Illinois 2019 Tree Lighting, Downtown Decorating Round-Up

ILLINOIS — If you're looking for holiday events to head out in your area, you've found the right place. Downtown decorating and holiday tree lightings are taking place all over the state, including in the Chicago suburbs. The days leading up to Christmas are jam-packed with holiday events, visits from Santa, holiday crafts and more.

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Here's a look at what's going on in the Chicago suburbs:

Cook County

Arlington Heights

• Tree Lighting Ceremony
• When: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
• Where: North School Park, Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road
• Details: The village of Arlington Heights installs and decorates an evergreen tree on the park's fountain and lights up the streetscape trees. Enjoy carols after the lighting ceremony, trolley rides through downtown, Vibe Dancers, AHPD Baton Group, Hersey High School Dickens Carolers, speakers and more.

Barrington

• Annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony
• When: 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Village Center, Cook and Station Street
• Details: The Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at South Cook Street, and Santa will arrive via fire truck at 5:15 p.m. Visits at the Santa House will run from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will also be free carriage rides around downtown and face painting from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., window displays, holiday carols by Barrington High School Madrigals at 4 p.m., and other festival events and sights beginning at 10 a.m.

Homewood

• Holiday Lights in Homewood
• When: 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6
• Where: Irwin Park, 18120 Highland Ave.
• Details: The tree lighting, free rides on a Polar Express electric trackless train, the Martin Avenue Outdoor Market opening, several food vendors, an antique carousel and more.

La Grange

• Holiday Walk
• When: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Downtown La Grange
• Details: Santa will arrive at village hall for the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a movie, crafts, photos, a petting zoo, pony rides, a kiddie train, and a choir performance.

Lemont

• Hometown Holiday
• When: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Downtown Lemont
• The downtown light display and the Christmas tree will be lit at the event. Hometown Holiday will also feature a visit with Santa, sleigh rides, kids activities, food and shopping at the Kris Kringle Market, 102 Stephen St.

Western Springs

• Winter Wonderland and Christmas Marketplace
• When: 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Tower Green, 916 Hillgrove Ave.
• Details: The official lighting of the village tree will be held at 5 p.m. There will also be a holiday market, visit from Santa, holiday music, food and drinks.

DuPage County

Clarendon Hills

• Christmas Walk
• When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
• Where: Downtown Clarendon Hills
• Details: There will be sleigh rides, music, carolers, ice sculpturists and a visit from Santa. The tree will be lit at 6 p.m.

Elmhurst

• Tree Lighting in Wilder Park
• When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
• Where: Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect Ave.
• Details: Santa arrives and the tree will be lit at 5:45 p.m. There will also be face painting, photos, games, a choir performance and more.

Glen Ellyn

• Tree Lighting
• When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
• Where: Crescent Boulevard and Main Street
• Details: Santa will arrive to light the tree at 6:30 p.m. He will then stick around for a visit.

Hinsdale

• Christmas Walk
• When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
• Where: Downtown Hinsdale
• Details: The tree will be lit at 5 p.m. at village hall. There will also be a carousel, trackless train, carolers, a visit from Santa and more.

Wheaton

• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
• When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
• Where: Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St.
• Details: This year marks the first year the holiday tree will be up at City Hall and it will be a planted tree that residents can watch grow from year to year.

Kane County

Batavia

• Celebration of Lights Festival
• When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1
• Where: Batavia Riverwalk (Houston Street and Island Avenue)
• Details: There will be a community sing-a-long, roasted chestnuts, tree lighting ceremony, free hayrides through Christmas Tree Lane and visits with Santa, who arrives at 5:30 p.m. At 5:45 p.m., Santa can be found in the warming house of the Peg Bond Center where children can visit with him and receive a free treat. Don't miss Batavia Depot Museum's Light Up the Bank at 6 p.m., followed by Story Hour hosted by the Batavia Public Library at the Gustafson Research Center.

Geneva

• Christmas Walk
• When: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6
• Where: The festivities kick off at the Courthouse Square downtown.
• Details: It all starts with the arrival of Santa Lucia, the first candy cane of the season, and Santa lighting the great tree – and continue with roasted chestnuts, strolling carolers and a live nativity.

Montgomery

• Christmas Tree Lighting
• When: 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1
• Where: Village hall, 200 N. River St.
• Details: Music performances from students from local schools, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday snacks and more.

St. Charles

• Holiday Homecoming
• When: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
• Where: Main Street, downtown St. Charles
• Details: Free of charge; Holiday Homecoming will get underway in St. Charles on the day after Thanksgiving, and will include the official lighting of the display on the First Street Plaza and an appearance and visits with Santa Claus.

Lake County

Antioch

• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in Antioch
• When: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Antioch, 608 Holbeck Drive; the parade takes place on Main Street between Park Avenue and Depot/Orchard Street.
• Details: Immediately following the Christmas Parade, the village will hold the annual tree lighting ceremony in front of the village hall. The Antioch Community High School Chorus will join us with some old-fashioned caroling and there will be a special visit from Santa.

