'Tis the season - of lights! Whether they be Christmas lights or Hanukah lights, strung along the streets or in the windows, Chicago sure knows how to light up the town (though some local pubs like to stay in the spirit year round with twinkling Christmas lights). Celebrate this bright and colorful time of year with these luminous events and traditions throughout the holiday season in Chicago, and kick off this month in the seasonal city of lights (sorry, Paris).

Luminous Events

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (November 22, 2014): The king of all lights festivals, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival turns the stretch of Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Oak Street into Chicago's brightest winter wonderland every holiday season. On the Saturday before each Thanksgiving, the "Mag Mile's" towering hotels and shops light up in glorious fashion, with more than one million lights adorning 200 trees! The accompanying parade and fireworks show over the majestic Chicago River keep the festivities going into the night. The infectious joy and holiday spirit at the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival will kick off the season of lights the right way - by taking over the Mag Mile!

CTA Holiday Train (November - December 2014): There is nothing more joyful than the brightly lit CTA Holiday Train come this time of the year! The Chicago Transit Authority brings festive flair to typical El trains, but the rides don't cost a penny more than the usual $2.25 fare. On select weekdays and all weekends before Christmas, Santa dashes through the city in his sleigh (atop a flatbed car) pulled by decorated, peppermint-scented passenger coaches. At certain stops, jolly El conductors dressed in elf costumes take photos of kids with Santa and hand out candy canes; on some days, the train delivers food baskets to charitable organizations. Holiday music plays throughout the six cars, which are tricked out with holiday-patterned upholstery and tinsel garland-wrapped poles. Check the website for an updated schedule soon.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Daley Plaza (November 25, 2014): The City of Chicago is proud to present the 101st Anniversary of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Daley Plaza, Tuesday, November 25. This highly-anticipated event draws people of all ages to the heart of Chicago's downtown "Loop." Live performances and festive holiday music begin at 4:30pm and the holiday season officially commences at 5pm, when the switch is flipped and the lights begin to sparkle in Daley Plaza.

ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo (November 28, 2014 - January 4, 2015):ZooLights is a spectacular holiday celebration that transforms Lincoln Park Zoo into a winter wonderland. This free event illuminates the sky with more than two million lights, including larger-than-life lighted animal and seasonal features, holiday crafts and activities and, of course, sweet treats. Be sure to swing by the Helen Brach Primate House for a visit with Santa Claus as well. Take a ride on the brand new Lionel Train Adventure through the snowy birch forest and craggy canyon. Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo returns this holiday season. Skate past ponies and glide next to goats at the rink at Farm-in-the-Zoo. Warm winter drinks and snacks are available for purchase as well.

Brew Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo (December 3, 2014): And don't limit yourself to ZooLights at that - in its inaugural year, Brew Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo will offer a savory selection of holiday cheer on tap at the first-ever BrewLights Presented by Louis Glunz Beer. This new beer-tasting event takes place during ZooLights Presented by ComEd and PNC Bank - one of Chicago's most loved holiday traditions - adding a dazzling dimension to the adult fun. Guests will enjoy a dozen different draft beer samples, then have the opportunity to purchase additional pours of their favorite brews. Food will also be available for purchase.

Holiday Shopping

Macy's Holiday Window Exhibits (November 8, 2014 - January 11, 2015): The epicenter of magic in Chicago's winter wonderland! Macy's on State Street is of course a quintessential holiday shopping  destination, but outside, however, is where the real magic happens. Peer into large windows exquisitely decorated by a dedicated team of painters, welders, costume-makers, engineers, visual artists and carpenters.  This year's theme is "The Journey of a Christmas Wish." Combining traditional old school artistry with gorgeous visual elements, the windows follow a heroin's imagination as she mails her wish list to Santa at Macy's on State Street. Spectators will follow a fantasy voyage through Santa's workshop with adorable hard working Elves, to Santa's journey to deliver gifts around the world and concludes with Santa and Rudolph checking their list in front of the famous State Street Great Clock.

Lightscape: A Multisensory Experience on State Street (Ongoing): Lightscape: A Multisensory Experience on State Street is a one-of-a-kind light and sound installation that creates vivid patterns of color, choreographed to music, along State Street. Each year, the Chicago Loop Alliance adorns the city's historic Loop district with glittering holiday lights. The unique installation adorns the Loop with dancing color and light, expertly choreographed to music. The light and sound displays are programmed to change with every season, offering visitors a new and festive experience with each trip to the district. From 10 am to 8 pm each day, the installation's embedded speakers broadcast musical selections and special announcements, as lights change patterns in synchronization with songs, a particularly captivating and joyful way to enjoy the holiday season through light in Chicago.

Festive Tours

Chicago Trolley Holiday Lights Tour (November 28, 2014 - January 4, 2015): Don't limit yourself to exploring just one of Chicago's greatest holiday lights displays - climb aboard the Chicago Trolley Holiday Lights Tour for a journey of dazzling lights and holiday sights including Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, The Magnificent Mile, State Street and Macy's Holiday windows. "Grab some cocoa and stretch your legs when the trolley makes its stop at the Old World German outdoor market, Christkindlmarket, on Daley Plaza," says Walt Chadick, former trolley driver who is now charter sales director of Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co.

Absolutely Chicago Segway Holiday Lights Tour (Thursday - Sunday, November 29 - December 22, 2014): Feeling a little more adventurous? Don't miss out on any of Chicago's holiday lights with a tour alongside other segways with the Absolutely Chicago Segway Holiday Lights Tour. This unique adventure gives visitors not only the experience to bundle up and take to the Chicago streets via Segway, but presents great views of Chicago's best lit holiday locations, such as "the Bean" and the ice skaters beneath. Whiz past the gorgeous holiday window displays at Macy's (formerly Marshall Fields) and along tree-lit Michigan Avenue. And of course the tour wouldn't be complete without a stop at the famous Christkindlmarket, Chicago's annual open-air event during the holiday season.

Museum Exhibits

Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights - Museum of Science and Industry (November 13, 2014 - January 4, 2015): As always, the Museum's 45-foot Grand Tree takes center stage in the Rotunda, surrounded by more than 50 smaller trees beautifully decorated by volunteers from Chicago's ethnic communities to represent their various cultures and holiday traditions. Stroll through the trees, enjoy intermittent falling "snow" and savor the performances on the Holiday Stage. School choral groups perform during the week, and ethnic song and dance performances take place on the weekends in conjunction with the exhibit. Included in Museum Entry.

Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Celebration at the Dusable Museum (December 26 - December 31, 2014): Join the DuSable Museum for its annual Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration. Kwanzaa is a 7 day celebration (December 26-January 1) originated in the United States and is now celebrated throughout the African Diaspora. Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga and this celebration honors African-American heritage, history, and culture through the seven principles known as Nguzo Saba!