A Windy City holiday: Chicago’s 10 essential holiday activities

CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 30: A shopper carries her purchases along the Magnificent Mile shopping district November 30, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. According to The Conference Board’s index, U.S. consumer confidence rose in November to the highest level in five months to 54.1. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

9. The Magnificent Mile

One of the most stressful parts of the holiday season is the shopping. There’s no getting around it, and your bank account will never be fully braced for it. But in Chicago, holiday shopping is way more fun on The Magnificent Mile.

For those not originally from Chicago, a clarification: the Mag Mile is not all of Michigan Avenue, though the entire street is admittedly pretty magnificent. The Mag Mile is technically just the section from the Chicago River to Oak Street.

As Chicago’s current largest shopping district, it’s almost impossible not to find something for everyone. The strip has high end stores, like Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany & Co. and Kate Spade, as well as more affordable places, like H&M.

For even more options, the Mag Mile has three distinct shopping centers, the most popular of them being Water Tower Place. For kids, The LEGO Store in Water Tower Place is like a beacon. (Well, not just kids. I had an absolute ball).

Shopping the Magnificent Mile during the holidays is as close to a Hallmark movie montage you can get. Plus, in the winter, the window displays are at the top of their game.

Then there’s the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival — an unofficially official marker that the holidays have begun. This year, it falls on Nov. 17 and 18, providing two full days of activities. There’s food, live music, everything Chicago is about. It all culminates in the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival tree-lighting parade, led by Grand Marshals Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and fireworks.

Once the tree is lit, it’s a necessary photo stop in the city.