The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The holiday season is kicking into high gear in spectacular fashion. On Saturday, November 22, 2014, the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is back along Michigan Avenue, and ABC 7 is happy to once again be a media sponsor.
Millions of families enjoy activities and concerts at the festival, where they can also meet Disney characters and stars. The tree lighting parade will feature Mickey and Minnie Mouse as the grand marshals.
Look for our ABC 7 float, and look out for celebrities along the parade route, including Anna and Elsa from "Disney on Ice presents Frozen," and Dee Snider, star of "Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale" at Broadway in Chicago.
On our ABC 7 Eyewitness News Saturday Morning, we had some of the festival stars in our studio to talk about their performances. Nico & Vinz, presented by Southwest Airlines, talked about their concert and their big hit song, "Am I Wrong?"
Kendall Schmidt of "Big Time Rush" and "Heffron Drive" joined us in-studio to talk about his solo band project. Kendall will also be the closing act for the star-studded tree-lighting parade broadcast.
Plus, Mickey and Minnie Mouse were in-studio guests together with Joel Morales, chairman of the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
Before you head downtown for the festival, check for street closures and parking restrictions in place for the event.
If you cannot make it downtown, you can watch a live broadcast of the parade from 6-7 p.m. on ABC 7 Chicago. The hour-long special will be co-hosted by ABC 7 Eyewitness News Anchors Cheryl Burton and Alan Krashesky. ABC 7's Janet Davies will spotlight some of the best acts from Broadway in Chicago, and Tanja Babich will capture the magic from the street. There will also be encore broadcasts on Sunday, December 14 , from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday, December 21, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on ABC 7 Chicago.
BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Saturday, Nov. 22
Lights Festival Lane
Pioneer Court
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Interactive holiday activities, delicious treats and live performances played all afternoon at the BMO Harris Bank Stage in Pioneer Court.
Tree Lighting Parade
5:30-7 p.m.
North Michigan Ave., from Oak Street to Wacker Drive
Fireworks Spectacular
6:55 p.m.
North Michigan Ave. and Chicago River
Location: North Michigan Avenue
Free and open to the public
The BMO Harris Bank Stage Schedule
11 a.m.: Justin Roberts and The Not Ready for Nap Time Players
12:15 p.m.: Radio Disney Road Crew
12:45 p.m.: Jacquie Lee, powered by Radio Disney
1:45 p.m.: Nico and Vinz, presented by Southwest Airlines; Meet and greet at 2:30 p.m.
2:45 p.m.: Kendall Schmidt
Celebrities along the parade route include Anna and Elsa from Disney on Ice presents Frozen, and Dee Snider, star Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale at Broadway in Chicago. The star-studded tree-lighting parade broadcast will feature a closing act from Kendall Schmidt.
Broadcasts of the 2014 BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on ABC 7 Chicago
Live: Saturday, Nov. 22, 6-7 p.m.
Encore broadcasts:
Sunday, Dec. 14, noon-1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21, 2-3 p.m.
