THANKSGIVING KICKOFF

Posted on 10/30/2015 | About Chicago, Illinois

Each year more than one million people travel to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile for the nation’s premier kickoff to the holiday season. Staged annually on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving and broadcast throughout the holiday season, this year’s Lights Festival parade is scheduled to air in a record 92 percent of the nation, plus first-time international airings in Canada.

The 24th annual BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival welcomes the 2015 holiday season to Chicago with a day of fun activities for the whole family and an evening tree-lighting parade along North Michigan Avenue. The celebration features appearances by Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends from Walt Disney Resort in Florida. There will be special offers at district hotels, stores, restaurants and attractions. Daytime concerts on the BMO Harris Bank Stage include Verve Records’ new Pop/Soul/Funk phenom Charles Perry; and The Girl and the Dreamcatcher featuring Dove Cameron and Ryan McCartan.

At 5:30 pm CST Grand marshals Mickey and Minnie Mouse will lead a magical tree-lighting procession of more than 40 floats, helium-filled balloons, marching bands and top musical performers as they illuminate more than one million lights on 200 trees along the Magnificent Mile.