Aurora prepares for downtown 'Jolly Holiday' celebration
Aurora is opening the holiday season with its third annual Winter Lights event, "It's a Jolly Holiday," from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, on Downer Place and Stolp Avenue in downtown.
The Winter Lights Parade will include floats along Downer Place, leading up to the official holiday tree-lighting. The tree, in front of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, will be lit at 6 p.m. by Aurora's Miss Merry Christmas, Jack Frost and Mayor Tom Weisner.
Later in the evening, a winter fireworks display will light up the night sky and be best viewed from the Downer Place Bridge.
The free, family-friendly event will brighten the streets of downtown Aurora with live music, ice sculpting, local art, roasted nuts and other treats. Family photo ops will abound with live reindeer, costumed characters, a life-size walk-through snow globe, Aurora's Grinch, the Paramount's own Mary Poppins and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
In addition to shopping the new Christkindlmarket full of vintage gifts and holiday foods, patrons are invited to shop along Downer Place and Stolp Avenue, where several businesses will be extending their hours, including the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer; River's Edge Café and Fox Valley Home Brew, 14 W. Downer; Vara Designs, 15 W. Downer; YM Boutique, 5 W. Downer; Eyeland Optical, 26 E. Downer; and If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp.
More than 25 local and regional vendors will be participating with holiday treats and treasures on display for purchase with free gift wrapping courtesy of the Fox Valley Girl Scouts. A Winter Lights Gift and Activity Guide of participating vendors also is available for shoppers at www.aurora-il.org/events/holiday_tree_lighting.php.
Winter Lights is sponsored by the City of Aurora in conjunction with Aurora Downtown. For details, call (630) 256-INFO.