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Chicago · Holiday parades 2026

Chicago holiday parades, 2026

The Mag Mile Lights Festival, the Thanksgiving Parade and the rest of Chicago's holiday parades this season, with dates, start times and routes.

Updated

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Nov 21first up
The short version
  • ✨ First up: Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Sat, Nov 21).
  • ✨ Free: Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago's Christmas Ship and Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade.
  • ✨ Get to the route early for a good spot and take the CTA: streets close around it.
Holiday parades

Parades, the Holiday Train and the Christmas Ship

Free and outdoors. The best spots along the route go early, so dress for standing in the cold and take transit — streets close around the route.

NOV
21
SAT

Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Sat, Nov 21 · Lights Festival Lane 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; parade 5:30 p.m.; fireworks over the river about 7:30 p.m. · North Michigan Avenue · Magnificent Mile / Streeterville

A daytime family festival, a 5:30 p.m. holiday parade down Michigan Avenue and fireworks over the river around 7:30. Free.

🎺 ParadeFree
NOV
24
TUE

CTA Holiday Train and Holiday Bus

Tue, Nov 24 – Mon, Dec 21 · 2025: train Nov 28–Dec 22 on all rail lines; bus Nov 25–Dec 20 on 19 routes; Santa photo stops on select dates; locate via CTA Train/Bus Tracker. · CTA rail and bus network · Citywide

A decorated CTA train and bus with Santa aboard run on regular routes before Christmas. Find them on the CTA tracker and ride for a normal fare.

🎡 Family & seasonalDate expected
NOV
26
THU

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Thu, Nov 26 · Steps off at 7:45 a.m. (a new, earlier time); north on State St from Ida B. Wells Dr to Randolph St. · State Street · Loop

Balloons, floats and marching bands head north on State Street on Thanksgiving morning, stepping off at 7:45 a.m. Free to watch before the turkey.

🎺 ParadeFree
DEC
5
SAT

Chicago's Christmas Ship

Sat, Dec 5 · Tree offloading from 8:30 a.m., ceremony 10 a.m. The Mackinaw arrives Fri Dec 4. · Navy Pier · Streeterville

The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw brings about 1,200 Christmas trees to Navy Pier for families in need, remembering the 1912 tree ship Rouse Simmons. Free to watch.

🎡 Family & seasonalFree
DEC
6
SUN

Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade

Sun, Dec 6 · 9:30 a.m. start at 8300 S Western Ave. · South Western Avenue · Southwest Side (Ashburn)

A holiday toy-drive procession that starts on South Western Avenue. Watch for free, or bring a new toy for Toys for Tots.

🎺 ParadeFree

More this season: markets, skating, shows and New Year's Eve · Christmas lights in Chicago, 2026.

Warm up after

Cocktail bars nearby

A few from Whosly's Chicago Cocktail Bars pack, each a short walk from one of the dates above.

Cindy's

Loop · Rooftop cocktail bar · $$$

The glass-topped rooftop of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, looking over Millennium Park to the lake; in winter the terrace keeps fires going.

🚶 About 3 min on foot from Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Vol. 39

Loop · Cocktail bar · $$$

The Kimpton Gray's second-floor library bar in the Loop: leather chairs, nine versions of the old fashioned and a flight of drinks from cocktail history.

🚶 About 4 min on foot from Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Gus' Sip & Dip

River North · Cocktail tavern · $$

Lettuce's 1950s-style River North tavern, opened in 2025: 30 classic cocktails at fair prices and dipped sandwiches. A weekday 4-to-5 cocktail of the day is a steal.

🚶 About 11 min on foot from Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Three Dots and a Dash

River North · Tiki cocktail bar · $$$

An underground tiki bar reached down an alley off Hubbard, pouring rum drinks in elaborate mugs alongside pupu snacks. Bring a crowd for the Treasure Chest, a giant shared rum punch. The Bamboo Room inside is a separate tasting bar.

🚶 About 11 min on foot from Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
The Whosly app

Never miss a Chicago holiday date

Whosly's Chicago Festivals & Events list keeps every holiday date in Chicago and tells you when it matters.

  • ✓Star a date for reminders — and alerts when tickets go on sale
  • ✓See which friends are going, and let them see you
  • ✓Turn any date into a plan: text one link and see who's in — friends RSVP with no app
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Or search “Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs” on the App Store

Get it on your iPhonePoint your iPhone camera here — or open the App Store and search “Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs”.

Festivals & Events and the cocktail bar packs are included with Planner Pro. Starting a plan and RSVPing are free, always.

City Packs in the Whosly app: Chicago Festivals & Events with upcoming dates, Chicago Essentials and Local Favorites
City Packs in the app
FAQ

Holiday parades questions

When is the Chicago Christmas parade in 2026?
Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival at North Michigan Avenue: Sat, Nov 21. Lights Festival Lane 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; parade 5:30 p.m.; fireworks over the river about 7:30 p.m. It's free.
When is the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade 2026?
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade at State Street: Thu, Nov 26. Steps off at 7:45 a.m. (a new, earlier time); north on State St from Ida B. Wells Dr to Randolph St. It's free.
When is the Toys for Tots Parade 2026?
Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade at South Western Avenue: Sun, Dec 6. 9:30 a.m. start at 8300 S Western Ave. It's free.
Are Chicago's holiday parades free?
Yes: Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago's Christmas Ship and Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade are all free to watch.
What else is on for the holidays in Chicago?
Markets, skating, the holiday shows and New Year's Eve are in our Chicago holiday guide, linked above. Whosly's Chicago Festivals & Events list has every holiday date this season: star one for reminders and see which friends are going.