Kool & the Gang, finalist “American Idol” and the “Whoomp! The guys will be joining Mickey and Minnie Mouse at next week’s BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
The 30th annual festival, a dose of adrenaline for the Chicago holiday season, returns as a live event after fear of COVID-19 last year limited the festivities to a simple television broadcast.
The two-day extravaganza culminates with the traditional Michigan Avenue parade starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 20 at Oak Street. As Disney mice turn on over a million lights, the crowd will be entertained by Kool & the Gang (performing their hit “Celebration”), Tag Team (the best known rap duo for “Whoomp!”) And Grace. Kinstler, the singer from Crystal Lake who placed third on “American Idol” earlier this year.
R&B and Broadway star Deborah Cox will do double duty, performing at a tree-lighting ceremony in Wrigley Building (4 p.m. Nov. 19) and then the next day at the parade, which takes place will end with fireworks at Wacker Drive.
Prior to the parade, a variety of free events will kick off at 11:00 a.m. at 401 N. Michigan Ave., including pet adoption, a temporary tattoo booth, photos with Santa Claus, and DJ entertainment. .
Visitors are requested to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status.
Highlights from the parade will air in a TV special premiere at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 on WLS-Channel 7.
