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CHICAGO (WLS) — The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade has made a dazzling return for its 34th annual celebration.
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Taking place the weekend before Thanksgiving, this beloved event showcases Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resort, who are set to light up North Michigan Avenue with their charm.
Viewers can catch a special televised broadcast of the parade on ABC7 the following day, Sunday, November 23, at 6 p.m.
Chicago’s own Plain White T’s treated attendees to a free concert at 1 p.m. and later joined the parade festivities.
This year’s parade lineup includes performances by DJ White Shadow, a GRAMMY-winning producer hailing from Chicago, who will unveil a float celebrating the city, alongside Club Nouveau, performing their classic hit “Lean on Me.”
The festival and parade were expected to draw up to one million people to witness the largest evening parade in the U.S., and the third-largest parade in the country, organizers said.
There are floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, celebrities, musical performances and, of course, Santa Claus.
“The festival features the illumination of one million lights on over 200 trees along North Michigan Avenue, marking the official start of the holiday season in Chicago, throughout Illinois and nationwide,” organizers said.
Attendees were asked to wear holiday sweaters in an effort to break a record for the most at a parade.
Details:
Lights Festival Lane: 11 am. to 4 p.m. at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago
Parade: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., south on North Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive
Fireworks Display: North Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River
Visit TheMagnificentMile.com for more information.
ABC7 Chicago is a proud sponsor of the event.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of this ABC station.