Mag Mile Lights Festival Kicks Off Holiday Season

Parade, other activities scheduled for Saturday

Chicago's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival returned Saturday for another year of lights, music and holiday spirit.

More than a million people lined Michigan Avenue for the parade and festivities, officials said.

The event, hosted by BMO Harris Bank, is the city's way of kicking off the holiday season. Residents and visitors spent the day shopping or checking out the activities at Lights Festival Lane. Once the sun went down, Mickey Mouse and company made their way down the Mag Mile.

The parade itself features Garrett's Popcorn and Brookfield Zoo, as well as marching bands from several area high schools. Festivities concluded with a fireworks show over the Chicago River.

This year's celebrity appearances included recording artist Megan Nicole and actor Mario Lopez. Lopez hosted the "Largest Holiday Carol" singalong at 5 p.m.

The parade stepped off at 5:30 p.m. at Oak Street and ran south on Michigan Avenue to Wacker Drive. 

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