Northwest suburban tree lightings
Arlington Heights
ChristkindlMarkt, open air holiday market with vendors, crafters, food, entertainment, noon-10 p.m. today, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, in heated tents adjacent to North School Park. Free trolley shuttles people to ChristkindlMarkt from Vail Avenue and Campbell Street. Santa and his reindeer at Harmony Park noon-3 p.m. today. Details at www.vah.com.
Barrington
Tree lighting, carriage rides, Santa and more; starts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Cook and Main streets. Free carriage rides downtown start at 3 p.m. St. Nick arrives at 4:45 p.m. for the tree lighting. Performance from Barrington High School Madrigal Singers. After the lighting, Santa will visit with children at the train station. Refreshments and hot cocoa.
Bartlett
Tree lighting party begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Bartlett Park, Oak and North avenues. Visit Santa in his log cabin, sponsored by the Bartlett Lions Club. Lighting is at 6 p.m. (630) 830-0324.
Des Plaines
Mayor Tony Arredia and City Clerk Donna McAllister will pull the giant electrical switch that lights up the downtown; the event starts at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, at Metropolitan Square, downtown Des Plaines. Performances from the Elk Grove High School Towne Criers, Willows Academy Chamber Choir, Maine West Warrior Band and Des Plaines Park District dance troupes Artistry in Motion and Aim2. Open house with roasted chestnuts at the Des Plaines History Center and refreshments from participating merchants. (Decorating party will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3; rain date for decorating is Dec. 4.)
• Lake Wonderland Winter Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at Lake Park. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, display of lights, visits with Santa, entertainment, food, games, ice carving, arts and crafts. To decorate your own tree, call (847) 391-5700.
Hanover Park
Tree lighting event begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the municipal complex, 2121 W. Lake St. Performances from the Spring Wood Middle School band and choir, Greenbrook Elementary School choir, Allegro Dance Troupe and Dave Herzog's Marionettes. Eighteen decorated trees on display at village hall. Refreshments by Hanover Park Lions Club. (630) 372-4200.
Mount Prospect
Village's winter parade and tree lighting starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Lions Park, 411 S. Maple St. Parade, with live reindeer, marching bands, floats and Santa and Mrs. Claus, goes to Lincoln Street, then Emerson Street, then Prospect Avenue, ending at Pine Street. Choral groups stationed along route. Refreshment tent at Prospect Avenue and Wille Street after parade.
• Holiday Housewalk, 3:30-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
• Annual Teddy Bear Walk, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 6.
• Holiday open house, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Friendship Park Conservatory.
Prospect Heights
Tree lighting, 5 p.m. today outside the Prospect Heights Police Station, 14 E. Camp McDonald Road. Hosted by the Prospect Heights Garden Club, event features Girl Scouts singing carols, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, homemade cookies, Santa visiting with children. (847) 253-1223.
Rolling Meadows
Tree lighting event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at 3140 Kirchoff Road just outside McDonald's. Santa, with caroling, hot chocolate, cookies and seasonal giveaways.
Roselle
Annual singalong at 1 p.m. today outside the Roselle library, 40 S. Park St. Shortly before 2 p.m., Santa arrives by firetruck to light the tree in Elm Court. (630) 529-1641.
Rosemont
Tree lighting party at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Higgins Road and Scott Street. Afterward, the Rosemont Senior Center down the block on Kirchoff Street will host a craft bazaar with hot chocolate and cookies.
Schaumburg
Christkindlesmarkt, open air holiday market with crafts, food, Santa, carriage rides, entertainment; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. today and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, in the Schaumburg Town Square at Schaumburg and Roselle roads. Free Admission. (847) 923-3605; (847) 895-3600; www.prairiecenter.org; www.villageofschaumburg.org
Streamwood
Who will be chosen to flip the switch that turns on the lights? Annual tree lighting event begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, outside Village Hall, 301 E. Irving Park Road. Carolers will sing as they place luminaria along the median on Park Boulevard and other major medians in the village. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with refreshments, are inside village hall. Music by Streamwood High School students; village complex will be lit at 7:30 p.m. Rain/snow date is Dec. 12.
Wheeling
Tree lighting event 5:45-7:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Friendship Park, Milwaukee Avenue and Dundee Road. Wheeling Madrigals sing at 5:45; hot chocolate and cookies at 6 p.m.; Wheeling Band Ensemble at 6:15 p.m.; lighting of the lights countdown at 6:30 p.m. Santa visits with children afterward. (847) 459-2600.