The Largest Evening Parade in the U.S. Kicks Off the Holiday Season in Chicago on Nov. 21
The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular – Photo credit Vito Palmisano
Stitch dressed as Santa and Goofy from Walt Disney World® Resort atop the Holiday Garden Float. Photo credit: Jeff Ellis.
WHAT:
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® returns for its 35th anniversary, featuring free daytime holiday activities, the illumination of North Michigan Avenue, an evening parade, and The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular.
WHERE:
- Lights Festival Lane: Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago
- Parade: South on North Michigan Ave. from Oak St. to Wacker Dr.
- Fireworks Display: North Michigan Ave. and the Chicago River
WHEN:
- Saturday, November 21, 2026
- 11 am–4 pm CST: Lights Festival Lane
- 5:30 pm–7:30 pm CST: Parade and Fireworks
COST: FREE | All activities are free and open to the public
WEBSITE: TheMagnificentMile.com
Chicago, IL, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For 35 years, The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® has brought generations of families together to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. The beloved daylong tradition returns to downtown Chicago on November 21, culminating in the largest evening parade in the United States and the third-largest parade in the country.
“For 35 years, the Lights Festival has done more than illuminate The Magnificent Mile. It has marked the start of the holiday season in Chicago,” said Kimberly Bares, President and CEO of The Magnificent Mile Association. “Families who first came as children now return with families of their own. That kind of tradition is meaningful, and we are going to celebrate it in a big way.”
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resort will lead a parade featuring illuminated holiday floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands from across the country, celebrities, live musical performances, and the arrival of Santa Claus. Along the mile-long parade route, guests will help illuminate one million lights on more than 200 trees on North Michigan Avenue before the evening concludes with the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular. The celebration signals the official start of the holiday season in Chicago and for audiences nationwide.
“This year, we are planning a 35th anniversary celebration that delivers the excitement people have come to expect from The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival from morning through night,” said Bradley Borowiec, Senior Vice President at The Wrigley Building® and Chair of the 2026 Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. “From Lights Festival Lane in Pioneer Court to an unforgettable evening parade that lights The Magnificent Mile with one million lights and a spectacular fireworks finale over the Chicago River, November 21 will be a brilliant day for Chicago.”
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is part of Wintrust’s commitment as a community bank to support experiences that bring people together and celebrate the communities they serve.
“Celebrating 35 years of The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is an incredible milestone, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with The Magnificent Mile Association to share this tradition with Chicago once again,” said Tim Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wintrust Financial Corporation. “Creating memorable experiences for families is part of what makes this event so magical, and we’re proud to be part of a Chicago tradition that kicks off the holiday season.”
EVENT DETAILS
Festivities begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, in Lights Festival Lane, located at 401 N. Michigan Ave. The free event will feature interactive family activities, festive booths, and live musical performances throughout the afternoon.
At 5:30 p.m., Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resort will lead the parade south along North Michigan Avenue. The parade will feature approximately 40 illuminated floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands from across the country, musical performers, Santa Claus, and more.
Following the parade, the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular will begin at approximately 7:15 p.m. over the Chicago River, providing a dazzling finale for spectators along Wacker Drive.
More than 600 volunteers will help bring the day’s activities and evening parade to life. Guests are encouraged to wear their most outrageously festive holiday sweaters to join in the holiday spirit.
PARADE ROUTE
The parade steps off from Oak Street on Michigan Avenue at 5:30 pm, traveling south to the Chicago River and then turning east on Wacker Drive, ending at Columbus Drive. Guests will line the east and west sides of North Michigan Avenue and the south side of Wacker Drive.
MAKE IT A WEEKEND
Extend the holiday magic by turning The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® into a full weekend getaway. Explore hotel offerings, delicious dining options, and unforgettable family entertainment and attractions by visiting themagnificentmile.com.
HOW TO WATCH
The broadcast of The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, hosted by Cheryl Burton and Ryan Chiaverini, will air Sunday, Nov. 22, from 6–7 p.m. on ABC 7 Chicago, abc7chicago.com, Disney+ under the Live tab, and ABC 7’s connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. The program will also be available to audiences nationwide throughout the holiday season. Check local listings for broadcast information.
MEDIA + SOCIAL CHANNELS
Digital Toolkit (link)
Official Hashtag: #WintrustLightsFest | Facebook: The Magnificent Mile
(Facebook.com/MagnificentMile) | X: @TheMagMile | Instagram: @TheMagMile
Website: TheMagnificentMile.com
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ABOUT THE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATION
Organizer of The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®, The Magnificent Mile Association is a private, non-profit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting, and enhancing one of Chicago’s most unique neighborhoods. The organization represents 700 members including retailers; hotels; restaurants; popular attractions; and commercial, institutional and residential properties. For more information, visit themagnificentmile.com.
ABOUT WINTRUST
Wintrust is a financial holding company with approximately $71 billion in assets whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Guided by its “Different Approach, Better Results” philosophy, Wintrust offers the sophisticated resources of a large bank while providing a community banking experience to each customer. Wintrust operates more than 200 retail banking locations through 16 community bank subsidiaries in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. In addition, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units, providing residential mortgage origination, wealth management, commercial and life insurance premium financing, short-term accounts receivable financing/outsourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges. For more information, please visit wintrust.com.
ABOUT Walt Disney World® Resort
Walt Disney World® Resort is a world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four of the most popular theme parks from around the globe, two thrilling water parks, nearly 30,000 hotel rooms, a sports complex, four golf courses and Disney Springs—a metropolis of shopping, dining and entertainment. Since 1971, Walt Disney World has focused on delivering legendary guest service and one-of-a-kind experiences that make it the largest and most visited theme park destination in the world where families create magical memories. Guests can learn more about planning their Walt Disney World vacation at DisneyWorld.com.
Attachments
- The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular – Photo credit Vito Palmisano
- Stitch dressed as Santa and Goofy from Walt Disney World® Resort atop the Holiday Garden Float. Photo credit: Jeff Ellis.
CONTACT: Beth Heller The Magnificent Mile® Association [email protected] Ellen Farrar The Magnificent Mile® Association [email protected]
