Holiday activities abound at Elgin's Window Wonderland

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin's annual holiday extravaganza, “Downtown Elgin Window Wonderland: Miracle on the Streets,” returns from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. It is presented by Provena St. Joseph Hospital.

Events and attractions include the weeklong holiday passport, live reindeer, live Nativity scene, photos with Santa, window decorating contest, holiday trolley rides, chestnut roasting and more.

Most of the attractions are centered in the heart of downtown Elgin, including the live reindeer at the Civic parking lot at Highland and Douglas Avenue and the chestnut roasting in front of the Elgin Tower Building. Other venues and specific activity locations to be announced.

The day culminates with the City of Elgin's tree-lighting festivities at 5 p.m. at Civic Plaza.

Interested parties can pick up a Window Wonderland passport at downtown businesses, The Centre of Elgin or Gail Borden Public Library to get a head start on voting for your favorite decorated window, collecting passport stamps and holiday dining and shopping in downtown Elgin. A complete schedule of events and list of activities are available at DowntownElgin.com.

The DNA would like to thank its 2010 sponsors: Provena St. Joseph Hospital; Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick; Insure One; and the City of Elgin.

It also has announced its renewed partnership with Elgin Home for the Holidays, a collaborative effort consisting of more than two dozen local nonprofit organizations to promote the events, activities and volunteer opportunities available to Elgin residents during the holiday season.

For a comprehensive listing of all the holiday events in Elgin promoted through this effort, visit ElginHomefortheHolidays.com.