Thousands flock to Aurora Festival of Lights on Christmas weekend

The 16th season of the Aurora Festival of Lights has ended successfully.

Open since the day after Thanksgiving, the popular drive-thru light show closed on Christmas end with vehicles waiting in lines more than a half-mile long to see the one-mile of dazzling lights … and a few famous friends waiting to greet them!

Mickey Mouse, Frosty the Snow Man, and Kevin the Minion were the added attractions on Christmas night, along with free Christmas bracelets for the first 1,000 children.

More than 12,000 onlookers in more than 4,000 vehicles made their way out in the sub-zero temperatures this holiday weekend to celebrate for many what is an annual family tradition.

For the first 15 years, the Aurora Festival of Lights was run by the local rotary club.

This year, the city adopted the light show as a city-sponsored new winter event, along with the new Christkindlmarket Aurora.

In total, the Aurora Festival of Lights drew more than 50,000 vehicles and 150,000 onlookers, while the Christkindlmarket drew more than 130,000 before it ended two days early due to the weather.

All donations collected at the festival will support youth programs that focus on mentoring and mental health. The city will announce the grant process during National Mentoring Month in January.