25 Charming Holiday Walks and Tree Lightings in Chicago’s Western Suburbs

It’s so exciting to look forward to all the 2022 holiday walks that are happening soon! 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? 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!

2022 Holiday Walks in Chicago’s Western Suburbs

Deck the Green: Holiday Festivities (Burr Ridge)
November 18, 2022 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Shop and stroll through the Village Center, listen to a holiday concert, meet and greet with Santa, and more kid-friendly fun.

Winter Lights at Central Park (Oak Brook)
November 24, 2022 – January 8, 2023 | 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Stroll through scenic pathways with holiday lights and see dancing trees, inspirational signs, rainbow arches, and more.

Holiday Walk & Tree Lighting (Glen Ellyn)
November 25, 2022 | 5:00 pm – 8:30pm
An evening in downtown Glen Ellyn of shopping and holiday festivities. See the decorated storefront windows, Santa, and the sparkling tree lighting event.

Holiday Parade of Lights (Naperville)
November 25, 2022 | 7:00 pm
Watch the parade in downtown Naperville under the lights displays. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a visit inside the Naperville Public Library.

Holiday Homecoming Weekend (St. Charles)
November 25-26, 2022
Kick off the season with the lighting of the lights, a holiday tree trail, holiday movie, Santa’s house, and an electric Christmas parade.

Gingerbread House Contest (Downers Grove)
November 25 – December 23, 2022
Colorfully crafted gingerbread houses are displayed in 40+ windows throughout downtown Downers Grove as part of this annual tradition.

Parade of Gingerbread Houses (Bloomingdale)
November 25 – January 8, 2023
Visit local businesses and then vote for your favorite gingerbread house by donating money into the ballot box. You’ll be supporting the St. Isidore PADS program for the homeless with your contribution.

City Centre Penguin Contest (Elmhurst)
November 26, 2022 – January 4, 2023
Look for all of the plush penguins hidden in the windows of stores. Be sure to pick up a game card at your favorite merchant; there will be over 100 prizes.

Celebration of Lights Festival (Batavia)
November 27, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Batavia Riverwalk
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.

Christmas Tree Walk (Wheaton)
December 1, 2022
Stroll around town and enjoy the bright display of Christmas trees decorated by all the favorite downtown Wheaton staples. Stop by nearby Adams Park outside the library to see the lights there, too.

Tree Lighting in Wilder Park (Elmhurst)
December 1, 2022 | 5:30 pm
Annual holiday tree lighting event that includes a visit with Santa/Grinch, holiday music/games, and more.

Holiday Walk & Market (Clarendon Hills)
December 2, 2022 | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shop the local merchants on a festive evening that includes a tree lighting, strolling carolers, horse drawn carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, refreshments, a visit with Santa, and more.

Village Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland (La Grange Park)
December 2, 2022 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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.

Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting (Hinsdale)
December 2 | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
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 & Festival of Windows (Forest Park)
December 2 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Kick off the season on Madison Street with live window displays, merchant open houses, horse-drawn carriage rides, balloon twisting, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and an ice sculpture photo op.

Winter Wonderland (Western Springs)
December 3, 2022
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.

Holiday Celebration (Brookfield)
December 3, 2022 | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Downtown Brookfield celebration with food, drinks, wood carving, petting zoo, trolley rides, family activities, artwork display, and musical entertainment.

Winterfest & Cookie Walk (Oak Park)
December 3, 2022 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Family movie, choir music/caroling, free cocoa/coffee and the annual cookie walk. You might catch a glimpse of St. Nicholas, too.

Joyful Traditions (Villa Park)
December 3, 2022 | 8:00 pm
Featuring Santa, character photo ops (Mickey, the Grinch, Cat in the Hat) trolley rides, petting zoo, pony rides, and more.

Holly Days (Westmont)
December 3, 2022 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
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.

Hometown Holiday and Holiday Walk (La Grange)
December 3, 2022
Festive activities including light displays, holiday “Selfies with Elfies” photo boards, a vintage sleigh, a walk-through illumination, and a tree lighting. Santa will be there, too. Gift shopping, singing carolers, and ice sculptures round out day.

Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park (Lombard)
December 3, 2022 –  January 2, 2023 |  Daily, 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm 
This local favorite annual holiday lights display illuminates Lilacia Park with light shows, tree decorations, gingerbread houses, and more.

Home for the Holidays – Tree Lighting Ceremony – Heritage Park (Homer Glen)
December 4, 2022 | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Holiday crafts, hot cocoa, Santa meet and greet, Christkindlmarket, music, holiday costumed characters, and live ice sculpting. There will be a Letters to Santa box for kids to send their wish lists, too.

Merry & Bright, A Victorian Christmas (Downers Grove)
December 10, 2022 | 3:00 pm
Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, visit with Santa, stroll the park on a luminary walk, view holiday trees and warm up around a campfire as Victorian-era carolers sing.

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!