Aurora opens holiday season with Winter Lights

Aurora's Winter Lights festival opens the holiday season from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in downtown Aurora.

The family-oriented festival includes a Holiday Parade at 6:30 p.m. featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus. After the parade, families can watch a fireworks display that can best be seen from the Downers Place bridge.

Holiday pop-up shops on the former Waubonsee Community College campus are open from 5 to 9 p.m. with music, art, gifts and food.

The streets will be filled with live music, costumed characters, festive photo-ops and live reindeer along with Aurora's Grinch. The official Aurora holiday tree, located in front of the Grand Army of the Republic Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will be illuminated by the mayor, who will be joined by Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. Jack Frost.

After the fireworks, Santa and Mrs. Claus will listen to children's wishes on the steps of the GAR Hall.

The holiday shops will feature handmade and vintage gifts, including soaps, fine art, handcrafted home goods, vintage finds, jewelry and holiday gift foods.

Admission is free. For more information, visit aurora-il.org.