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Chicago is home to the nation’s largest evening holiday celebration – the\u00a0BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival<\/a>. Held this\u00a0Saturday, November 17, the event will jump start the holiday season with a full day of family friendly\u00a0activities, live music concerts, and holiday shopping.<\/p>\n This beloved holiday tradition begins with a grand evening parade down Michigan Avenue led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The lighting procession will step-off this year at 5:30pm from\u00a0Oak and Michigan and proceeds south to Wacker Drive.<\/p>\n The procession concludes with a fireworks show over the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue at approximately 6:55pm. For public safety, spectators are not allowed to view fireworks on any of the Chicago bridges.<\/p>\n Street Closures:<\/strong> The following\u00a0ADDITIONAL STREET CLOSURES\u00a0will take effect at different times on Saturday, November 17:<\/strong> Closed 5pm to 7:30pm:<\/p>\n The following\u00a0Curb Lane Closures\u00a0will take effect at different times on Saturday, November 17:<\/strong><\/p>\n Closed 8am to 6pm:<\/p>\n Closed 4:30pm to 10pm<\/p>\n Given the large crowds expected for this year’s festival and the associated street closures, it is highly advised that residents exercise caution\u00a0and expect traffic congestion\u00a0should they decide to drive near the parade route.<\/p>\n Additionally, given the magnitude of the event, there may be significant traffic delays associated with the festival as well as intermittent “rolling” closures not listed in the Street Closure Notice-these are under the\u00a0jurisdiction of the Chicago Police Department and will be enacted without the consent or notification of the Alderman’s Office<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The OEMC Operations Center will monitor this event accordingly. Residents and visitors are asked to be mindful of street closures and parking restrictions and to expect delays in the vicinity. Traffic Control Aides will also be on hand to\u00a0assist with traffic flow.<\/p>\n New this year, CDOT expects to close the Dusable Bridge (Michigan Avenue Bridge) to pedestrian traffic for safety as early as 3:30PM. Pedestrian traffic should use Columbus, State or Wabash Bridges as alternative routes.<\/p>\n For CTA Reroute information please\u00a0click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Schedule of Events:<\/strong>
\nThe following\u00a0MAIN STREET CLOSURES\u00a0will take place as early as 4:00pm on Saturday, November 17<\/strong> and will remain in place until 8pm or such time as the Chicago Police Department deems it safe to reopen the street:<\/p>\n\u2022 Oak Street, State to Michigan<\/div>\n\u2022 North Michigan Avenue, Oak to Wacker<\/div>\n\u2022 Upper Wacker Drive, Michigan to east turnaround<\/div>\n
\nClosed 8am to 6pm:<\/p>\n\u2022 Clark, Oak to Delaware (east curb lane only)<\/div>\n\u2022 Delaware, Dearborn to Clark (north curb lane only)<\/div>\n\u2022 Oak, Clark to State<\/div>\n\u2022 Dearborn, Delaware to Maple<\/div>\n\u2022 Walton, State to Clark<\/div>\n\u2022 Upper Columbus, Wacker to Randolph (full closure, both northbound and southbound)<\/div>\n\u2022 Clark, Oak to Delaware (east curb lane only)<\/div>\n\u2022 Delaware, Dearborn to Clark (north curb lane only)<\/div>\n\u2022 Upper Columbus, Wacker to Randolph<\/div>\n\u2022 Randolph, Michigan to Columbus<\/div>\n
\nAll musical performances will take place on the BMO Harris Bank Stage, located at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Avenue. \u00a0For a schedule of events, please\u00a0click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n