hero-img

THE WINTRUST MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL®

November 22, 2025

America's Holiday Season Begins Here

Your holiday cheer starts here! The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® is Saturday, November 22nd!
Come feel the magic of this dazzling holiday parade, brought to you by Wintrust,
and presented by Enjoy Illinois and Chicagoland Kia Dealers.
For thirty-three years, The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® has been an exciting and joy-filled holiday celebration. The centerpiece is the largest nighttime parade in the United States. The spectacular 2025 parade down North Michigan Avenue will feature Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of Walt Disney World® Resort, fabulous floats with beloved friends from Walt Disney World® Resort, marching bands from across the country, musical celebrities, Santa Claus, The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular, and one million lights illuminating
The Magnificent Mile's 200+ trees.
Wintrustlinelogo_ChicagosBank_black_OutdoorLOGO1-01

The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Countdown:

November 22, 2025

0 0 0
days
:
0 0
hours
:
0 0
minutes
:
0 0
seconds

33 Years of Lights Festival: A Photo Gallery

Copy of Santa Wacker Close Up - Vito Palmisano
03_Lights_Festival_Parade_208
03_Lights_Festival_Parade_117
Marching Band in The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - Photo credit Alex Wroblewski
Goofy & Pluto (1) lights festival on The Magnificent Mile in Chicago, illuminating Michigan Avenue with dazzling displays, festive decorations, and crowds enjoying the lively atmosphere
Mirabel Close Up (1) lights festival on The Magnificent Mile in Chicago, illuminating Michigan Avenue with dazzling displays, festive decorations, and crowds enjoying the lively atmosphere
03_Lights_Festival_Parade_249
Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline Wooo - Photo credit Vito Palmisano
Copy of 112324_321

We Deeply Appreciate our incredible event partners:

Screenshot 2025-07-29 at 3.49.35 PM

AND FRIENDS:

923 1

Experience the magic

VIEW THE SCHEDULE HERE

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, live performances, and more!

Lights Festival Lane Ballet (1)

Parade 5:30pm

Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resort step off from Oak Street and Michigan Avenue at 5:30pm followed by fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, exciting marching bands, musical celebrity performances, Santa Claus and more — as we illuminate more than one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile to kick off the holiday season for the United States in Chicago. 

Rudolph Balloon Close Up

The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular 7:15 pm

The event concludes with The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular at approximately 7:15pm, thrilling parade-goers lining Wacker Drive.

 

The Wrigley Building Fireworks

Broadcast Across the Nation

The parade will air on ABC 7 Chicago on Sunday, November 23rd, 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.

lights-festival-card

Plan your stay

Book Now Add to my itinerary

 

Prepare for The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®!

With street closures beginning as early as 3 p.m., check out our tips to experience the best of the Lights Fest for smooth travel.