Parade, tree-lighting highlight Wheaton's Dickens of a Christmas celebration

Shoppers taking a break from the mayhem of Black Friday may want to visit downtown Wheaton for its 27th annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration.

Of course, it can't hurt to bring a credit card along with the holiday spirit.

Sponsored by the Downtown Wheaton Association, Dickens includes a tree-lighting ceremony, the annual Lighted Holiday Parade and an appearance by Santa Claus.

“I invite anyone who hasn't seen it to come and check it out,” said the appropriately named Noel Wiedman, manager of the Downtown Wheaton Association. “I think they would be surprised at how big of an event this is. Families come from all over to see the parade.”

Events start at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, with the Grand Illumination of the Great Tree at Martin Plaza. Julie Reinhardt, the DWA's 2010 volunteer of the year, will light the tree.

Following the tree-lighting, the parade featuring some favorite characters from children's movies and books will step off at 6 p.m. by city hall. The procession will have more than 40 entries, including the American Legion Color Guard, Tunes of Glory, the Chicago Highlanders, Boy Scout Troop 35 and a variety of floats.

And with Santa, your holiday parade is complete. His float will bring up the rear of the procession, which travels south on Wheaton Avenue and then east on Front Street.

After the parade, several movie and storybook characters will appear in downtown businesses for a night of shopping until 9 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus also will stroll around downtown.

Meanwhile, families can enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown from 7 to 9 p.m. The carriages board at the northeast corner of Main Street and East Liberty Drive.

The “Little Obie” replica train also returns this year to offer free rides for children. Young riders can hop aboard at the Wheaton Post Office, 122 N. Wheaton Ave.

Organizers are hoping that the roughly 3,000 people expected to attend the event check out downtown Wheaton's shops and restaurants. Most of the merchants will offer holiday hospitality and remain open until 9 p.m.

“There is something for everybody down here,” Reinhardt said. “If you take a walk around, you could find a gift for every single one of your family members at these stores something that you can't find at a mall.”

To keep things fun for shoppers in downtown Wheaton, the visits with Santa and the free horse-drawn carriage rides will continue every Saturday through Dec. 18. On those days, the carriage rides will be available from noon to 3 p.m. at northeast corner of Main and East Liberty.

Santa will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at Community Bank, 100 N. Wheaton Ave. Visitors can take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Downtown Wheaton won't be the only spot in town to enjoy holiday lights.

Also beginning Friday and running through Dec. 30 is Cosley Zoo's annual Festival of Lights and Christmas tree sale.

The zoo at Gary Avenue and Jewell Road will have lights and music starting at 3 p.m. daily.

Fresh Michigan trees, wreaths, roping and evergreen bundles, gifts and stocking stuffers will be available as part of the sale.

Admission to the zoo will be free during the monthlong festival, but fees apply for purchases, officials said.

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will close at noon on Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day.

For details, visit cosleyzoo.org or call (630) 665-5534.

<p><b>Dickens of a Christmas celebration</b></p>

<p>When: 5:45 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, with tree-lighting at 5:45 p.m.</p>

<p>Where: Downtown Wheaton</p>

<p>Cost: Free</p>

<p>Info: downtownwheaton.com or (630) 682-0633</p>