Prepare to kick off America's holiday season in style at The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. This mile-long festival has attracted over a million visitors daily for more than 32 years now. The festival's nighttime parade on Michigan Avenue is the largest in the United States, featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse from The Walt Disney World Resort leading the way. The event boasts an impressive lineup of fantastic floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, celebrities, musical performances, Santa Claus, fireworks, and more. The parade illuminates over a million lights on 200+ trees along The Avenue, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Naper Settlement is an outdoor museum showcasing downtown Naperville's rich history. Spread over 13 acres, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the area's cultural heritage and foster a sense of community. The museum's vision is to encourage conversations, enrich educational opportunities, and provide engaging experiences for visitors, businesses, and the local community. Naper Settlement is an excellent place for families to visit as it offers interactive learning opportunities for people of all ages. The site boasts 30 historic buildings that visitors can explore to learn about the connections between the past and present. Additionally, the museum hosts special events, programs, and on-site activities throughout the year, giving visitors a unique chance to engage with the area's rich cultural heritage.
If you want a thrilling adventure on the Navy Pier, you must check out the Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze. This attraction is a twisting labyrinth of mirrors, illusions, and surprises that will leave you dizzy with excitement. Covering over 4,000 square feet of tunnels and mazes, the Maze is a must-do for people of all ages. The Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze has been open since 2001 and is a popular attraction among guests. It features classic funhouse elements such as a spinning tunnel and mirror maze, as well as new features like an infinity lightroom and glow light artwork. You will find plenty of unique photo opportunities throughout the Maze that you can't afford to miss.
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is known for its visually stunning productions each season, featuring some of the world's greatest singers. The company has gained international fame for its artistic excellence, celebrated orchestra, and chorus. The live performances of the Lyric Opera of Chicago are powerful, unique, and inspiring to audiences, leaving a lasting impression long after the curtain falls. Additionally, the Lyric Opera of Chicago fosters creativity by providing innovative learning opportunities, creative exploration, and artistic collaboration. The company encourages tens of thousands of students, educators, and families from across Chicago to embrace the joy, power, and relevance of opera as a catalyst for growth and change.