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, followed by illuminated holiday floats, marching bands from across the country, giant helium balloons and the arrival of Santa Claus on the Wintrust Grand Finale float.
Stay tuned for more 2026 parade announcements coming soon!
The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular 7:30 pm
The event concludes with The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular 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 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. on ABC7, abc7chicago.com, Disney+ under the LIVE tab by selecting ABC7 Chicago, and ABC7’s Connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku. It will also be syndicated in more than 200 markets across the U.S. and Canada through December 31, hosted by Cheryl Burton, Ryan Chiaverini, Judy Hsu, and Hosea Sanders.
Snap a photo to win a 5-day getaway to Walt Disney World® Resort!
View full T&Cs here. Good luck!
%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(5)-1.png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (5)-1")
%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(6)-1.png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (6)-1")
%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(7)-1.png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (7)-1")
%20(2160%20x%201080%20px)%20(8)-1.png "Explore The Magnificent Mile (1112 x 872 px) (2160 x 1080 px) (8)-1")