Chicago holds annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Residents of Chicago walked along the city’s Michigan Avenue on November 21 to enjoy the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, an annual tradition that is celebrated with all-night entertainment and festive activities.

The festival, which kicks off the Christmas season in Chicago, is the perfect opportunity for city residents to take a break from their daily routine and enjoy the atmosphere of the upcoming holiday.

Chicago’s municipal government has put up a Christmas tree at the John Hancock Center, the U.S.’s sixth tallest skyscraper.

People head to Chicago’s Michigan Avenue to see the festive parade, with 30 school orchestras to march in the procession.

The festival’s evening parade, led by Mickey Mouse.

A vehicle opens the Mickey Mouse parade with its spotlights that illuminate a tree on Michigan Avenue.

City celebrities, actors, musicians and TV stars participated in the festival. They moved on decorated floats and cars. Even a fire engine was specially decorated for the occasion.

Some orchestras performed while marching down the street, while others their performed from the upper deck of a double-decker bus.

Each stage of the parade was opened by famous Walt Disney characters –Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck.

The city’s police department estimated that Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival drew over one million people, with over half coming from the city’s suburbs. The city has a population of 10 million.