The 2025 holiday season is in full swing, and holiday walks and tree lightings are happening all around Chicagoland. What better way on a frosty evening to get in the festive spirit than with a stroll amidst some beautifully crafted store-front windows and tree-lined streets, all magically lit with sparkling lights? Even better if you can catch the magic happening with a tree lighting ceremony in Chicago’s historic suburban downtowns!
Bundle up the family, grab some hot cocoa, and check out one (or more) of these outdoor holiday walks near you. It’ll feel great to get outside with kiddos, celebrate the beauty of the season, and get some holiday shopping in, too!
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Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings in the Western Suburbs
Gingerbread Man Hunt (Downers Grove)
Through December 31, 2025
Visit the stores throughout downtown Downers Grove to find hidden gingerbread men.
Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
November 8, 2025 | 10:00am – 3:30pm
The tree is turned on at 11:00am, but festivities last all day. Included in general admission.
Light The Tree With Santa (North Riverside Park Mall)
November 14, 2025 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Visit the mall for festivities, with Santa arriving at 5:30pm.
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Naperville)
November 19, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Register in advance for a visit to Naper Settlement’s tree lighting featuring complimentary hot chocolate and activities.
Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Tree Trimming (Memorial Parkway, River Forest)
November 20, 2025 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Come be a part of the display along Lake Street.
Deck the Green: Holiday Festivities (Burr Ridge)
November 21, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Shop and stroll through the Village Center, listen to a holiday concert, meet and greet with Santa, and more kid-friendly fun.
Winter Lights (Aurora)
November 21, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Illuminated parade, tree lighting, live music, and fireworks display in downtown Aurora.
Greektown Tree Lighting (Chicago)
November 23, 2025 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Greektown Chicago is celebrating the holiday season with festive blue and white lights along Halsted Street, the 10th annual tree lighting ceremony, and a Greek-inspired Holiday Karavákia display.
Holiday Happening (Hodgkins Park District, Hodgkins)
November 23, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Join the Hodgkins Park District for their tree lighting festivities.
Starry Night Decorated Windows (Downtown Glen Ellyn)
November 26 – December 25, 2025
Visit creatively decorated store windows throughout Downtown Glen Ellyn.
Holiday Bear Scavenger Hunt (Downtown Naperville)
November 27, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Find bears hidden throughout the stores of Downtown Naperville. Complete a scavenger hunt sheet for a chance to win prizes.
Window Decorating Contest (Downers Grove)
November 28 – December 7, 2025
The windows displays of downtown Downers Grove are decorated as part of an annual tradition. More details to come.
Reindeer Roundup (Elmhurst City Centre)
November 28, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Download the Reindeer Roundup game card, search for reindeer at participating merchants, and record each merchant’s name and ribbon color to enter for prizes.
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Downers Grove)
November 28, 2025 | 4:30pm – 5:00pm
Live music and a tree lighting ceremony at Main Street Station in downtown Downers Grove.
Holiday Walk (Downtown Glen Ellyn)
November 28, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:30pm
An evening in downtown Glen Ellyn of shopping and holiday festivities. See Santa at the fire station, and the sparkling tree lighting event.
Holiday Homecoming (Downtown St. Charles)
November 28, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
November 29, 2025 | 10:00am – 7:00pm
Kick off the season with the lighting of the lights, a holiday tree trail, holiday movie, Santa’s house, and an electric Christmas parade.
Wheaton Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
November 28, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
The parade will move through downtown Wheaton, ending at the south pavilion for this year’s tree lighting.
Winter Wonder Lights Celebration Kickoff (Peck Farm Park, Geneva)
November 29, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Celebrate the start of the holiday season at this festive event with hot cocoa, visits with Santa, and more.
Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival (Geneva Commons)
November 29, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Photos with Santa and the Grinch are just one of the activities at this festive event.
Celebration of Lights Festival (Batavia Riverwalk)
November 30, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Stroll Christmas Tree Lane, a tree lighting ceremony, free hayrides, community sing-a-long, story hour, holiday crafts and a family photo op with Santa.
Tree Lighting Ceremony (The Drake, Oak Brook)
December 3, 2025 | 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Enjoy holiday carolers and refreshments at this free event.
