The Oak Park River Forest Holiday House Walk is the perfect opportunity to gather inspiration and check off some of your holiday shopping. On December 6th and 7th, this popular event invites you to step into six beautifully decorated historic homes, each featuring festive decor and creative holiday touches. Along with the house tours, you'll find a curated market featuring over 20 vendors offering unique gifts, gourmet food, and holiday treats. Get in the holiday spirit while supporting local vendors and artisans.
The Home for the Holidays event at the Frank Lloyd Wright Oak Park Home offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the Wright family’s festive traditions. On December 7th visitors can enjoy a free tour of the historic home, decorated with a stunning tree adorned with traditional German glass ornaments, poinsettias, and fresh greenery. The home’s decorations—as described by Wright's son—offer a glimpse into the family’s holiday celebrations with stockings, candy, and festive cheer.
Who said trick-or-treating is just for Halloween? Winterfest in Downtown Oak Park is an interactive holiday experience filled with treats! The event kicks off at 10 am with carols from the Heritage Chorale. The main event is the Cookie Walk where 29 local businesses will hand out cookies, chocolates, and other treats to those with their 2024 Cookie Walk tin. Be sure to register in advance to claim your tin which can be picked up from the hospitality tent the day of the event. From 12 pm to 1 pm, you can warm up in the lobby of Byline Bank with a performance by The Juliet Trio, a jazz group of OPRF High School students. If you’re not up for the walk through town, cozy up at the Lake Theatre with a free screening of Elf. Be on the lookout for Santa who will be wandering around town making his list and checking it twice!
The 2024 Nutcracker performance at Dominican University's Lund Auditorium in River Forest promises to be a highlight of the holiday season. Presented by Ballet Legere, the show will feature talented guest artists from renowned companies such as the American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. Performances include both weekday matinees, ideal for school groups (10 am on December 5th, 6th, and 9th), and weekend shows for families to enjoy (December 7th and 8th). In addition to the magical dance sequences, attendees can expect stunning choreography and a festive atmosphere that will capture the spirit of the season.
Join Oak Park and River Forest for their 2024 Holiday Promise concert on December 15 held at Concordia University's Chapel. The performance will feature Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, with soloist Kuang-Hao Huang, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, and Copland's Tender Land Suite. A pre-concert conversation begins at 3 pm, and the concert starts at 4 pm. Tickets are $30, with free admission for students. The event promises to be the musical celebration of the season.
Holiday Magic is Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival at the Brookfield Zoo and is a holiday must! This event uses over two million twinkling LED lights to create scenes like giant illuminated animals, a dazzling tunnel show, Santa, and captivating walkthrough displays! Santa himself makes an appearance between 5 pm and 8 pm (November 22nd through December 22nd) at the Pavilions. New for 2024 is their Holiday Market where you can warm up with seasonal food and beverages and shop unique finds for those on your shopping list.
Celebrate the holiday season at Brookfield Zoo's 2024 Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party on December 7th, from 11 am to 2 pm. This gingerbread decorating fundraiser is fun for the whole family, featuring a delicious brunch and dessert buffet complete with a hot cocoa bar and mimosa and Bloody Mary bar for the adults. Guests can enjoy gingerbread house decorating with professional decorators on hand, meet Santa, and interact with some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors while supporting the Women's Board of Brookfield Zoo. Proceeds from this festive fundraiser benefit educational, scholarship, and conservation initiatives.
The whole family will enjoy Dinner with Santa at Brookfield Zoo—truly a magical event. Enjoy a delicious and festive dinner full of seasonal delicacies before meeting the big bearded guy himself. There will also be photo opportunities with Santa, making it a memorable experience for all attendees. Be sure to leave time to enjoy Brookfield Zoo’s iconic Holiday Magic light festival before or after your dinner. Tickets are limited so reserve your spot on the Zoo website below.
The 2nd Annual Kris Kringle Market in downtown Brookfield is set to be a holiday spectacle that promises fun for all ages. With over 70 vendors offering unique crafts and gifts, visitors can enjoy shopping while sipping from a newly designed, promotional 16 oz mug. Young entrepreneurs will also showcase their talents, and kids can write their wishes to Santa with the help of playful elf assistants. The festive day includes trolley rides through town, a petting zoo, and photo opportunities with Santa. The fun begins at 10 am and finishes at dusk with a heartwarming tree lighting ceremony in front of the historic Grossdale Station, making it a memorable community celebration.
