Geneva welcomes season with Christmas Walk and Holiday House Tour

Posted December 06, 2019 5:00 am

By Paula Schmidt Geneva Chamber of Commerce

Youngsters will thrill to the arrival of Santa during the Geneva Christmas Walk Friday evening in downtown. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas as Geneva prepares for its 52nd Christmas Walk at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and Holiday House Tour Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7. Among the twinkling lights and fresh greenery lined streets, chestnuts will roast over open fires, carolers will fill the night air with seasonal favorites and a live nativity scene will take place. Dazzling window displays, brimming with gift ideas, invite shoppers to stroll through shops as merchants serve holiday refreshments.

The Holiday House Tour Dec. 6-7 features five Geneva homes festively decorated for the holidays by local florists, landscapers and interior designers. Visitors drive to homes and volunteers are on hand to assist in the self-guided tour. Courtesy of Geneva Chamber of Commerce

This year, Geneva has a new Christmas tree on the Courthouse Lawn. Mother Nature took a toll on the Great Tree that many residents are familiar with, and it had to be removed for safety reasons. The new tree, a Norway spruce, will be lit at the Christmas Walk and is expected to become a tradition in our pictures for years to come.

The Christmas Walk offers visitors a very merry Friday evening full of hometown traditions as well as special treats - the arrival of Santa Lucia, Christmas cookies, the Great Tree lighting, homemade candy canes, and a visit from Santa with the opening of his Geneva Home on James Street.

Treat yourself to the Christmas House Tour. Five charming homes, aglow with holiday decorations, will open their doors to visitors for self-guided tours. The personality of each home will shine when local decorators and landscapers work with homeowners to create holiday magic. The house tour is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. This event may sell out; tickets will not be for sale at the homes. A Holiday Tea held at the Congregational Church in Geneva and mini Scentcerely Yours candle is included in the $35 price of the ticket.

Both events are presented by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce with the support of the city of Geneva, sponsors and community volunteers. Proceeds from the house tour go to decorating the downtown for the holidays.

For information, tickets, and a complete schedule of events, visit www.genevachamber.com or call (630) 232-6060.

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Geneva Christmas Walk and Holiday House Tour

When: Christmas Walk, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; Holiday House Tour, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Where: Christmas Walk festivities are held in downtown Geneva at South Third and James streets and on State Street. The Holiday House Tour is at various locations; not all homes are within walking distance of each other.

How much? Free admission to Christmas Walk; $35 per person for house tour

Details: (630) 232-6060 or www.genevachamber.com

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