Winter Fest (Village Commons, North Riverside)
December 3, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Tree lighting, music, and of course, Santa.
Winter Wonderland Walk (Westchester)
December 3 – 4, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Visit with Santa, watch the tree lighting, and more at this two-day celebration.
Tree Lighting in Wilder Park (Elmhurst)
December 4, 2025 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Annual holiday tree lighting event that includes a visit with Santa, holiday music/games, and more.
Tree Lighting Festival (Hillside)
December 4, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Visit with Santa, enjoy free sleigh rides, and celebrate the start of the holiday season.
Christmas Walk (Downtown Oswego)
December 5, 2025 | 4:30pm – 8:30pm
This free, family-friendly event is filled with festive fun for all ages, with live choral performances, Santa’s reindeer, the annual tree lighting ceremony, and more.
Hinsdale Christmas Walk (Downtown Hinsdale)
December 5, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Celebrate the holiday season with merchants and stores in the downtown business district. A tree lighting at the memorial building grounds starts off this evening, followed by live music, a carousel, a trackless train, costumed characters, and giveaways.
Holiday Tree Lighting Extravaganza (Carol Stream)
December 5, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Visit Carol Stream Town Center for this annual event to kick off the holidays.
Home for the Holidays – Tree Lighting Ceremony (Heritage Park, Homer Glen)
December 6, 2025 | times TBA
Holiday crafts, hot cocoa, Santa meet and greet, music, and holiday costumed characters. There will be a Letters to Santa box for kids to send their wish lists, too.
Winter Wonderland (Western Springs)
December 6, 2025 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
See all the beautifully decorated holiday trees, watch Santa arrive, listen to holiday music, take a hayride, and visit the petting zoo. The annual tree lighting is at 5pm.
Winter Wonderland (Wicker Park, Chicago)
December 6, 2025 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Kick off the holiday season with character visits including free photos with Santa, special sales, and the tree lighting.
Jingle Bell Jubilee (Lombard)
December 6, 2025 | 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Join Lombard’s annual celebration in Downtown Lombard.
Hometown Holiday (Lemont)
December 6, 2025 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Visit downtown Lemont for this annual festival including Santa sightings.
Lights of Lisle
December 6, 2025 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Santa parade, crafts, tree lighting ceremony, and Merry on Main businesses festivities in downtown Lisle.
Winter Wonderful Fest (Winfield)
December 6, 2025 | 3:00pm – 6:30pm
Celebrate the season with character visits, live ice sculpting, and more.
Joyful Traditions (Villa Park)
December 6, 2025 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Featuring Santa, character photo ops, visits with animals, food trucks, and more.
Holiday Walk & Market (Clarendon Hills)
December 6, 2025 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Shop the local merchants on a festive evening that includes a tree lighting, wagon rides, refreshments, a visit with Santa, and more.
Holiday Walk (La Grange)
December 6, 2025 | 4:00pm – 9:00pm
This annual event features tree lighting, Santa visits and so much more.
Tree Lighting (Bolingbrook Village Hall)
December 6, 2025 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Celebrate the start of the Winter Walk with a countdown to the tree lighting.
Montgomery Merry and Bright
December 7, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Santa arrives at 5:00pm, and will be available for photos after the tree lighting ceremony.
Holiday Tree Lighting (Waiola Park, La Grange)
December 9, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with live entertainment.
Merry & Bright, A Victorian Christmas (Downers Grove)
December 13, 2025 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, visit with Santa, stroll through holiday trees and warm up listening to carolers.
Christmas Tree Walk (Downtown Wheaton)
dates not yet announced
Stroll through downtown Wheaton and vote for your favorite tree.
Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings in the Northwestern Suburbs
Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
November 8, 2025 | 10:00am – 3:30pm
The tree is turned on at 11:00am, but festivities last all day. Included in general admission.
Light Up The Park (Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont)
November 22, 2025 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Ice skating, ice sculptures, carolers, and more can be found all day long. Tree lighting begins at 5:30pm.
Friendship Tree Lighting Ceremony (Hoffman Estates)
November 22, 2025 | starts at 5:00pm
Hoffman Estates festivities, which include fireworks, will be at Village Hall.
