Tons of holiday happenings this weekend

The holidays are in full swing all across Chicagoland. From Rogers Park to Tinley Park, La Grange to Logan Square and everywhere in between, our neighborhoods are in the mood for a little celebration. Check out what’s happening this weekend.

Christmas Walk:Presented by AMITA Health

The 51st Annual Hinsdale Christmas Walk, presented by AMITA Health, will feature a “Cookies Carousel.” Take a ride on the 30-foot carousel along with “Cookies Trackless Train.” Santa will arrive by fire truck at 5 p.m. for the tree lighting at Village Hall. There also will be animated holiday characters, ice carvers, live reindeer, and giveaways.


Holiday Happenings in Downtown Tinley Park

Featuring live entertainment, specialty vendors, kids’ crafts and activities, and food. Enjoy tree lighting ceremony, parades, carriage rides, movies and carnival rides. Visit website for schedule of events.


Holiday Lights in Homewood

The evening features a tree lighting ceremony, outdoor marketplace, ice sculpture carvings, live reindeer petting zoo, antique car parade, the arrival of Santa and his friends on the Homewood fire truck and more. Free musical trolleys shuttle shoppers through downtown to each store and activity. Dr. KirschnerÂ’s brass band performs songs of the season all evening long. The Homewood Science Center explores circuits and snowflakes with a hands-on activity that can be added to the illuminated community art installation.


Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting

The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Walk features live-action store window displays, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a marshmallow roast, face painting, refreshments, and Santa.


GenevaÂ’s Great Tree Lighting and Christmas Walk

Santa Lucia arrives by horse-drawn carriage and Santa arrives to open the Gingerbread House. Enjoy carolers, the Great Tree lighting, old fashioned candy cane pull, roasted chestnuts, Swedish cookies and shopping. Call for Santa hours and complimentary horse-drawn carriage ride times/date.


Southport Holiday Stroll

Southport boutiques, restaurants and neighborhood service businesses break out the holly and stay open late for this annual tradition complete with music, complimentary beverages and appetizers, a sleigh, carolers, discounts, free samples and more. “Selfies Stations” located throughout Lakeview, and photos with Santa from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shiel Park.


Winterfest

Includes an outdoor ice skating rink, fresh wreaths and trees, photos with Santa, Snowflake Cafe and hot cocoa bar (plus winter cocktails) and the Mistletoe Market indoor craft fair.


Barrington Aglow Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival

Barrington will be alive with holiday merriment throughout the town. Includes Santa visits, carolers, cookies, hot cocoa, storytimes, dance performances, carriage rides, trolley rides and more. The event culminates with the annual tree lighting at Village Center (5-6:30 p.m.) and Santa will arrive at the tree lighting on a fire truck.


Lincoln Avenue Jolly-Pa-Looza

Features Santa and Mrs. Claus strolling the street and visiting shops along with special programming, free refreshments and holiday specials at participating businesses.


Hometown Holiday

Festive merchant open houses, musicians, strolling carolers, trolley rides, petting zoo, pony rides, kiddie train and ice sculptures.


Holidays on the Square

Participating businesses will be celebrating the season with deals, sweets, treats, tastings, delicious pop up shops, trunk shows, Santa, a tree lighting and more.


Lights of Lisle

Festivities begin when the Santa Parade brings Santa to Main Street. “Once Upon a Christmas,” an annual event held at the Museums of Station Park campus, features children’s crafts, brick oven baking and blacksmithing. Take a trolley ride through the downtown to view thousands of luminaria that line the streets. Inside Village Hall, enjoy delicious holiday cookies, hot chocolate and festive holiday music.  The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony  is held at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.


City of Elgin Tree Lighting

The City of Elgin kicks off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Mayor David Kaptain, City Council Members, and Santa Claus will turn on the holiday tree lights at 5 p.m. 


Roscoe Village Winterfest

Kickoff the holiday season with the annual tree lighting and late night shopping on Saturday. Enjoy kids’ activities on Sunday plus trolley, choirs and Santa.


West Town Winterfest

The event takes place in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. Families are invited to “Shop the Block” for the holidays in chauffeured style.  Several “Jolly Trolleys” will run throughout the weekend, offering festgoers curated Shopping Tours. The 3-hour tours each feature six Shop Stops at different retail businesses throughout West Town and one Hospitality Stop at a local restaurant or bar mid-tour to sample holiday treats and drinks.


West Chicago Frosty Fest

Features a Christmas Parade, crafts and activities, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dance performances, live reindeer, carolers and a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus. Bring your camera and enjoy popcorn and hot chocolate.


Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival

Activities include tree lighting ceremony, Mistletoe Market, ice carving demonstrations, carolers, live reindeer display and of course a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.


Polar Palooza

Features some of the city’s “coolest” bands, plus an all-seasons synthetic ice skating rink, a Christmas tree lot, holiday shopping at unique, local, socially conscious vendor booths, and food and drink from some of the city’s best restaurants. There also will be glitter crafts, face painting, holiday cookie decorating and more.


Winterfest

Participate in the Cookie Walk, catch a glimpse of Saint Nicholas, enjoy a variety of family friendly acts and warm up inside the hospitality tent with free hot chocolate and coffee.


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