Experience the magic of the annual Holiday Walk on Madison Street in Forest Park, IL! This festive tradition transforms Madison Street into a winter wonderland with sparkling window displays, merchant open houses, and plenty of family-friendly fun. Highlights include horse-drawn sleigh rides, balloon twisting, face painting, and a dazzling ice sculpture photo op. Don't miss Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by fire engine at 6 PM to light the tree at Constitution Court. From 6-8 PM, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Forest Park Bank, and enjoy sleigh rides and other festive activities until 9 PM. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
On December 23, get ready to hang out with Santa for an afternoon of bowling, pizza, and fun. Robert’s Westside has rented out Circle Lanes for an event like no other. From 3 pm to 6 pm, enjoy some bowling and a festive atmosphere while sporting your best holiday outfit (or Santa suit). With games, prizes, and a chance to meet Santa, this event is perfect for families and friends to celebrate the season. The event starts and finishes at Robert’s Westside and is suited for family members of all ages. Register as an individual or a team. Check their website for details.
Join Santa for a special holiday breakfast at the Franklin Park Park District’s North Park location. This festive event gives children the chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa and take a memorable photo with the jolly man himself. Afterward, each child will receive a special treat to mark the occasion. Space is limited, so be sure to register early as all participants—including adults!—must sign up for this popular event in advance.
North Riverside Park Mall is spreading holiday cheer with special coupons available throughout December! You can find deals on delicious bites from food court favorites like Mrs. Fields and Asia Hut, as well as savings at popular stores like Claire’s and Pandora. Coupons are easily accessible online at the mall’s website, with printed copies also available at Guest Services.
Join the fun at North Riverside Park Mall on December 7th for Christmas Crafts with Mrs. Claus, a delightful event for families! On December 7th, from 10 am to 12 pm, kids will have the opportunity to make festive crafts with Mrs. Claus at the North Court, just in time for the holidays. This event is free for Kids Club members, though registration is required to secure a spot. While you're there, don't forget to visit Santa in Center Court for photos.
Join the La Grange Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 7th for holiday fun and merriment. This festive event kicks off with an all-village sing-along and Santa's grand arrival by fire truck to the Village Hall, followed by the traditional lighting of the Village tree. Afterward, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos at Village Hall. Stroll through Downtown and the West End to enjoy retail open houses, dazzling ice sculptures, and unique shopping opportunities. Kids will love the free kiddie train rides, petting zoo, and other delightful activities designed to spread holiday cheer.
Join the La Grange Area Historical Society for their festive Holiday Open House on December 8th from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Vial House. This charming event offers a step back in time, as the historic home is beautifully decorated to showcase Christmas through the decades. Enjoy holiday music, seasonal refreshments, and activities for the kids. Don't forget to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a stunning Christmas arrangement donated by the La Grange Garden Club. It's a perfect afternoon of old-fashioned cheer for the whole family.
Hosted by the La Grange Area Historical Society, the Holiday Sips and Sweets Tour invites guests to enjoy an evening of hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and desserts in four historic La Grange homes. The event offers a unique glimpse into festive holiday traditions and decorations, with each stop featuring delicious treats paired with holiday drinks. Participants will visit homes such as the Hines, Peterson, Cultra, and Historic Samuel Vial Home. This 21+ event promises a wonderful way to celebrate the season with friends.
La Grange Park’s Tree Lighting Ceremony is a Christmas Spectacular that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. On December 6, 2024, from 6 pm to 7 pm join the community for the magical moment of the tree lighting in Memorial Park. Sponsored by local businesses, the event offers live musical performances that let you enjoy the seasonal spirit with friends and neighbors while surrounded by a winter wonderland filled with beautifully decorated trees. Don’t miss this cherished holiday tradition that kicks off the season in La Grange Park!
The Tree Lighting Ceremony in Maywood is a vibrant celebration that’s certain to get the whole family in the holiday spirit. The event will feature live performances from the Irving Middle School "Showstoppers," the Stairway of the Stars, Flames Cheerleaders, and the Proviso East Marching Band. The festivities include a visit from Santa, who will join the community for a festive evening of caroling, live music, and holiday cheer.
The holiday season is not complete without the annual Riverside Holiday Stroll, taking place this year on Friday, December 6th! Nearly 50 years running, this beloved community tradition is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season. Local businesses open their doors and invite the community to enjoy various crafts, snacks, and entertainment. The main event is the annual lighting of the village Christmas tree in Centennial Park. Following the lighting, families can gather for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy caroling with the Riverside School District choir students. Don’t miss this magical evening to kick off the holidays in Riverside!
Kick off the winter season with two evenings of holiday cheer at the Westchester Holiday Walk on December 4th and 5th. Starting at 6 pm, the festive evening includes an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and features holiday favorites like visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Storybook Trail, and the chance to meet real reindeer. Kids and families can also enjoy camel rides, groove to music from a DJ, and sip on hot cocoa. With so many magical activities, it's the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
Calling all pet lovers! Claus & Paws hosted at Westchester Community Park is the perfect chance to get your furry friends in on the holiday cheer and create lasting memories. On Friday, December 6th from 6 pm to 8 pm, bring your pets to snap memorable photos with Santa.