Tree Lighting at City Hall (Wood Dale)
November 22, 2025 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Visit with Santa, watch fireworks, and more at this festive event to kick off the holiday season.
Holiday Magic and Tree Lighting (Bensenville)
November 23, 2025 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Santa visits, car parade, and tree lighting ceremony at this festive event.
Greektown Tree Lighting (Chicago)
November 23, 2025 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Greektown Chicago is celebrating the holiday season with festive blue and white lights along Halsted Street, the 10th annual tree lighting ceremony, and a Greek-inspired Holiday Karavákia display.
Mount Prospect Tree Lighting and Christkindlmarket
November 26, 2025 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Stop by Edwin and Elsie (Meyn) Busse Park to listen to music, visit vendors, and watch the tree lighting.
Holiday Tree Lighting (Village Green, Elk Grove Village)
November 28, 2025 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Live music, tree lighting, and fireworks will kick off the holidays in Elk Grove Village.
Holiday Tree Lighting (Arlington Heights)
November 28, 2025 | 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Visit the tree lighting ceremony at North School Park, then take the trolley to Harmony Park for more festivities, including live reindeer and ice sculptures.
Park Ridge Winterfest
November 28, 2025 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Santa will be at City Hall, watch the tree lighting ceremony, enjoy trolley rides, and listen to carolers.
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Schaumburg)
November 28, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Tree lighting, Santa’s arrival, character visits, carolers, and more.
Festival of Lights Opening Night and Kris Kringle Market (Bloomingdale)
November 29, 2025 | 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Kick off the Festival of Lights with special activities at Old Town Park.
Annual Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival (Prospect Heights)
November 29, 2025 | 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Celebrate the start of the holiday season at this annual event.
Holiday Trees (Old Town Park, Bloomingdale)
November 30, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Stroll through trees decorated by Bloomingdale Chamber businesses. Vote for your favorites!
Parade of Gingerbread Houses (Bloomingdale)
November 29 – January 4, 2025
Visit local businesses and then vote for your favorite gingerbread house by donating money into the ballot box.
Winter Wonderland (Usher Park, Itasca)
November 30, 2025 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Celebrate the season with a holiday market and tree lighting ceremony.
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Glendale Heights)
December 1, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Visit the Civic Center Campus for live music, Santa Claus, and the tree lighting.
Holiday Celebration (Rolling Meadows)
December 4, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Visit City Hall for this annual celebration to kick off the holiday season.
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Des Plaines)
December 5, 2025 | 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Metropolitan Square is home to Des Plaines’ festivities including live performances, Santa’s arrival, food trucks and photos with Santa.
Light Up The Park (Harrer Park, Morton Grove)
December 5, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy a tractor ride, snap a family photo, listen to live music performances, and take part in more seasonal fun.
Luminaria (Streamwood)
December 5, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Kick off the holiday season at the 41st year of this annual event held at Village Hall.
Winter Wonderland (Wicker Park, Chicago)
December 6, 2025 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Kick off the holiday season with character visits including free photos with Santa, special sales, and the tree lighting.
Farmside Christmas (Bensenville)
December 6, 2025 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Enjoy Christmas festivities all afternoon at Fischer Farm.
Roselle Winterfest
December 6, 2025 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Live entertainment, festive treats, and the tree lighting ceremony.
Barrington Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 6, 2025 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Enjoy ice carvings, live music performances, and much more. Register for visits with Santa.
Merry and Bright – Lighting the Tree (Bartlett)
December 6, 2025 | 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, tree lighting, and music at Bartlett Park.
Past Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings Not Yet Announced for 2025
These celebrations happened in 2024, but have not yet been announced for 2025 as of the date this list was published. Check their websites for the most up-to-date details.
- Park Ridge Winterfest – November 29, 2024
- Village Tree Lighting (La Grange Park) – December 6, 2024
- Village of Berkeley Holiday Events – December 7, 2024
- Holiday Celebration (Brookfield) – December 7, 2024
If your holiday stroll got you in the mood for more walking, check out our Winter Hikes list for some beautiful spots to go hiking or cross country skiing! We love to see your winter adventures; tag us on social media!
1 Comment. Leave new
Berwyn is doing a gingerbread scavenger hunt, too!
https://www.facebook.com/events/381488583175633/