Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells ..... it is time to think about holiday fun! Here are a list of favorite truly not-to-be missed holiday events in the Chicago suburbs! This list should help you plan out the next few weeks so you can maximize your time! I also added Stroll on State in Rockford because it is worth the drive! We are going for our second time this year. Enjoy!
Dickens Holiday Village and Kringle's Christmas Village Tour in Antioch November 4-December 25; over 50 handcrafted Dickens character will be featured around town, free walking tour available, special events select Saturdays, Kringle's Christmas Village shadowboxes also decorate the town
Illumination at Morton Arboretum in Lisle; November 17-January 1; a light show in the trees, interactive displays and more, check website for more description on prices and times, purchase tickets in advance
Christkindlmarket Naper Settlement, Naperville; November 24-December 24; Thursdays - Sundays November 24-December 17; every day December 18-24; free admission; also check out Naper Lights at Naper Settlement
Wonderland Express at Chicago Botanic Garden; Glencoe, November 24-January 7 varying times; model trains traveling in holiday magic through mini Chicago landmarks; check website for ticket prices and schedule
Festival of Lights Parade Crystal Lake; November 24; 7PM-8:30PM; kick off the holiday season with a light parade; free
Stroll on State Rockford; November 25 2PM-9PM; fantastic way to kick of the holidays with ice carvings, hayrides, musical entertainment, a Santa visit, local merchants, a parade, s'mores and much more
Celebration of Lights Festival; Batavia River Walk; November 26; 4PM-7PM, hayrides, ornament making, roasted chestnuts, lighting up the caboose, Santa arrival and more, free but some activities may require a low fee or donation of a food item
Santa Christmas Walk Geneva; December 1 6:00PM-9:30PM; arrival of Santa Lucia who will distribute Swedish cookies; Santa visits; tree lighting; chestnuts roasting; live nativity; free
Home for the Holidays Barrington December 2 10AM-6:30PM; holiday events throughout the village; dancers, ice carving, petting zoo, trolley rides, Santa, tree lighting, model train display and much more; free
Jinglebell Jubilee, Lombard; December 2; 5PM-9PM, Lilacia Park, dancers, Santa's arrival, live music, hot cocoa, kids activities, candlelight tours at history museum, more; free
Mistletoe Market and Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival at Cantigny Park in Wheaton December 2; Mistletoe Market will run from 1PM-7PM and give you an opportunity to shop from local makers; Celebrate the Season runs 4PM-7PM and will include sleigh rides, live reindeer, crafts, story time and more; some small fees may apply; parking $5 per car.
Christmas in the Valley at Spring Valley in Schaumburg December 2 & 3 12:00PM-4:00PM; see how German farm families from the 19th century celebrated the holidays, traditional Santa, crafts and more; $3 pp or $12 per family (6 or fewer), addt'l members $6
Reindeer Run and Rotary Santa Run Arlington Heights, December 2 10AM; participants 13 and older $40; 12 and younger $30 first 2000 registrants can borrow a Santa costume; Reindeer Run for younger kids -- $5 per participant
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, December 2-17 on Saturdays & Sundays only; December 26-31; 4PM-9PM; polar lights, 41-foot talking tree, carolers, ice carvers, interactive tic tac toe and more; free with zoo admission; $19.85for adults, $14.50 for kids & seniors; save online
Moonlight and Mistletoe Barrington, Citizen's Park; December 15 4PM-8:30PM; indoor/outdoor activities, ice skating light show, reserve a time to see Santa, free hot chocolate
Wow! There's a lot going on for the holidays in Chicago! This is a great list.
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