Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade

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Web: TheMagnificent Mile.com

Email: Todd Marcocci, Coordinating Producer

If you're interested in entering your band in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade, please request an application from Todd Marcocci at the contact info above.

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For more than 50 years, the trees along Chicago's North Michigan Avenue have been illuminated to signal the official kick-off of the holiday season. With the help of more than 800 volunteers, the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival encourages everyone to join in the spirit of the holiday season and enjoy a host of festive experiences along Chicago's "Magnificent Mile."

The centerpiece of the day-long festival is the evening parade, and the lights on Michigan Avenue are literally illuminated block-by-block as the procession passes. More than 1 million spectators line the parade route each year to see the lighted floats, marching bands, balloons and performing artists. Because of the parade's unique overall format and time considerations, the parade is limited to five or six marching bands each year.

The entire day of events is produced by the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association which is a private, non-profit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting and enhancing one of Chicago's most unique neighborhoods.

The 1.2-mile parade route travels under millions of twinkling lights along Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive. The parade is free and open to the public. The 2023 event was televised on ABC7 in the Chicago area at 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 19; at 4:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 3; and 11:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 10. The parade is also re-broadcast throughout December in various cities across the nation.

• AmeriCheer and AmeriDance Inc., Westerville, Ohio
• Beavercreek High School Marching Band, Beavercreek, Ohio
• Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Crystal Lake, Illinois
• Greendale High School Marching Band, Greendale, Wisconsin
• Loveland High School Marching Band, Loveland, Ohio
• Pearl City High School Marching Band, Pearl City, Hawaii
• Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band, Petoskey, Michigan
• Smiths Station High School Marching Band, Smiths Station, Alabama

2023 Participating Bands • Cullman High School Bearcat Band, Cullman, Alabama
• Cuyahoga Falls Tiger Marching Band, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
• Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Crystal Lake, Illinois
• Newton High School Marching Eagles, Newton, Illinois
• Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band, Petoskey, Michigan

2022 Participating Bands
• Archbold High School Bluestreak Marching Band, Archbold, Ohio
• Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Crystal Lake, Illinois
• Greendale High School Marching Band, Greendale, Wisconsin
• Gulf Coast High School Marching Sharks, Naples, Florida
• Vandalia-Butler Marching Aviators and Kickline, Vandalia, Ohio

• A spectacular fireworks show is held over the Chicago River immediately after the parade, serving as a grand finale to this holiday event.
• Live concerts are held all afternoon on the Harris Stage in Pioneer Court at 401 North Michigan Avenue. Artists appearing in recent years included the Radio Disney Road Crew and Crystal Bowersox of American Idol.

Saturday, November 23, 2024
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Saturday, November 21, 2026
(Always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving)

Web: TheMagnificentMile.com

Email: Todd Marcocci, Coordinating Producer

If you're interested in entering your band in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade, please request an application from Todd Marcocci at the contact info above.