Event · Community
Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival 2026
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · 11:00 AM–7:30 PMLights Festival Lane 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; parade steps off 5:30 p.m.; fireworks 7:30 p.m.
- Where
- North Michigan Avenue (The Magnificent Mile), Oak Street to the Chicago RiverNorth Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, Chicago, ILOpen in Google Maps ↗
- Ages
- All ages
- Cost
- Free public festival and parade
- Organizer
- The Magnificent Mile Association
The 35th annual Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival takes over North Michigan Avenue on Saturday, November 21. The day starts at 11 a.m. with Lights Festival Lane, a free outdoor celebration with live entertainment, music and family activities including complimentary photos with Santa and cheesecake decorating with Eli's Cheesecake, running until 4 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. grand marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse step off from Oak Street and Michigan Avenue, lighting more than one million lights on the avenue's 200-plus trees block by block as the parade of illuminated floats, marching bands, giant balloons and Santa heads south. The night ends with fireworks over the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue at 7:30 p.m., best seen from Wacker Drive. Street closures start as early as 3 p.m., so plan transit and arrive early for a curbside spot with children.
Visit the official site ↗Published details checked online. Contact responsiveness and live booking availability have not been confirmed.
No public phone or email was found. Use the organizer’s official page or booking link.
What was checked & what still needs confirmation
Page headline states the 35th annual festival is Saturday, November 21st (a Saturday in 2026) and mentions the 2026 lineup; an older sweepstakes block on the same page still references Saturday, November 22 (last year). Exact Lights Festival Lane location not stated beyond Michigan Avenue; 2026 performers to be announced. Free admission inferred from public street parade and 'complimentary' photos—page does not list any fee.
Questions & tips
Ask other families about this activity or share a tip. Comments don’t count toward the organizer’s rating; for anything official, check with the organizer.
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