Tree lighting ceremonies around Chicago for 2012

There's something warm about a community coming together in the cold, hot chocolates in hand, holiday music twinkling, waiting for the oohs and aahs as the city or village tree is lit. Here's a list of tree lighting ceremonies around the Chicago area this holiday.

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Geneva’s Great Tree Lighting and Christmas WalkFREE

Geneva’s Great Tree Lighting and Christmas Walk | Geneva
December 7 (Friday,Saturday) , 6 p.m.

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. At 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, Chef Alain Roby will try to break the record for the world's longest candy cane. The candy cane will stretch 40 feet down Third Street, beginning at Third and Campbell and stretching to the intersection of Third and Janes.

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Old Fashioned Tree LightingFREE

Old Fashioned Tree Lighting | Elmhurst
December 6 (Thursday) , 6 p.m.

Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, a visit with Santa and live music.

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City of Elgin Tree LightingFREE

City of Elgin Tree Lighting | Elgin
December 1, Noon-6 p.m.

Families are invited to help decorate the official Community Holiday Tree starting at noon by bringing home-made ornaments crafted from natural or recycled materials. Kids bringing an ornament will receive $2 off coupons for "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play" at The Hemmens. The tree lighting takes place at 5 p.m., with Santa's arrival and a performance by the Elgin Children's Chorus. Other activities include ornament-making on the lower level of The Hemmens and free skating at City-Skate from noon-9 p.m. The Salvation Army will be giving out free hot chocolate and accepting non-perishable food donations.

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Roscoe Village WinterfestFREE

Roscoe Village Winterfest | Chicago
December 1 - December 2 (Sunday,Saturday) , 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 2

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

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Holiday Walk and Tree LightingFREE

Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting | Forest Park
November 30 (Friday) , Visit website for schedule of events.

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.

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Holiday Market in Downtown Tinley ParkFREE

Holiday Market in Downtown Tinley Park | Tinley Park
November 30 - December 2 (Sunday,Friday,Saturday) , 6-9 p.m. Nov. 30; noon-6 p.m. Dec. 1; noon-5 p.m. Dec. 2, 2012

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.

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Light Up the Holidays FestivalFREE

Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade | Joliet
November 23 (Friday) , Visit website for schedule of events

There will be family activities at several locations including a tree lighting ceremony, parade and other events throughout the day. Visit website for a complete list of events.

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Wreathing of the Lions

Wreathing of the Lions | Chicago
November 23 (Friday) , 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The traditional ceremony of wreathing the Art Institute's lions takes place on the steps at 10 a.m. After the ceremony, visit a drop-in workshop to create small golden embossed relief sculptures inspired by Roman and Early Byzantine Treasures from the British Museum and the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and a hoilday wreath. Include a live performance by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, complimentary hot chocolate, and an appearance by Artie the Lion.

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Daley Plaza Annual Tree Lighting and Santa HouseFREE

Daley Plaza Annual Tree Lighting and Santa House | Chicago
November 20 (Wednesday) , Tree Lighting: 4:30 p.m. Nov. 20; Santa House: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 21; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 22; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday Nov. 23-Dec. 16; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily Dec. 17-23; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 24. Visit website to confirm dates and times

Watch the Daley Plaza tree light, along with live performances and holiday music. Visit Santa's House from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.

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Festival of Trees

Festival of Trees | Joliet
November 19 - November 25 (Sunday,Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday) , Visit the website for a complete schedule of events. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Weeklong holiday fest features display of holiday trees, wreaths and decorations; numerous special events such as concerts, holiday classic films, performance of the Nutcracker and the Teddy Bear Tea. Visit the website for a complete schedule of events.