Holiday events in DuPage County
Nov. 28
Aurora: Aurora's Holiday Magic 2008 celebration begins with the Parade of Lights, which steps off at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, from Downer Place and Broadway. The parade proceeds up Galena Boulevard to Stolp Avenue, ending at Downer Place. The annual lighting of the city's Christmas tree takes place after the parade in front of North Island Center on Galena Boulevard across from the Paramount Theatre. The event concludes with a fireworks display over the Fox River. For details, call (630) 844-4731 or visit aurora-il.org.
Bensenville: The Village of Bensenville's annual Holiday Magic Celebration will be Friday, Nov. 28, at Bensenville Towne Center, Green and Center streets. Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. to visit with children, then help village president John Geils light the holiday tree at 6:50 p.m. The event also will include carolers, music by a DJ, carriage rides, a chili cook-off contest, a chance to meet Santa's reindeer and more. All activities are free. For details and a schedule, visit bensenville.il.us or call (630) 350-3426.
Carol Stream: Santa will help light the Village of Carol Stream's holiday tree at 6:20 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road. The event will feature caroling by the Jay Stream Middle School Choir, holiday activities, crafts and games hosted by the Carol Stream Youth Council and holiday treats and drinks. Visitors may donate a nonperishable can or boxed good, a grocery gift card or new children's toy to support the 2008 Christmas Sharing Program for needy families. For details, visit carolstream.org.
Cosley Zoo: The annual Festival of Lights and Christmas tree sale begin Friday, Nov. 28, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Thousands of lights will be turned on from 3 to 9 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Dec. 23, and from Friday, Dec. 26, to Tuesday, Dec. 30. The tree sale includes 2,400 fresh trees, as well as holiday wreaths and greens. Proceeds benefit the zoo. Santa's Craft Corner swill be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov 29-Dec. 13. For details, call (630) 665-5534.
Glen Ellyn: "Home for the Holidays," the annual Holiday Walk, will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 in downtown Glen Ellyn. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. to light the tree at Main Street and Crescent Boulevard. The event will include music by local groups, crafts and refreshments at the library, 400 Duane St. After the tree lighting, Santa will visit with children at Glen Ellyn Fire Station 1, Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street. For details, visit glenellynchamber.com.
Naperville: Naperville's Hometown Holidays celebration opens with an electric light parade at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, followed by the Grand Illumination at 5:30 p.m. on Jefferson Avenue. Festivities also include trolley rides, carolers and more. For details, call (630) 544-3372 or visit downtownnaperville.com.
Wheaton: The Downtown Wheaton Association's 25th annual Dickens of a Christmas will begin at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, with the Grand Illumination of the Great Tree in Martin Plaza, Front and Main streets. The Lighted Holiday Parade with children's movie and storybook characters and Santa and Mrs. Claus begins at 6 p.m. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 7 to 9 p.m.; pickup is at the corner of Main Street and East Liberty Drive. Visits with Santa and carriage rides will be available Saturdays, Nov. 29-Dec. 13. Rides cost $5 per person, $10 per family. Pictures with Santa cost $3, two for $5, at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St. The fourth annual holiday open house walk of downtown merchants begins at noon Saturday, Dec. 6, and includes an ice sculpting demonstration in Martin Plaza. For details, visit downtownwheaton.com or call (630) 682-0633.
Nov. 29
Glendale Heights: The village of Glendale Heights' tree lighting ceremony and light parade will be Saturday, Nov. 29. The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., and proceeds to Village Hall, 300 Civic Center Plaza. The tree lighting with Santa follows at 6:30 p.m. For details, call (630) 909-5302.
Roselle: The Village of Roselle and the Roselle Public Library will welcome Santa Claus during the 19th Annual Holiday Sing-Along at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the library, 40 S. Park St. Santa will arrive by fire truck shortly before 2 p.m. to light the tree on Elm Court. For details and singalong tickets, call the library at (630) 529-1641.
Dec. 2
Bloomingdale: The 20th annual Holiday Open House will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way. The event will include the village tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. on the library's lawn; entertainment by the Merry Maskers Quartet, the Trinity Lutheran School Handbell Choir and harpist Laura Fako Utley; crafts, giveaways, visits with Santa, an appearance by the Sugar Plum Fairy and more. For details, call the library at (630) 924-2720 or visit mybpl.org.
