Nothing kicks off the holiday season better for Aurora resident Jesus Ruiz, 14, then coming to the city’s annual Winter Lights Festival. “I have come to the parade before and while I&#8… ...

Aurora kicked off the holiday season in the merriest way on a mild weather night. More than 7,000 people were in downtown Aurora on Friday, Nov. 17, for the annual Winter Lights Festival.

The Winter Lights Festival will run until 9 p.m. The event is a partnership between the city of Aurora, the Aurora Downtown group, Chicago Premium Outlets mall and ComEd.