Arlington Heights kicks off holiday season with tree lighting ceremony

A performance by the Park District Vibe Dance Group and music by the Hersey High School Dickens Carolers help set the stage for the illumination of more than 80,000 lights during the Arlington Heights tree lighting ceremony Friday at North School Park.

The event, attended by a crowd of hundreds who came to see the decorated towering evergreen tree at the center of the park, kicked off the holiday season in the village.

There were also activities at Harmony Park, including an ice carver, Rolling Meadows Madrigal Singers, photo stations and festive lights. A trolley provided rides between the two locations.

Holiday lights events will take place Saturday throughout the suburbs, including Fox Lake, Glenview, Vernon Hills, Elgin and Prospect Heights. On Sunday, there are events in Itasca and Batavia.