Holiday tree lightings, parades in the suburbs

Addison tree lighting: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Addison Municipal Complex, Friendship Plaza and Kennedy Drive. Holiday shopping, food, caroling by schoolchildren, visits with Santa. Lights go on at 8 p.m. (630) 693-7553 or asorce@addison-il.org. (630) 543-4100 or addisonadvantage.org.

Algonquin Holiday Rock on the Fox: 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Riverfront Park. Community tree lighting, candy cane hunt, visit with Santa, music from the Merry Maskers and the Algonquin Middle School choir. Free.

Antioch Christmas parade and tree lighting: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Parade goes down Main Street from Park Avenue to Orchard Avenue, and concludes with the lighting of the Antioch Family Christmas tree outside the Village Hall. Homemade cookies, hot chocolate, caroling, Santa. (847) 395-2160.

Arlington Heights tree-lighting and Quasquicentennial kickoff: 4:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 in North School Park, Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road. More than 80,000 tiny lights illuminate the fantasy toy displays and the tree. The village also will use the event to kick off its yearlong celebration of Arlington Heights' 125 years of incorporation. Free.

Aurora tree lighting: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23; downtown Aurora, North Island Center, 8 E. Galena Blvd. Includes winners of the Miss Merry Christmas and Jack Frost contests. Free. (630) 844-4731.

Barrington tree lighting and holiday festival: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 in downtown Barrington; free carriage rides, strolling Madrigal Singers, hot chocolate and cookies, extended evening store hours in shops and restaurants. Santa arrives at 5 p.m. on a fire engine to light the Christmas tree, then visit with children in his red Santa House on South Cook Street. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., catch the trolley on South Cook Street, with stops at the Ice House Mall, Lageschulte Street and the Foundry Shopping Center.

Bartlett tree lighting: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the gazebo in Bartlett Park, North and Oak avenues. Santa will be at the Log Cabin before the tree lighting, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. (630) 830-0324, or www.bartlettchamber.com.

Batavia Celebration of Lights Festival: 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue. Hayrides, community singalong at 5:45 p.m., Santa, tree lighting; holiday stories, more. Free. Park north of the Government Center. bataviaparks.org.

Bloomingdale tree lighting: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, tree lighting at the Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way, followed by the library's annual open house at 7 p.m. (630) 924-2720 or mybpl.org.

Carol Stream tree lighting: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road. (630) 665-7050 or carolstream.org.

‘Merry Cary' holiday parade and festival: Noon-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4; annual parade down West Main Street at 1 p.m. After parade visit downtown for pony rides, holiday music, petting zoo, meet Santa, food and refreshments at local restaurants. Free.

Crystal Lake Festival of Lights Parade: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, Main Street, downtown Crystal Lake. Santa, decorated floats, marchers and music. Starts at City Hall, ends at Crystal Lake Avenue. Visits with Santa begin after the parade. (815) 479-0835 or downtowncl.org.

Cuneo Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show: Cuneo Museum and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills: 6-10 p.m. daily Nov. 25-Jan. 1, closed Christmas Eve and Day. $5 per car Monday-Thursday; $10 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. www.vernonhills.org/special events. or cuneomuseum.org.

Des Plaines tree lighting: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in Metropolitan Square, downtown Des Plaines between Lee Street and Pearson Avenue. Salvation Army Band; the Maine West Band; the Maine West Choraliers; Artistry in Motion dance troupe. Refreshments; the Des Plaines Theater will show a holiday family movie after the lighting. Santa arrives on fire truck at 4:15 p.m. Free.

Dickens in Dundee: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3 on downtown Main Street, West Dundee. The 24th annual holiday celebration starts at 6 p.m. Friday with tree lighting and caroling. The Spirit of Christmas Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday. dickensindundee.org for complete list of events. (847) 622-3848.

Elburn Christmas Stroll: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Goodies at downtown merchants, hay ride or trolley tour, Santa at the library, and local officials will greet you at village hall.

Elgin tree lighting: 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, City Hall Plaza, 150 Dexter Court. Mayor David Kaptain, city council members, and Santa Claus will turn on the holiday lights.

Elk Grove tree lighting: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, on the Village Green, near the fountain behind the village hall, 901 Wellington Ave. Free.

