Saturday, November 23, 2013, it's time for a Chicago holiday tradition and one of the most spectacular celebrations in the city: the 22nd Annual BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®! ABC 7 Eyewitness News is a media sponsor. The fun starts at 11 a.m., and it features musical performances, family activities, and of course the all-important tree lighting parade with Grand Marshals Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
The parade is at 6 p.m. Look for members of the ABC 7 Eyewitness News team. Ron Magers, Kathy Brock, Judy Hsu and Ben Bradley will be spreading good cheer as they ride atop ABC 7 Chicago's whimsical float during the parade.
The parade will also be broadcast live starting at 6 p.m. on ABC 7 Chicago. The hour-long special, showcasing the country's largest evening holiday celebration, will be co-hosted by ABC 7's Cheryl Burton, Alan Krashesky, Janet Davies and Stacey Baca. It will also be available Live on WATCH ABC and will be on featured on-demand at www.abc7chicago.com.
Among the festival performers are singer/ songwriter Debbie Gibson and Radio Disney star and Interscope recording artist Megan Nicole. They came into our ABC 7 Eyewitness News studio ahead of their performances on Saturday morning. (By the way, Gibson is currently a celebrity judge on ABC's new music competition "Sing Your Face Off.")
They're part of a star-studded line-up. Look for more celebrities along the parade route, including Grace Phipps from the Disney Channel Original Movie Teen Beach Movie, Disney-channel star Laura Marano, The Joffrey Ballet, Grammy-nominated Blues Singer Shemekia Copeland and more!
The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®
Saturday, November 23, 2013
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Debbie performs live at 2:00pm and on the ABC7 Broadcast at 6:00pm)
The BMO Harris Bank Stage in "Lights Festival Lane", 401 N. Michigan Avenue
Free & open to the public
The event starts at 11 a.m. that morning.
For more information, visit www.magnificentmile.com
Schedule:
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
1 p.m.: Megan Nicole, powered by Radio Disney
2 p.m.: Debbie Gibson
3 p.m.: Megan and Liz, presented by Southwest Airlines
5 p.m.: Mario Lopez and his family will ride down the avenue and rally the crowd to participate in the "Largest Holiday Carol" presented by 93.9 My FM
6 p.m.: Tree-lighting parade
Live broadcast of the Parade begins with Debbie Gibson
ABC 7 Eyewitness news hosts: Cheryl Burton, Alan Krashesky, Janet Davies, Stacey Baca
6:55 p.m.: Live broadcast of the Parade concludes with Debby Ryan
Megan Nicole, powered by Radio Disney
Saturday, 1 p.m.
BMO Harris Bank Stage
Pioneer Court
401 N. Michigan Avenue
Deborah Gibson Performance
Saturday, 2 p.m.
BMO Harris Bank Stage
Pioneer Court
401 N. Michigan Avenue
Live broadcast of the spectacular 2013 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank:
Saturday, November 23, 2013,
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Encore broadcasts:
Sunday, December 1: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday, December 15: 12 p..m. – 1 p.m.
on ABC 7 Chicago
