Record-setting crowd attends Mag Mile Lights Festival

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - Thousands of people came to downtown Chicago on Saturday night for the 27th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

"It's gorgeous," said Pam Brueggeman, a visitor from Florida. "The lights are pretty cool and I'm excited about all the street being lit up."

It felt a bit like the North Pole as families wrapped up to stay warm.

"My fingers are freezing right now," said North Side resident Brooke Jackson.

But the cold weather did not put a chill on the record crowd. Cindy Kienzle of Lake Forest brought her daughter, Lily, to see this Chicago tradition for the first time.

"I just think it's exciting to be around people from all over and we get to just met all these people waiting and it's just fun, it's festive and it brings on the holiday," Kienzle said.

A new addition this year was the holiday-inspired Art on the Mart display at the Merchandise Mart.

"It's festive," said North Side resident Timothy Jackson. "It really brings in the holiday and gets people in the mood. It's a fun time."