45 Charming Holiday Walks and Tree Lighting Ceremonies

The 2024 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!

Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings in the Western Suburbs

Light The Tree With Santa (North Riverside Park Mall)
November 17, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Visit the mall for festivities, with Santa arriving at 12:00pm.

Deck the Green: Holiday Festivities (Burr Ridge)
November 22, 2024 | 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 22, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Illuminated parade, tree lighting, live music, and fireworks display in downtown Aurora.

Holiday Happening (Hodgkins)
November 24, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Join the Hodgkins Park District for their tree lighting festivities.

Holiday Bear Scavenger Hunt (Downtown Naperville)
November 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Find bears hidden throughout the stores of Downtown Naperville. Complete a scavenger hunt sheet for a chance to win prizes.

Holiday Painted Windows (Downtown Naperville)
November 29, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Visit creatively decorated store windows throughout Downtown Naperville.

Window Decorating Contest (Downers Grove)
November 29 – December 8, 2024
The windows displays of downtown Downers Grove are decorated as part of an annual tradition. More details to come.

Starry Night Decorated Windows (Downtown Glen Ellyn)
November 29 – December 25, 2024
Visit creatively decorated store windows throughout Downtown Glen Ellyn.

Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival (Geneva Commons)
November 30, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Enjoy photos with Santa and The Grinch, Christmas carolers, games, and much more.

Gingerbread Man Hunt (Downers Grove)
Through December 31, 2024
Visit the stores throughout downtown Downers Grove to find hidden gingerbread men.

Holiday Homecoming Weekend (St. Charles)
November 29 – 30, 2024 | times vary
Kick off the season with the lighting of the lights, a holiday tree trail, holiday movie, Santa’s house, and an electric Christmas parade.

Parade of Gingerbread Houses (Bloomingdale)
November 29 – January 5, 2024
Visit local businesses and then vote for your favorite gingerbread house by donating money into the ballot box.

Tree Lighting Ceremony (Downers Grove)
November 29, 2024 | 4:30pm – 5:00pm
Live music and a tree lighting ceremony at Main Street Station in downtown Downers Grove.

Holiday Walk (Glen Ellyn)
November 29, 2024 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
An evening in downtown Glen Ellyn of shopping and holiday festivities. See Santa at the fire station, and the sparkling tree lighting event.

Wheaton Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
November 29, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
The parade will move through downtown Wheaton, ending at the south pavilion for this year’s tree lighting.

Celebration of Lights Festival (Batavia Riverwalk)
December 1, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Stroll Christmas Tree Lane, featuring 25 holiday trees decorated by local businesses, 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 4, 2024 | 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Enjoy holiday carolers and refreshments at this free event.

Tree Lighting Ceremony (Naperville)
December 4, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Register in advance for a visit to Naper Settlement’s tree lighting featuring complimentary hot chocolate and activities.

Winterfest (North Riverside)
December 4, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Live music, tree lighting, refreshments, and of course, Santa Claus.

Winter Wonderland Walk (Westchester)
December 4 – 5, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Visit with Santa, watch the tree lighting, meet live reindeer, and more at this two-day celebration.

Tree Lighting in Wilder Park (Elmhurst)
December 5, 2024 | 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 5, 2024 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Visit with the Jolly Ol’ Elf, enjoy free sleigh rides, and receive giveaways while supplies last.

Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting (Hinsdale)
December 6, 2024 | 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 Walk & Market (Clarendon Hills)
December 6, 2024 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Shop the local merchants on a festive evening that includes a tree lighting, strolling carolers, refreshments, a visit with Santa, and more.

Village Tree Lighting (La Grange Park)
December 6, 2024 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Gather with neighbors at Memorial Park as the tree is lit and walk through the festive winter wonderland lined with an array of decorated trees sponsored by local businesses. Musical performances, too.

Holiday Walk (La Grange)
December 7, 2024 | times TBA
More details to come about La Grange’s annual festivities.

Home for the Holidays – Tree Lighting Ceremony (Heritage Park, Homer Glen)
December 7, 2024 | 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 7, 2024 | 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.

Village of Berkeley Holiday Events
December 7, 2024 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Enjoy the Electric Lights Festival, along with the Holiday Market and an open house at the Berkeley Public Library.

Hometown Holiday (Lemont)
December 7, 2024 | 2:00pm – 10:00pm
Visit downtown Lemont for this annual festival including Santa sightings.

Holiday Celebration (Brookfield)
December 7, 2024 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Downtown Brookfield celebration with food, drinks, petting zoo, family activities, and musical entertainment.

Jingle Bell Jubilee (Lombard)
December 7, 2024 | 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Join Lombard’s annual celebration in Downtown Lombard.

Joyful Traditions (Villa Park)
December 7, 2024 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Featuring Santa, character photo ops, visits with animals, food trucks, and more.

Lights of Lisle
December 7, 2024 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Santa parade, crafts, tree lighting ceremony, and Merry on Main businesses festivities in downtown Lisle.

Holly Days (Westmont)
December 7, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
All the downtown businesses will be open on during this celebration, which will feature the Frosty & Friends parade, holiday treats, visits with Santa, and more.

Tree Lighting (Bolingbrook Village Hall)
December 7, 2024 | 5:00pm
Celebrate the start of the Winter Walk with a countdown to the tree lighting.

Montgomery Merry and Bright
December 8, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Santa arrives at 5:00pm, and will be available for photos after the tree lighting ceremony.

Holiday Tree Lighting (La Grange)
December 10, 2024 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with live entertainment.

Merry & Bright, A Victorian Christmas (Downers Grove)
December 14, 2024 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, visit with Santa, stroll through holiday trees and warm up listening to carolers.

Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings in the Northwestern Suburbs

Light Up The Park (Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont)
November 23, 2024 | 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 23, 2024 | starts at 5:30pm
Hoffman Estates festivities will be at Village Hall.

Holiday Magic and Tree Lighting (Bensenville)
November 24, 2024 | 4:45pm – 7:00pm
Santa visits, petting zoo, and tree lighting ceremony at this festive event.

Mount Prospect Tree Lighting and Christkindlmarket
November 27, 2024 | 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 (Elk Grove Village)
November 29, 2024 | 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 29, 2024 | 4:00pm – 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 29, 2024 | 6:00pm – 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 29, 2024 | 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 30, 2024 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Kick off the Festival of Lights with special activities at Old Town Park.

Holiday Lighting Event (Itasca)
December 1, 2024 | 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Watch holiday performances and enjoy hot chocolate at Usher Park.

Tree Lighting Ceremony (Glendale Heights)
December 2, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Visit the Civic Center Campus for live music, Santa Claus, and the tree lighting.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Des Plaines)
December 6, 2024 | 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Metropolitan Square is home to Des Plaines’ festivities including live performances, Santa’s arrival, food trucks and photos with Santa.

Holiday Tree Lighting (Bartlett)
December 6, 2024 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, tree lighting, and music at Bartlett Park.

Farmside Christmas (Bensenville)
December 7, 2024 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Enjoy Christmas festivities all afternoon at Fischer Farm.

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!