Fox Lake tree lighting: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, Millennium Park, Grand and Rollins, Fox Lake. Free. foxlake.org; (847) 587-2151. (Fox Lake) On Saturday, Korpan's Christmas parade at 11 a.m. and children's party after the parade until 4 p.m., Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd. Parade prizes, crafts, raffles and Santa. Free. foxlake.org; (847) 587-2151.

Geneva Christmas Walk: Friday, Dec. 2, begins at 6 p.m. when Santa Lucia and her attendants arrive by horse-drawn carriage to offer Swedish cookies to visitors. Santa lights the Great Tree on the courthouse lawn and officially opens his Gingerbread House at 6:30 p.m. Evening shopping and dining, with roasted chestnuts, strolling carolers, freshly-made candy canes and hot cider.

Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk: 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, on Main Street and Crescent Boulevard. Tree lighting with Santa at 6 p.m.; Santa visits until 9 p.m. at Fire Station No.1. (630) 469-0907 or glenellynchamber.com.

Glendale Hts. tree lighting: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Glendale Heights Village Hall, 300 Civic Center Plaza. (630) 260-6000; glendaleheights.org.

Grayslake tree lighting and market: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 in downtown Grayslake. Santa arrives at the tree at Center Street and Seymour Avenue at 5:30 p.m. Afterward, visit with Santa at The Oasis at 151 Hawley until 8 p.m. Carriage rides 6-8 p.m. on Center Street. (847) 223-6888.

Hanover Park tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the municipal complex, 2121 W. Lake St. Free. (630) 372-4200.

Hawthorn Woods tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Hawthorn Woods Village Barn, 2 Lagoon Drive. Free. (847)-438-5500.

Island Lake tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Island Lake Village Hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave. Free. (847) 526-8764.

Itasca's ‘Many Trees May Stories': 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Itasca Community Library, 500 W. Irving Park Road. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Make crafts, reindeer food and more. Each family receives a commemorative ornament, while supplies last. Fourteen holiday trees, all decorated by community groups. Donate new, unwrapped toys for the Itasca Police Department; winter wear for all ages and food and nonperishable donations for the Itasca Food Pantry.

Lake in the Hills Festival of Trees: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Village Hall. 25 decorated trees, festive lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, sweet treats. Vote for a tree by placing a canned/non-perishable food item next to your favorite; trees are donated by local businesses and decorated by local community groups. (847) 960-7460.

Lake Villa holiday parade and tree lighting: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 parade starts at Palombi School, 156 McKinley Avenue. The annual tree lighting and Santa's Christmas party will follow the parade. Pictures with Santa, refreshments and other activities will take place at the Lake Villa train station. (847) 356-6100.

Lake Zurich tree lighting: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road. Free. Caroling, Santa Claus, cookies and hot cocoa. (847)-438-5572 or www.lzacc.com.

Libertyville Holiday Walk: 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, downtown Libertyville. Tree lighting followed by choral performances and a visit from Santa. Downtown stores will have special treats and a preview of holiday decorations. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Lindenhurst tree lighting: 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Lindenhurst Park District, 2200 E. Grass Lake Road, in the Community Center gym. Free. (847) 356-6011; lindenhurstparks.org.

Lisle Santa Parade and tree lighting: Parade at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 from Ogden Avenue through downtown to Village Hall, where a tree lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Luminaries light the streets. Free trolley rides and hayrack rides.

Lombard Jingle Bell Jubilee: 4-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Lombard's historic downtown. Glenn Westlake Middle School Festival Choir will sing holiday favorites from 4:45 p.m. until Santa's arrival on a fire truck between 5-5:15 p.m. Santa will help Village President Bill Mueller light the village tree along St. Charles Road. Afterward, cross the tracks to Lilacia Park, which will be lit up about 6 p.m. Visitors can visit with Santa and take train rides around the park from 6-8 p.m.

Mount Prospect tree lighting: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the west entrance to Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St. Free. Prospect High School Madrigal Singers; hot cocoa and cookies. www.experiencemountprospect.org.

Mundelein tree lighting and fireworks: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Kracklauer Park, Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street, Mundelein. Santa's Cottage opens after the ceremony. Free. mundelein.org; (847) 970-9235.

