Niles Holly Jolly Market Lights Up The Night, Village Tree

NILES, IL — The annual tree lighting ceremony and Holly Jolly Market event Saturday in Niles. The event runs from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Oasis Fun Center, 7877 N. Milwaukee Ave. Scheduled events include meetings with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, rides in horse-drawn sleigh, a trackless train, a petting zoo and ice carving sculptures.

Local vendors will be on hand selling holiday and gift items at the Christmas Market. The Niles-Maine District Library will offer the chance to create crafts.

Seasonal music will be provided courtesy of the Willows Academy Chamber Choir, Gemini Idols Show Choir and DJ Jules.

Attendees can bring a new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, and bring non-perishable food items for free horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Food will include popcorn and hot roasted nuts. Beverage options include water, soda, beer and hot mulled wine, for purchase with cash only.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks show. The event is free.

Partners for the 2018 Niles Holly Jolly event include the Niles Park District, the Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Niles-Maine District Library and CD One Price Cleaners.

Traffic and Parking:
Motorists were asked to take care of the large number of pedestrian and event traffic around the Holly Jolly Festival and the area of the Oasis Water Park.

Starting at 5 p.m. the 7700 block of Milwaukee Avenue and West Mulford Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic, with both northbound and southbound traffic diverted into the southbound lane until after the conclusion of the fireworks at 5:30 p.m.

North Odell Avenue between Kirk and Mulford streets will be closed from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, with the area reserved for event set-up and handicapped parking. The village said parking for the event will be available at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home and Royal Bank, across the street.

More info from the Village of Niles