Holiday lights, Santa visits in St. Charles, Batavia

Holiday happenings abound in Batavia and St. Charles this weekend when the two communities kick off the Christmas season with music and family activities for young and old alike.

St. Charles

The celebration begins in St. Charles at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, when Mayor Don DeWitte illuminates the season with the “Lighting of the Lights.”

There will be holiday music provided by the chorales from St. Charles East and St. Charles North high schools. Special guests will be Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The fun continues Saturday at the Arcada Theater with a free holiday viewing of “The Polar Express” at 10 a.m. The Arcada will be the place for more family fun when the annual community concert begins at 2 p.m.

“Every year, Rob Murphy organizes local musicians and puts together an outstanding program,” said Lynne Schwartz of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

Santa will officially take up residence in St. Charles at noon Saturday. Plan to stop by and see him at his cottage on the First Street Plaza, where he will be every Saturday and Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. Nov. 27 to Dec. 19. After seeing Santa, families can head over to Lincoln Park for free horse-drawn sleigh rides from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.

The big event in St. Charles is the Electric Christmas Parade, which has grown over the years into a spectacular parade.

“This year we have 66 participants,” Schwartz said. “From cars to floats, with everything illuminated. There will be angels and a dragon and extraordinary lights. It's really a fun thing for everyone to see.”

Featured as the grand marshals this year are Darlene Marcusson and Betsy Penny, two women who have given tirelessly to the community over the year Marcusson through her work with Lazarus House and Penny with her work in city government as an alderwoman. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, and travels Main Street, between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue.

Batavia

On Sunday, Nov. 28, head south to Batavia for the Celebration of Lights. The event is sponsored by the Batavia Park District, with an assist from the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and Mainstreet, which provides promotional goody bags for the first 250 kids.

The event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., offers hay rides with a donation to the food pantry and free photo opportunities at the Peg Bond Center. There will be hot dogs and hot chocolate for sale by members of the Batavia Teen Center, a youth group for middle school students.

For a fun treat, be sure to sample the chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Eric Lacher takes on the roasting duties, which isn't an easy task. Each chestnut must be prepared before roasting to prevent them from blowing up from the heat of the fire.

Craig Foltos gets the crowd into the spirit by leading the audience in Christmas carols with help from the Batavia High School Madrigals. At 6 p.m., Mayor Schielke flips the switch for the tree-lighting and welcomes Santa Claus to town. Santa then moves to the Peg Bond Center to hear Christmas wishes.

To quiet the kids down before bed, there will be a free storytime from 6:15 to 7 p.m. at the Gustafson Research Center in the Depot Museum hosted by staff members from the library.

Don't miss the opportunity to walk the Riverwalk and see the decorations put together by various organizations within the community.

“Our celebration is all about community,” said Gail Swaska, event coordinator. “This is the tradition in Batavia that begins the holiday season.”

If you go

<p>St. Charles Holiday Homecoming</p>

<p>When: 5 p.m. today, Nov. 26; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 27</p>

<p>Where: downtown St. Charles</p>

<p>Details: dtown.org; (630) 513-5386</p>

<p>Batavia's Celebration of Lights</p>

<p>When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28</p>

<p>Where: Batavia's Riverwalk</p>

<p>Details: bataviaparks.org; (630) 879-5235</p>