Some along the parade route said they were excited for another year of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse flipping the switch to light up the Mag Mile.

The holiday rush is on. Streets in downtown Chicago were packed with holiday festivities on Sunday as crowds gathered on Michigan Avenue for the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade.

Chicago's holiday season has unofficially arrived, with the city's Christmas tree being lit Friday as a weekend full of holiday events begins.