Festivals and Fairs
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Festive offerings abound on Naperville’s Water Street for the holidaysNov 20, 2025 11:40 pm - Water Street in downtown Naperville is hosting various holiday events and activities throughout December, including NaperLights, a dazzling free holiday light display with over 150,000 lights and giant lighted holiday figures.
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Christmas at Cantigny ready to light up the holiday season in WheatonNov 20, 2025 4:15 pm - Christmas at Cantigny returns for its third year Friday in Wheaton. Guests can enjoy light displays, ice skating and festive dining experiences.
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St. Charles celebrates 25th annual Electric Christmas Parade with guest of honor and grand marshalNov 19, 2025 3:28 pm - St. Charles resident Deborah Foote, who was instrumental in creating the illuminated parade in 2001, has been named the Community Guest of Honor for the 25th anniversary of the Electric Christmas Parade. In addition, “The Bear” actor Chris Witaske is the grand marshal for this year’s parade.
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Shining bright: Holiday tree lightings around the suburbsNov 19, 2025 12:48 pm - A community tree lighting is a great way to kick off the holidays. Here’s where they are happening around the suburbs.
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Schaumburg, Bartlett to see changes to holiday tree-lighting traditions this yearNov 19, 2025 12:25 pm - Though virtually all Northwest suburbs will soon be welcoming residents back for their annual holiday traditions, Schaumburg and Bartlett are among those who’ll see special and deliberate changes to their tree-lighting ceremonies this year.
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Woodstock to illuminate historic Square with annual lighting ceremonyNov 18, 2025 4:53 pm - On Nov. 28, the City of Woodstock is hosting its annual Lighting of the Square event to kick off the holiday season, featuring festive activities, live music, and the illumination of tens of thousands of twinkling lights.
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St. Charles Business Alliance warns against fake Holiday Homecoming events on FacebookNov 18, 2025 3:21 pm - The St. Charles Business Alliance is warning of fraudulent Facebook events spreading misinformation about the upcoming St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade and Holiday Homecoming.
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Best Bets: Dazzling light displays usher in the holiday seasonNov 18, 2025 1:56 pm - Christmas at Cantigny, Chicago’s Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Light Up the Park in Rosemont welcome the holidays, and Smashing Pumpkins co-founder Billy Corgan brings “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” to the Lyric Opera.
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Things to do Nov. 21-27: Aurora Christkindlmarket, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Magic, Thanksgiving events and moreNov 18, 2025 10:47 am - Make plans for Aurora Christkindlmarket, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Magic, Chicago Sports Spectacular in Rosemont, Turkey Trots, winter festivals, Santa sightings, Thanksgiving events and more.
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Grinch-themed Breakfast Bash brings Whoville to Geneva churchNov 17, 2025 7:51 pm - United Methodist Church of Geneva is bringing back the popular Whoville Fest during Geneva Christmas Walk weekend, and this year it’s a Breakfast Bash featuring “Storytime with The Grinch!”