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!
Jump to…
Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings in the Western Suburbs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park (Lombard)
December 8, 2024 – January 1, 2024 | Daily, 4:30pm – 10:00pm
This local favorite annual holiday lights display illuminates Lilacia Park with light shows, tree decorations, gingerbread houses, and more.
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 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.
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.
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 (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.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies Not Yet Announced for 2024
As of October 9, 2024, the following events have not yet been announced for the upcoming holiday season. Check their websites for the most up-to-date information.
- Barrington Holiday Festivities – December 2, 2023
- Tree Lighting (Bolingbrook Village Hall) – December 2, 2023
- Holiday Walk & Market (Clarendon Hills) – December 1, 2023
- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Des Plaines) – December 1, 2023
- Geneva Commons Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration – November 25, 2023
- Holiday Walk (Glen Ellyn) – November 24, 2023
- Tree Lighting Festival (Hillside) – December 6, 2023
- Holiday Lighting Event (Itasca) – November 26, 2023
- Hometown Holiday (Lemont) – December 2, 2023
- Jingle Bell Jubilee (Lombard) – December 2, 2023
- Mount Prospect Tree Lighting and Christkindlmarket – November 22, 2023
- Tree Lighting Ceremony (The Drake, Oak Brook) – November 29, 2023
- Joyful Traditions (Villa Park) – December 2, 2023
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/