Naperville Hometown Holidays: High school students offer holiday tunes at 3:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at Jefferson Avenue and Webster Street. The Little Friends Electric Lights Parade steps off at 4:30 p.m. Friday from Centennial Beach. At 5:45 p.m., Santa turns on more than 300,000 lights downtown. Santa & Mrs. Claus visit until 8 p.m. Friday. Santa will be downtown 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 and noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. Free trolley rides, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. downtownnaperville.com.

Oakbrook Terrace tree lighting and children's party: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Fik Point, 16th Street and Patton Avenue. Party for kids up to age 12 at Swartz School. (630) 941-8300 or oakbrookterrace.net.

Prospect Heights tree lighting: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 outside the police department, 14 Camp McDonald Road. Prospect Heights Fire Protection District, Park District and Garden Club participate along with the city departments. Food. Free.

Rolling Meadows tree lighting: 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at 3140 Kirchoff Road near the McDonald's. Mayor Tom Rooney and Santa Claus will appear; hot chocolate. Free.

Roselle tree lighting: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, Roselle Public Library, 40 S. Park St. Celebration from 1-4:30 p.m. with entertainment, Santa, the Rose Queen and more. Free. (630) 529-1641 or www.roselle.lib.il.us.

Rosemont tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, in the village's entertainment district, The Park at Rosemont. Day also dedicated to opening of the village new permanent outdoor skating rink in The Park. Skating will be open 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Round Lake tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Round Lake Village Hall, 422 N. Cedar Lake Road. Hot cocoa, cookies and Santa. (847) 546-5400.

Schaumburg tree lighting: Friday, Nov. 25, 6 p.m. carol singing at Prairie Center for the Arts; 6:30 p.m. tree lighting on the plaza between the Center and Village Hall. Santa arrives via fire truck; face painting; temporary tattoos, refreshments.

St. Charles Holiday Homecoming and Electric Christmas Parade: Lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at Lincoln Park; electric Christmas parade on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 followed by family concert, holiday movie, carolers, sleigh rides and visits with Santa. Free.

Streamwood tree lighting and luminaria: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Village Hall and the Veterans Memorial, 301 E. Irving Park Road. Volunteers line the streets with luminaria before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive and tree is lit.

Sugar Grove ‘Holiday in the Grove': Saturday, Dec. 3 throughout the village. Breakfast with Santa at the Community House, 141 Main St.; entertainment at the library, 125 S. Municipal Drive, holiday shops and sweets, carriage rides. holidayinthegrove.com

Vernon Hills tree lighting: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Mayor Roger Byrne flips the switch to the holiday tree. Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and cider. vernonhills.org/special events or cuneomuseum.org.

Villa Park Joyful Traditions: 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Rugaard Gazebo on the Illinois Prairie Path, Ardmore Avenue and Park Boulevard. Village president and Santa light the village tree, trolley rides, carolers, free photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides and food. Free. (630) 834-8970 or vprd.org.

Warrenville Holly Days: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Warrenville City Hall, 3S258 Manning Ave. Holiday tree-lighting, Santa's arrival, parade, musical entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides. Free. (630) 393-9427 or warrenville.il.us.

Wauconda tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, Wauconda Park District, 600 N. Main St. Santa, crafts, games, stories, goody bags. Free. Katelyn Blanas, (847)-526-3610; waucondaparks.com.

West Chicago Frosty Fest: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, on Main Street; tree lighting, sleigh rides, carolers, a visit from Santa and more. Free. (630) 293-2200 or westchicago.org.

Wheaton parade and tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, downtown Wheaton. Santa arrives to town to light the tree; horse-drawn carriage rides; shops open for the evening. downtownwheaton.com.

Winfield tree lighting: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Winfield Village Green, Jewell and Winfield roads. Refreshments and holiday songs. Free. (630) 933-7100; www.villageofwinfield.com.

Wood Dale tree lighting: 2-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Wood Dale City Hall, 404 N. Wood Dale Road. Fenton Swing Choir, Wood Dale Junior High Choir, wagon rides, marionettes, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Christmas movies, crafts, refreshments. Tree lighting and fireworks at 5 p.m. Bring an ornament to hang. (630) 766-4900; wooddale.com.