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Chicago's Top 100 Events 2017 - Parades & Holiday Events

October 24, 2017
1. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
1. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

#1 Parade & Holiday Event
The country’s largest evening holiday, which wraps the Magnificent Mile in lights, had its 25th anniversary in 2016. The event started a day earlier, and offered family-friendly activities such as a visit with Santa. The next day’s parade featured performances from Blue Man Group, USO Show Troupe, and more; it ended with fireworks over the Chicago River. Next: November 18, 2017

Photo: Stan Golovchuk
2. St. Patrick's Day Parade
2. St. Patrick's Day Parade

#2 Parade & Holiday Event
The Chicago River gets dyed green for the iconic city event. Some 400,000 spectators gather to watch the parade, which featured some 128 units this year. Entertainment included Irish dancers and bagpipers, as well as military marching bands. Next: March 2018

Photo: Courtesy of St. Patrick's Day Parade
3. McDondald's Thanksgiving Parade
3. McDondald's Thanksgiving Parade

#3 Parade & Holiday Event
Featuring floats, equestrian units, balloons, and marching bands, the festive parade is broadcast nationally on WGN. Hundreds of thousands of spectators gather on State Street to take in the event, which is billed as the second-largest Thanksgiving parade in the country. Next: November 23, 2017

Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Festival Association
4. Christkindlmarket
4. Christkindlmarket

#5 Parade & Holiday Event
The German-inspired holiday market takes over Daley Plaza for 37 days each season. Filled with twinkling huts selling roasted nuts, mulled wine, and holiday gifts, it draws an estimated one million visitors each year. Highlights include a children’s lantern parade, a brass band, and a giant advent calendar. Next: November 17-December 24, 2017

Photo: Jim Prisching
5. Chicago Pride Parade
5. Chicago Pride Parade

#6 Parade & Holiday Event
The theme of this year’s politically charged parade was “Viva la Vida/Stand Up, Stand Proud,” and actress Lea DeLaria from Orange is the New Black was the grand marshal. The parade featured 150 registered units, and organizers estimated that some 250,000 spectators looked on. Next: June 2018

Photo: John W. Iwanski, CC BY-NC 2.0
6. Memorial Day Parade
6. Memorial Day Parade

#7 Parade & Holiday Event
Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza, in the heart of the city. At noon, the parade kicks off and travels down State Street. This year’s parade featured 6,000 members of the military and junior ROTC members. Next: May 28, 2018

Photo: City of Chicago
7. 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade
7. 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade

#8 Parade & Holiday Event
Now in its 48th year, the parade is a colorful celebration of Mexican pride. The event travels down 26th Street as tens of thousands of spectators look on, and culminates in a community celebration with music, food, and carnival rides. Next: September 2018

Photo: Alex Coronel
8. Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade
8. Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade

#10 Parade & Holiday Event
Founded by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran in 1978, the event started with a handful of motorcyclists delivering toys to underprivileged children. It has since grown into one of the largest motorcycle parades in the world, and now draws 40,000 to 50,000 motorcyclists each year. Next: December 3, 2017

Photo: Jack Voss
9. Eve of the Eve
9. Eve of the Eve

#11 Parade & Holiday Event
After more than 20 years at Union Station, the festive bash moved to the Mart in 2016. Some 2,000 young professionals turned out for the pre-New Year’s Eve tradition, which raises money for the nonprofit HighSight. Highlights included a silent auction and a cash raffle, as well as live entertainment from cover band Maggie Speaks. Next: December 30, 2017

Photo: Courtesy of HighSight
10. AIDS Foundation of Chicago's World of Chocolate
10. AIDS Foundation of Chicago's World of Chocolate

#12 Parade & Holiday Event
In 2016, the holiday-theme event featured chocolate snacks from 21 local businesses. Awards were doled out in categories including “Best Sweet,” which went to the Peninsula Chicago’s white chocolate, coconut, and raspberry merveilleux. The festive event raised more than $100,000. Next: December 1, 2017

Photo: Charlie Rice-Minoso
11. Fiestas Puertorriquenas
11. Fiestas Puertorriquenas

#13 Parade & Holiday Event
The third-largest Hispanic event in the Midwest takes place in Humboldt Park each year, and draws a crowd of 100,000 people. The 35-year-old event features live music on two stages, as well as booths devoted to food, arts, and crafts. A parade and carnival games round out the offerings. Next: June 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Fiestas Puertorriquenas
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