Dec. 5
Addison: The Village of Addison's annual tree lighting will be 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at village hall. 1 Friendship Plaza, Addison, to kick off its three-day Festival of Lights. The tree lighting will also include carols performed by Addison school children, hot chocolate from the Addison Kiwanis Club and sleigh rides with Santa. The Festival of Lights will continue Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7 with various events at the Addison Public Library and Addison Historical Museum. The final events will be Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 7, at village hall, followed by an open house at the library, 4 Friendship Plaza. For details, visit addisonadvantage.org.
Warrenville: The annual Holly Days will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, on Stafford Place near City Hall. The event includes an arrival parade for Santa with bagpipes and lighting of the tree, free horse-drawn carriage rides, fireworks and a bonfire. For details, visit warrenvillechamber.com.
Dec. 6
Lombard: Santa will help Village President William Mueller light Lombard's holiday tree Saturday, Dec. 6, at Lilacia Park during the annual Jinglebell Jubilee. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with cookies and cocoa at participating downtown businesses. Santa will arrive by fire truck at 5:30 p.m. to light the tree downtown. At 6 p.m., Santa will make his way to Lilacia Park, Park and Parkside avenues, where trees will be decorated with holiday lights and children may ride the Puffer Belly Train. Canterbury Carolers will entertain from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, 110 W. Maple St., next to Lilacia Park. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., the Lombard Historical Society will offer "Ghosts of Christmas Past" tours at the Victorian Cottage Museum, 23 W. Maple, and there will be a Yuletide Singalong at the Maple Street Chapel, Main and Maple streets. For details, call the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry at (630) 627-5040 or visit lombardchamber.com.
Villa Park: The annual Joyful Traditions event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Rugaard Gazebo on the Illinois Prairie Path at Park and Ardmore avenues. Santa will arrive in an antique truck at 4 p.m. Other event highlights include pony rides, horse-drawn carriage and trolley rides, food samples, hot cocoa, holiday carolers, photos with Santa and s'mores. Revelers should bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the local food pantry. All activities are free. For details, call the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce at (630) 941-9133.
West Chicago: West Chicago's annual Frosty Fest will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Main and Washington streets. A parade steps off at 4 p.m. from Main Street and Route 59, then proceeds west on Main Street to the grand tree lighting at 4:30 p.m. at the Fox Community Center. Other activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides, live reindeer, Victorian carolers and Santa and Mrs. Claus. For details, visit westchicagochamber.com.
Winfield: The celebration in Winfield begins with the Winfield Juniors' Snacks with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Central School, 0S150 Park St. The event will include entertainment, children's activities, face painting and more. The village's tree lighting with Santa will be at 4:30 p.m. on the Village Green, 27W465 Jewell Road. For details, call (630) 933-7111.
Dec. 6-7
Lisle: Lights of Lisle starts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with a Santa Parade through downtown Lisle to The Museums at Lisle Station Park. At dusk, streets in the downtown area will then be lighted with more than 2,000 luminarias. The village's tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. at Village Hall, 925 Burlington Ave. Other festivities include Once Upon a Christmas from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Lisle Station Park. The event will include children's crafts, music, brick oven baking and model trains. For details and a schedule of events, call the Lisle Convention and Visitors Bureau at (630) 769-1000 or visit stayinlisle.com.
Dec. 7
Wood Dale: The City of Wood Dale's annual tree lighting will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at city hall, 404 N. Wood Dale Road. For details, call Joey Bracco at (630) 787-3712 or visit wooddale.com.
Dec. 9
Itasca: A Night with Santa will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Itasca municipal complex, 550 W. Irving Park Road. Santa Claus will lead the Light Parade, which steps off at 5:30 p.m. from Franzen School. The parade proceeds east on Bryn Mawr Avenue to Walnut Street, south to Irving Park Road and arrives at approximately 5:45 p.m. at the municipal complex. Other activities include trolley rides, holiday crafts, carolers, snacks and a commemorative ornament/sun catcher for each family while supplies last. The Itasca Police Department will collect new, unwrapped toys, mittens and hats to be donated to local needy children. For details, call Crime Prevention Officer Rick Brogan at (630) 228-5705.
Dec. 13
Oakbrook Terrace: The city's annual Tree Lighting and Children's Holiday Party will be Saturday, Dec. 13. Santa will ride through the city starting at 5 p.m. and then will help Mayor Tom Mazaika light the tree at 6 p.m. at Fik Point. Entertainment by Dave Rudolph will follow at 6:15 p.m. The Children's Holiday Party will take place at Swartz School Gym. Kids 12 and younger who preregister by Friday, Dec. 5, will receive a stocking filled with goodies. The party is free for residents and $5 for others. For details, visit oakbrookterrace.net or call (630) 941-8300.