Tree lightings, Santa visits and more in the Northwest suburbs

With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, it's time for local villages to turn into winter wonderlands with festive decorations and sparkling lights. Here are some of the tree-lighting ceremonies and light displays in and around the Northwest suburbs.

Friday, Nov. 29

Rosemont "Light Up The Park": 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. On the opening day of the ice rink and annual tree lighting event, guests can enjoy free ice skating (rentals available for $8), visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday carolers, ice carving, free sleigh rides and more. Free. rosemont.com.

Arlington Heights Annual Tree Lighting: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at North School Park, East Eastman Street and North Evergreen Street, Arlington Heights. Trolley rides through downtown from 4 to 8 p.m.; Vibe Dancers at 4:15 p.m.; AHPD Baton Group at 4:30 p.m.; Hersey High School Dickens Carolers at 4:45 p.m. Enjoy carols after the lighting ceremony. Free. www.ahpd.org.

Elk Grove Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Town Center Village Green, 901 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. The ceremony features a holiday performance by The Ides of March with Jim Peterik. After the performance, the group will join Mayor Johnson in throwing the switch to light up the village's holiday tree and turn on more than 250,000 lights around the municipal complex, Elk Grove Public Library and the Elk Grove Park District Pavilion. A special fireworks display will follow the tree lighting, announcing the entrance of Santa and his elves. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. Free. elkgrove.org.

Schaumburg Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Visit with Santa, caroling, entertainment and refreshments. Free. www.villageofschaumburg.com.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Niles Holly Jolly Market & Tree Lighting Festival: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Civic Center Plaza, 999 Civic Center Drive, Niles. Meet Santa, dine on food from local restaurants, go on trolley and train rides, plus enjoy music, kids' activities, crafts and fireworks. Visit the Christmas Market inside the senior center. Free. www.vniles.com.

Vernon Hills Village Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills. Gather in the clubhouse to enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and cider as you wait for Santa to arrive, courtesy of Countryside Fire. Meet Santa and take photos, and then head outside to flip the switch on the giant holiday tree and menorah. Free. www.vernonhills.org/104/Tree-Menorah-Lighting.

Northbrook Tree Lighting Celebration: 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at The Village Church, 1300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Along with the tree lighting, there will be hot chocolate, popcorn, food vendors and crafts. Free. www.northbrooknine.com/tree-lighting.html.

Prospect Heights holiday tree lighting: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Santa will arrive on a fire truck and take photos. Hot cider will be provided by the Prospect Heights Garden Club before Mayor Nick Helmer and other dignitaries flip the switch to light the city's holiday tree. Free. prospect-heights.il.us.

Holiday Magic: 4 to 9 p.m. on various dates from Saturday, Nov. 30, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. See a million twinkling LED lights, a 41-foot talking tree, ice carvers, a magician and carolers, take a spin on the skating rink, listen to zoo chats and more. Free for members. Nonmembers: adults $21.95, seniors 65 and older $15.95, kids ages 3-11 $15.95. czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Events/Upcoming-Events/Holiday-Magic.

Thursday, Dec. 5

Rolling Meadows Holiday Celebration: 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Rolling Meadows Historical Museum, 3100 Central Road (new location), Rolling Meadows. Tree-lighting celebration will feature Santa arriving on a fire truck, singing and more. After the ceremony, a free spaghetti dinner will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Willow Bend Elementary School, 4700 Barker Ave. Free. www.cityrm.org.

Friday, Dec. 6

Bartlett Holiday Tree Lighting: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Bartlett Park, North Avenue and Oak Avenue, Bartlett. Start your holidays at the annual tree lighting, sponsored by the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce with the Bartlett Park District and the village. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Bartlett Lions Club invites everyone to visit Santa in the Log Cabin. Bring a camera for pictures with Santa. The South Elgin High School choir sings holiday carols in the gazebo from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The tree lighting takes place at 7 p.m. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Hanover Township Food Pantry. Free. village.bartlett.il.us/home.

Lincolnshire Holiday Tree Lighting: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Village Green Center, 100 Village Green, Lincolnshire. A family-friendly event with Santa, school choir performances, Toys for Tots collection, food/beverage vendors and other activities. Free. lincolnshireil.gov.

Hanover Park Tree Lighting: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Hanover Park village hall, 2121 W. Lake St., Hanover Park. Welcome a special visitor from the North Pole who will help flip the switch to light the village's holiday decorations. Free. hpil.org.

Des Plaines Tree Lighting: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, on Metropolitan Way in downtown Des Plaines. Pre-lighting festivities begin at 4 p.m., with the tree lighting ceremony taking place at 6:30 p.m. The event features tree decorating by local organizations, live entertainment, strolling characters, and Santa will be ready and waiting to hear everyone's wish list. Free. www.desplaines.org.

Streamwood Luminaria and Tree Lighting: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Veteran's Memorial, 301 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Volunteers, civic organizations and families help bring the holiday spirit to Streamwood by lining Park Boulevard, the Veteran's Memorial, the village hall and other areas throughout town with luminaria. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and see the annual holiday tree lighting in front of the Veteran's Memorial. Free. streamwood.org.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Magical Animated Holiday Light Show: Every half-hour from 6 to 8 p.m. nightly, Dec. 7-14, at Center Court, Randhurst Village, routes 12 and 83, Mount Prospect. Those Funny Little People Holiday Elves will introduce the light show Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, with performances at 5:30 p.m. Forest View Elementary School Choir will perform holiday classics at 5 p.m. in Center Court Dec. 7. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on a horse-drawn carriage Dec. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. They will greet children in the lobby of The Hampton Inn and Suites until 5:30 p.m. Carriage rides will be from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Free. www.RandhurstVillage.com or (847) 259-0500.

Barrington Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, with events at various locations. Tree-lighting ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at Village Center, Cook and Station streets, with Santa arriving on a fire truck and remaining to take photos on South Cook Street until 6:30 p.m. Free trolley service will take visitors to other locations hosting events. Free. www.barrington-il.gov.