The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2024 in Chicago

Each year, on Friday and Saturday preceding Thanksgiving, Chicago celebrates the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (also known as Chicago Lights Festival)—200 trees along Chicago's North Michigan Avenue (or Magnificent Mile) light up to signal the official start of the holiday season. The event is considered one of the largest Christmas holiday celebrations in the country, drawing in approximately a million people annually.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Taking place during the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is organized with the help of more than 600 volunteers, who light up 200 trees along the avenue, as well as magnificent illumination across several blocks near the Chicago River. This enchanting spectacle provides a stunning backdrop for photos, while a stroll along the illuminated avenue makes for a charming and memorable date experience.

Christmas Parade

Numerous lights and decorations are not the only ones that light up the Magnificent Mile. Colorful parade en route to the city’s Christmas tree lighting marches through the street on Sunday. As the lights on Michigan Avenue are turned on block-by-block, the procession follows the lights. It presents around 40 floats with huge balloons led by Walt Disney's Christmas characters.

Live music of the marching bands from Illinois high school bands and music ensembles cheer the crowds. More than 1 million people line the parade route each year to welcome Christmas and see the lighted floats. The highlight of the event is Santa's grand arrival on his signature sleigh, greeting spectators and spreading festive cheer throughout the city.

Parade Route & Schedule

The main event kicks off at 5:30 pm and spans until 7:30 pm. The participants set off from Oak Street on North Michigan Avenue, continue down the avenue to Wacker Drive, then turn to Upper Columbus Drive.

Other Attractions

A fireworks display culminates the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and signals the beginning of the holiday shopping season on Michigan Avenue. Live concerts take place on the stage in Pioneer Court at 401 North Michigan Avenue, where you can enjoy some of the traditional festive carols, best Christmas hits, and well-known classics.

Location

The Magnificent Mile stretches from the banks of the Chicago River to Oak Street and embraces 13 blocks of North Michigan Avenue. During the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival or out of the timeframe, the place boasts over 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 60 hotels, and plenty of other attractions, which is quite enough to please every passion and pocket.

Schedule & Tickets

The Lights Festival Lane in Pioneer Court at 401 North Michigan Avenue welcomes visitors from 11 am until 4 pm, followed by the parade at 5:30 pm. The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular is set to kick off right after the holiday parade at 7:30 pm. If you're not able to attend the event in person, you can always watch the broadcast of the event on ABC 7 Chicago channel. The event is completely free to attend and doesn't require tickets.

History of the Show

The Lights Festival started in 1949 when a 50-foot tall Christmas tree was put up in Water Tower Park. It was topped by a six-foot-high star and adorned with 1,500 lights. Ten years later, Saks Fifth Avenue decided to install Italian white lights on the elm trees in front of the shop in place of their traditional holiday decorations. The effect was amazing, so nearby shops such as Gucci, Tiffany, Armani, and Burberry blankly joined the festivities.