A stroll through Geneva's Christmas Walk
This weekend, it will begin to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Geneva.
The city's annual Christmas Walk and Christmas House Tour are a festive tradition for many residents and visitors alike.
The Christmas Walk begins at 6 p.m. Friday, when Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and Scott Lebin, chairman of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, will welcome the crowd.
A multitude of voices will sing the sounds of the season with Christmas carols in front of the Courthouse as Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, arrives by horse-drawn antique carriage with her attendants.
The attendants will circulate through the gathering bidding all welcome and offering a traditional Swedish “wish” cookie, Swedish pepparkakor. As the young and young at heart join in song, Santa Claus will arrive by carriage just after 6 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Great Tree on the courthouse lawn. At 6:30 p.m., Santa opens up his Gingerbread House at the corner of James and South Third streets to hear the wishes of area children until 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Other Christmas Walk events include:
Candy Cane Christmas: Graham's Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream celebrates Geneva's annual Christmas Walk with its old-fashioned Candy Cane Pull. After the First Candy Cane of the Season Parade, the first candy cane will be presented to Mayor Burns at the Old Courthouse. Santa's Gingerbread House: On Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4, Santa will see visitors from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. From Wednesday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 23, Santa's House will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays (Santa's house will be closed on Dec. 6, for a quick trip back to the North Pole), Thursdays and Fridays; 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Bring your camera for that special shot.Holiday shopping: Downtown Geneva will be dressed in holiday finery. Customer-friendly shopping hours have begun, with stores open until 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays through Dec. 23. See www.genevadowntown.org for a list of participating businesses.#8216;Live' windows on State Street: Merchant windows on State Street (Route 38) will showcase #8220;live mannequins#8221; from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, after the Christmas Walk tree lighting ceremony. Roasted chestnuts: Merchants will roast chestnuts over open fires at several downtown locations on Friday evening.Horse-drawn carriage rides: There will be free horse-drawn antique carriage rides through the historic district in Geneva from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3 through Dec. 18. The rides begin and end at the corner of South Third and James streets, travel down Third Street and back around to the Courthouse.Live nativity: The youth of Geneva Lutheran Church will present a living nativity from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. during the Christmas Walk Dec. 2. Admission is free, and church members will provide free cookies and hot cider. Donations of canned food and cash will be accepted for a local charity.#8220;Carols by Candlelight#8221;: St. Mark's Church at Fourth and Franklin streets will present free #8220;Carols by Candlelight#8221; from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Book sale: The Friends of the Geneva Public Library will host its annual Christmas Walk Used Book Sale in the library's lower level meeting room, 127 James St. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3. Beginning at noon on Saturday a bag of books will sell for $5.Bow sales: The Geneva Garden Club will sell bows at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., during the Christmas Walk and House Tour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Proceeds will benefit the club's scholarship fund. 32652449Horse-drawn carriage rides will be a highlight of the annual Geneva Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 2.Courtesy of Geneva Chamber of Commerce 24493265The lighting of the Great Tree will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, on the Kane County Courthouse lawn.Courtesy of Geneva Chamber of Commerce If you goWhat: Geneva Christmas Walk, which includes visits from Santa Lucia and Santa Claus, tree lighting, roasted chestnuts, carolers, shopping and other family events; and Christmas House Tour, featuring five festively decorated homesWhen: Christmas Walk, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; House Tour: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3Where: Christmas Walk in downtown Geneva at South Third and James streets and on State Street. The House Tour is at various locations in downtown Geneva.Cost: Free general admission to the Christmas Walk; House Tour tickets: $30Details: Call (630) 232-6060 or visit www.genevachamber.com/festivals.html.