From tree lightings to sleigh rides to unique shopping opportunities, Chicago area cities and towns know how to celebrate the holidays.
Celebration of Lights Festival
Santa arrives and helps with the annual tree lighting ceremony for the city. Includes hayrides, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and hot dogs for sale, community sing-a-long, visits with Santa and a craft market.
Discover a traditional centuries-old holiday market in the heart of downtown Chicago. Christkindlmarket features German and international vendors who display hand-crafted ornaments, toys and unique gifts as well as traditional German foods, sweets and beverages. School groups, professional singers and dance groups perform. Special events include appearances by the Christkind and the annual Childrens Lantern Parade, which celebrates St. Martins Day. Nov. 18-Dec. 24.
Long Grove Holiday Festivities
An old-fashioned celebration comes alive in a picture-perfect holiday setting! Victorian buildings trimmed in lights, a covered bridge and cobblestone walkways lined in luminaries in beautiful historic Long Grove. There will be costumed carolers, strolling musicians and Santa and Mrs. Claus on weekends. Free horse-drawn carriage rides on Sundays beginning Nov. 26, 2016.
Enjoy indoor and outdoor lighted displays, designer wreaths and trees, and Garden-scale trains that wind their way over bridges and through tunnels, and past more than 80 miniature versions of Chicago landmarks, all handcrafted with natural materials.
ZooLights celebrates wintertime fun with more than two million lights to illuminate the zoo. This free event transitions Lincoln Park Zoo into a twinkling winter wonderland. The event is complete with visits from Santa himself, ice sculptors, holiday crafts and activities, and sweet treats of all kinds.
Andersonvilles Lucia celebration includes a procession starting at 4:45 p.m. from the Museum and returns for a program at 5:15 p.m. At 7 p.m., the celebration continues at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, with holiday songs, readings and a final Lucia procession.
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.
