Get in the holiday spirit with Geneva's Christmas Walk Weekend
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas Walk Weekend on Dec. 1-3. Serenaded by carolers, stroll Geneva's historic marketplace, nibble on fresh-roasted chestnuts, and step into brightly lit shops and restaurants along the way. Many of the downtown merchants will be staying open later for holiday shopping and special offerings.
Sweet treats
Bob Untiedt's greatest loves, besides his family, were music and confections. So, what better way to marry these two loves than to have the Geneva High School drum and flag line lead a parade of more than 100 loyal bell-ringing customers to present the first candy cane of the season to the mayor right before the tree is lit. Join Bob's Candy Cane Parade at 5:45 p.m. Friday, departing from 318 Coffee House.
Join Santa Lucia for the tree-lighting celebration and welcome Santa Claus between 6-6:30 p.m. across from the historic Kane County Courthouse.
Watch the Graham's Chocolates candy makers handcraft freshly made candy canes at their shop and enjoy the warm confections all evening long as a treat from Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, 302 S. Third St., from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
At 7 p.m., All Chocolate Kitchen, 33 S. Third St., will create a 10-foot replica of the Guinness World Record Longest Candy Cane to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 51-foot-long accomplishment.
Saturday festivities will kick off with Pancake Breakfast with Santa from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave. The Geneva Lions Club hosts this event filled with live music, photos, crafts and breakfast. Cost is $10, $8 for age 4 to 12, or free for under age 3. Tickets are available via genevalionsclub.org.
Carols, cookies and nativities
Geneva churches will be hosting a variety of holiday activities. Unitarian Universalist Church, 102 S. Second St., is hosting its 40th annual Cookie Walk from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday. Buy a box ($20) and fill it with your choice of festive homemade cookies, while supplies last. New this year, there will be a holiday crafts, quilt sale and raffle. The church also will be offering a cup of hot coffee or cocoa on the Third Street lawn next to the Geneva History Center from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Enjoy "Carols in the Chapel" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in St. Mark's historic chapel, 320 Franklin St. Enter through Door 7.
Young actors will present Live Nativity tableau at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Friday at Geneva Lutheran Church, 301 S. Third St.
Marvel at the 18th-century Neapolitan nativity set on display at the Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Delight in Christmas trees decorated by local charities on display around Geneva. Vote for your favorite of the Geneva Giving Trees. Visit genevahistorymuseum.org/Geneva-giving-Trees/ for a map and how to vote through Jan. 1. Online votes must be made in $5 increments.
Meet the authors
The Little Traveler, 404 S. Third St., will be hosting author visits. On Friday, meet Todd Zimmerman, author of "Oliver the Ornament," a series of books about one family's collection of ornaments, from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Meet JB Michaels, author of the Geneva-based "Mac & Millie" mystery series, from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
They also will be welcoming back Margaret Philbrick to sign copies of "Back to the Manger," a Christmas story set in Geneva and a preview of her upcoming 2024 release about a different Nativity in Italy, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Don't forget to stop by the Friends of Geneva Library Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St. There is a $5 entrance fee for first two hours on Friday. It's a half-price sale on Sunday.
Christmas delights
Before their annual holiday shows on Dec. 8-10, Elise Flagg Academy of Dance will bring favorite characters from "The Nutcracker" to life in Geneva from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in the windows of Harvey's Tales Bookshop, 216 James St., and Inluro, 211 W. State St. Their "Naperville Nutcracker" performances will be 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. in Naperville.
Harvey's Tales Bookshop also is hosting the Geneva Girl Scout Troop 897 singing on the patio from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday.
On Friday, meet artist Brian Sauerland whose artwork focuses on landscapes and nature from 6 to 9 p.m. at Proud Fox Gallery, 213 W. State St.
Tickets are on sale for the Playhouse 38's winter production, "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play." Performances are 7 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday at Playhouse 38, 321 Stevens St., Suite P. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. All ages are welcome. Concessions will be for sale, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, candy and popcorn. For tickets, go to www.genevaparks.org/venue/playhouse-38/.
Stop by Preservation's Christkindlmarket from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Preservation, 513 S. Third St. It will feature your favorite local artisans, food, warm beverages, and roasting marshmallows for the kids.
On Saturday, St. Mark's Readers' Theatre will do its annual dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at 6 p.m. at St. Mark's Church, 320 Franklin St. It is free. Enter through door 1, 2 or 8 or 9.
On Sunday, capture holiday photos with Santa, savor a tasty holiday treat, and take home a treat bag from 1 to 3 p.m. at Coldwell Banker, 230 E. State St.
Reservations for Santa visits and the Holiday House Tour are already sold out. Complimentary carriage rides are offered between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-17 and Dec. 23 at South Third and James streets.
For the full schedule of events, visit genevachamber.com or call (630) 232-6060.