Holiday Reveling Starts Now with the Lighting of The Magnificent Mile!

The 16th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris officially kicks off the holiday season on November 17 with a day of all-star entertainment followed by a magical evening procession led by Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends.

This is the Lights Festival's best year yet with a star-studded list of entertainers. The Harris Stage, near the Chicago River on The Magnificent Mile, will host such big names as High School Musical star Corbin Bleu presented by Radio Disney, KT Tunstall and Sister Hazel.

Schedule of Performances: Saturday, November 17th

Harris Stage at Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan Ave)

11:00 am Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players

12:00 pm Ralph's World

1:00 pm KT Tunstall presented by 101.9fm THE MIX

2:00 pm Sister Hazel presented by 101.9fm THE MIX

3:00 pm Radio Disney AM 1300 Party Patrol

4:00 pm Radio Disney presents Corbin Bleu

On top of the A-list live performances, Sherri Shepherd of "The View" will co-host the live ABC syndicated broadcast of the lighting procession, led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, direct from The Year of a Million Dreams celebration at the Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Florida. Together they will magically illuminate over one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile. Santa Claus will arrive on a majestic sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer with a blast of snow flurries on each block to usher in the holiday season. This is the first year the event will be on a national stage, with the procession airing in over 40 percent of the country. The procession will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Oak Street and travel South on Michigan Avenue to East Wacker Drive.

Other activities throughout the day include Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court, from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, which will be filled with interactive family friendly activities. The festival also instills the spirit of giving to exceptional charities. Donate a can of non-perishable food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and receive a free slice of Eli's cheesecake. Bring a mitten or make a donation for The Salvation Army at the Southwest Airlines Mitten Tree. Capture "signatures" at The Signature Room at the 95th booth featuring kid cooks, The Spatulatta Girls, and musicians Justin Roberts, Ralph Covert and Sister Hazel. The Museum of Science and Industry will exhibit "Christmas Around the World" and LEGO(R) Hubert, the six-foot Harris Lion made out of LEGOs, will appear for his second year at The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris.

We're also going for a World Record this year! Event goers can join WLS 890 AM at 5:20 pm to participate in the World's Largest Holiday Carol. The Carol Zone is located on Michigan Avenue between Ohio and Illinois streets. Chicagoans will break the caroling world record with more than 7,500 singers along The Magnificent Mile.

The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the Chicago River at the Michigan Avenue Bridge at 6:55 p.m.

For visitors looking for a guide to one of the great avenues of the world, including hotels and must-see attractions, visit http://www.themagnificentmile.com. An official Lights Festival Guide, full of special offers from hotels, retailers, restaurants and must-see attractions, is available for download, and will be distributed in Pioneer Court and other spots along North Michigan Avenue.

The Magnificent Mile is known for its world class shopping. Select stores along Michigan Avenue will extend their hours for event goers to get a head start on their holiday gift purchases.

With an expected 700 volunteers, 30 procession vehicles and a day's worth of fun and excitement, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is the perfect family holiday event.

KT Tunstall

Grammy nominated artist whose singles include "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" and "Suddenly I See". Her music is a blend of rock/pop, alternative and acoustic. Tunstall's music has risen in the charts worldwide and her music has been heard not only on the radio but in numerous movie soundtracks as well.

Corbin Bleu

Corbin Bleu is nationally known for his role as Chad Danforth in the Disney Channel Original Movies High School Musical and High School Musical 2. He also starred in another Disney Channel Original Movie, Jump In!. Bleu recently released his first solo album on Hollywood Records, entitled Another Side.

Sister Hazel

This band's platinum-selling music is a familiar blend of southern rock, alternative rock, and great vocal harmonies. Perhaps best known for their chart-topping single "All For You," they have released numerous albums, including their latest studio album entitled "Absolutely." Sister Hazel also recently released a b-sides compilation ("BAM! Volume 1") and a holiday collection ("Santa's Playlist").

Ralph's World

Ralph's World is the rockin' phenomenon for kids by indie musician Ralph Covert (of Chicago's Bad Examples-fame). An indie rocker, Ralph's World plays songs for families to dance and sing along to. The Disney Sound recording star received a Grammy nomination for his last studio children's album, Green Gorilla, Monster & Me.

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players

Justin Roberts is a nationally known children's singer and songwriter. Roberts performs all over the country and has created numerous children's albums. His most recent CD, entitled Meltdown!, won him his fourth Parents Choice Gold Award.

Sherri Shepherd

Stand-up comedian Sheri Sheppard has been seen in numerous comedic movies and television shows, including "Beauty Shop," "Guess Who" and NBC's hit television show, "30 Rock." Shepherd can currently be seen on ABC's Emmy Award winning daytime chat show, "The View."

About Harris

Presenting sponsor of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival(TM), Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than one million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing, and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.

The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA)

GNMAA is a private, non-profit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting, and enhancing one of Chicago's most unique neighborhoods. Its 750 members include real estate properties, retailer, hotels, entertainment establishments and institutional and residential properties. GNMAA owns and manages The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris. More than 800 volunteers assist in the event planning and management.