Grayslake

• Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market
• When: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
• Where: Downtown Grayslake, Center and Whitney St.
• Details: Santa arrives at the holiday tree at the corner of Center and Whitney Street at 5:30 p.m. Visit with Santa at The Oasis beginning at 3 p.m. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping when the Holiday Market at the Grayslake Museum begins at 5 p.m. Sleigh rides take place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Lake Zurich

• Miracle on Main Street in Lake Zurich
• When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Downtown Lake Zurich, Rotary Park, 7 E. Main St.
• Details: This event features a beautiful 35-foot tree that will be on display for the holiday season, an opportunity to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and their reindeer. Event entertainment includes Lake Zurich High School's Bare Voices, a DJ and the Academy of Performing Arts. There will be children's crafts, sleigh rides, adult beverages, and food vendors.

Libertyville

• Village Tree Lighting & Downtown Holiday Walk
• When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
• Where: Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• Details: Featuring music, singing, and other holiday-themed entertainment. A special invitation has been sent to Santa Claus to help with the official countdown for the lighting of the Village Holiday Tree at 7 p.m.. There will be a special area set up for photos with Santa, and the Ansel Be. Cook Mansion will be open for tours.

Vernon Hills

• Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony
• When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
• Where: Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive
• Details: The holiday season begins when Mayor Roger Byrne flips the switch to the holiday tree. Bring the family, the neighbors, and the kids out for hot chocolate, cookies, and cider.

McHenry County

Algonquin

• Miracle on Main
• When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Community Tree Lighting at The Plaza — Old Town Algonquin, 2 S. Main St.
• Details: Celebrate the holiday season with your family and neighbors at Miracle on Main, featuring free family activities for everyone to enjoy. Activities will kick off with the arrival of Santa and the annual tree lighting ceremony at The Plaza. Admission to the event is free, and a donation bin for Toys for Tots will be made available for new, unwrapped toys.

Crystal Lake

• Festival of Lights Parade
• When: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
• Where: Downtown Crystal Lake, corner of Williams and Brink
• Details: The theme of the 2019 Festival of Lights Parade is "A Dr. Seuss Christmas." Santa Claus comes to town during this evening filled with lights, music, pageantry and more. The parade ends at the corner of Williams and Crystal Lake Avenue when Santa lights the 40-foot Community Christmas Tree.

McHenry

McHenry Toys for Tots Parade, Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting

• When: 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24
• Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl St.
• Details: Toys for Tots Parade takes place 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Downtown Christmas Walk with food, store sales, characters, trolley and more takes place 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and tree lighting will kick off at 5 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park.

Huntley

• A Very Merry Huntley
• When: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 (day 1); 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 (day 2)
• Where: Village of Huntley Municipal Complex, 10987 Main St. (day 1); Huntley Town Square, 10987 Main St. (day 2)
• Details: Indoor Farmers Market and Craft Fair, the 1st Congregational Church Bell Choir's Famous Cookie Walk, free hot chocolate, Caroling with the Merry Maskers, Community Pasta Dinner in the Legion Hall at 5 p.m.; Santa arrives by fire truck and the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Gazebo and Town Square, plus the Holiday Fireworks show, and pictures with Santa in the gazebo.

Will County

Frankfort

• Lighting of the Green
• When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
• Where: Breidert Green, Kansas and Oak streets in downtown Frankfort
• Details: There will be performances by the Hickory Creek Middle School choir and the Black Willow Brass quintet. Refreshments will be served, and guests will also get a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Homer Glen

• Homer For The Holidays
• When: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Heritage Park, 14240 W. 151st St.
• The village will light its new holiday lights display. Lights include light sculptures, mini-lights, pole lights and tree spritzers. There will also be photos with Santa, holiday crafts, live music, hot cocoa, free train rides and more. The event is free and for all ages.

Joliet

• Light Up The Holiday Festival and Parade
• When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29
• Where: Downtown Joliet along North Chicago Street.
• Details: There's a Fantastic Fun Fair inside the Joliet Area Historical Museum's auditorium. Other activities are at places including: Joliet Public Library, Jitters Coffeehouse, Chicken-N-Spice, Chevere Latin Cafe, JJC's City Center Campus, etc. The switch to turn on the lights for the Christmas tree at Van Buren Plaza gets flipped at 5:15 p.m.

Lockport

• Christmas in the Square
• When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
• Where: Central Square, 222 E. Ninth St.
• Details: Tree lighting on the front lawn of Central Square. The event will feature a visit from Santa, children's crafts, treats and entertainment. The Gladys Fox Museum will host its Festival of Trees; and it's also Small Business Saturday for Lockport businesses.

Manhattan

• Christmas On State
• When: All day, Saturday, Dec. 7
• Where: Different locations through Manhattan, but the tree lighting will be held in Time Square.
• Details: The event will include holiday crafts, scavenger hunt, holiday arts and crafts show, visit from Santa, the Parade of Lights and a tree lighting.

New Lenox

• Christmas in the Commons
• When: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
• Where: Village Commons, parking available in the south lot of the village hall, at New Lenox Public Library and Trinity Services
• Details: The official lighting ceremony will be held with free popcorn, cookies, a coloring contest and food trucks.

Plainfield

• Grinchmas on the Green
• When: 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30
• Where: Village Green Park, 24121 W. Chicago St.
• Details: Featuring a visit from the Grinch, Santa, park district mascot Scout, tree lighting and a movie.

Romeoville

• Winter Wonderland
• When: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
• Where: Edward Hospital Athletic and Events Center, 55 Phelps Ave.
• Details: The tree lighting will kick off the event at 6 p.m. There will be a visit from Santa, hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, entertainment and more.