Batavia's Celebration of Lights kicks off holiday season Nov. 28

Posted November 18, 2021 10:00 pm

Submitted by Batavia Park District

On Sunday, Nov. 28, Santa will be arriving to light the Christmas tree and kick off Batavia's Celebration of Lights. Courtesy of Batavia Park District

Experience the magic of Batavia with the Celebration of Lights Festival starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, on the Batavia Riverwalk.

There will be hayrides, holiday craft activities, old-fashioned ornament-making, a community sing-along, ceremonial tree lighting, a visit with Santa, story hour, and the ever-popular Christmas Tree Lane!

The festival is presented by the Batavia Park District in partnership with Batavia MainStreet, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, City of Batavia, and the Batavia Police Department. This event is free and no registration is required.

From 5 to 7 p.m., take a free wagon ride with a nonperishable food or $1 cash donation to directly benefit the Batavia Food Pantry. There also will be holiday craft activities inside city council chambers and family photo opportunities at the Peg Bond Center's main stage. Enjoy a free treat or hot chocolate for sale.

Join in old-fashioned ornament-making for all ages at the Depot Museum main level.

The Batavia Community Band will perform.

Stop by the Batavia Depot Museum to warm up and check out their historic treasures, including the original "Skaters on the Pond" painting by John Falter.

Stop by the Christmas Tree Lane outside Batavia City Hall. The Kiwanis Club of Batavia tree features a garland of paper hands, decorated with henna designs and celebrating the beauty of diversity, created by students in the club's elementary K-Kids, middle school Builders Club, and Key Club. Courtesy of Batavia Park District

Check out Christmas Tree Lane featuring 25 holiday trees decorated by the following local organizations and businesses; Batavia Park District's New Horizons Preschool; City of Batavia; JB Nelson Elementary's kindergarten Daisy, and third-grade Brownie Troops; Bethany Lutheran Church; Girl Scout Troop 411; Batavia Nursery School; Batavia Mothers' Club; Immanuel Lutheran Church and School; Cub Scout Pack 211; Batavia Park District's Kids' Club; Girl Scout Cadette Troop 1633; Batavia Woman's Club; Kiwanis Club of Batavia; Foltos Tonsorial Parlor; Alice Gustafson School Girl Scouts; Immanuel Lutheran School Volleyball; Alice Gustafson School Cub Scout Pack 103; Ollie's Garage; Louise White School Girl Scouts; Covenant Living at Holmstad; American Heritage Girls Troop IL0224; Girl Scout Troop 322; HC Storm Brownies and Daisy Troops; Aurora 88s Roller Derby; and AFS Intercultural Programs. To vote, go to www.facebook.com/BataviaParkDistrict/ and choose your favorite trees by clicking "like" on the photo. The tree with the most "likes" by noon Nov. 28 wins People's Choice. Be sure to check out all the holiday handiwork in person!

A community sing-along will be led by Craig Foltos of Foltos Tonsorial Parlor at 5:15 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., Santa will arrive for the ceremonial tree lighting, led by Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke.

Santa's Warming House will open at 5:45 p.m. Visit Santa at the Peg Bond Center warming house and receive a treat from Kriss Kringle himself (for children younger than 10, while supplies last).

The Christmas Tree Lane winner will be announced.

The HC Storm Brownies and Daisy Troops decorated their Christmas tree with stars and the theme "Be the Light That the World Needs." Courtesy of Batavia Park District

From 6-7 p.m., check in with the Batavia Public Library staff at the Gustafson Center, located in the lower level of the Batavia Depot Museum, to pick up a goody bag and flashlight to enjoy the outdoor, socially distant "Story Stroll."

For information, visit bataviaparks.org.

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