Visiting the dynamic city of Chicago is always exciting, but Yuletide in the USA’s “Windy City” is, as it is in many other places – an extra magical time, well worth braving its chilly temperatures (one word: layers of clothing!).
The magic starts in late November with the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in downtown’s shopping district. Held on Saturday, November 21st in 2015, the festival on Michigan Avenue kicks off the holiday season with fantastic fireworks over the Chicago River; an elaborate parade; various concerts; and of course the lighting of the city’s enormous Christmas tree – all yours to enjoy free of charge. And in between, it’s a great area to catch up on your holiday gift shopping, with amazingly designed shop windows that will have you snapping endless pictures.
If you’re still around on Thursday the 26th, you’ll also get to partake of another great U.S. tradition, the holiday of Thanksgiving, crowned by a much anticipated feast usually involving turkey (you can enjoy it in a number of restaurants if you’re not lucky enough to be invited to someone’s home). And the rest of the Yuletide season in Chicago is a similarly appealing season – bright lights, big city with the added flavour of a very special time of year.
Photo | Alyssa L. Miller
