CHICAGO (CBS) — The holiday rush has begun. The streets of downtown Chicago were packed with holiday festivities on Sunday as crowds gathered on Michigan Avenue for the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade.
There may have been a chill in the air, but there was also a lot of excitement among the crowd as the lights glittered along the Magnificent Mile.
Every year, a crowd gathers along Michigan Avenue to see and feel the true holiday spirit during the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade.
Ben Crane and Thomas Wiese came from Orlando to brave the cold and see Chicago in all its holiday glory.
“It’s actually the people. It’s been electric,” Wiese said.
The stars of the show, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, kicked off the parade and flipped the switch that lit up the Mag Mile for the holidays.
Front and center were 10-year-old Alexandra Jimenez and 11-year-old Penelope Knutson.
“Mickey and Minnie, okay, their eyes were so real. I loved it,” Jimenez said.
“It was so cute, because it looked like they were waving at you, and their eyes were blinking, and they had the microphone and it sounded just like them,” Knutson said.
The two girls were impressed by some of the inflatables, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
“I wish I could ride it,” Knutson said.
Others were impressed by the Disney princesses.
“We love the princesses, we’re a big fan of them,” Crane said.
For Jenny Laflore and her family, it was a complete moment with her children, after being there at a young age, and now creating even more memories.
“This is a good time to just sit and see all the lights and fireworks. Oh my god, I’m ready for it to take my breath away,” she said.
Before the parade, families had the chance to pretend they were in a winter wonderland along the Mag Mile, with a snow machine creating the festive atmosphere.
Others had their pictures taken with Santa and got to sit in his sleigh.
“They just really enjoy seeing all the lights, Santa and the music, and they really get into the holiday spirit,” said Amanda Mendiola of Naperville, who brought her children downtown for the parade.
The first weekend of the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza also brought crowds to the corner of Washington and Dearborn, where people lined up to buy German food and crafts. The popular Christmas market is open daily through Christmas Eve, including on Thanksgiving Day.
The city lit up the official Christmas tree in Millennium Park on Friday evening. The tree will remain up through January 8.
The Millennium Park ice rink and the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park are also open this season. The ice skating rink at Millennium Park is open through February 2 and the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is open through March 9, weather permitting.
If you’re heading downtown for the parade, Christkindlmarket, the Millennium Park tree, or any other holiday festivities, be patient as the streets are packed and there are many street closures throughout the evening.
