Holiday celebrations light up the suburbs
If the day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Christmas season, Chicago's suburbs don't waste any time starting their celebrations. So bring the family together and head out to these community events to check out tree lightings, holiday entertainment and, of course, the big guy in red.
We've pulled together a small sampling of local events. Check with your town to see what's planned there for more festivities close to home.
Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Antioch Village Hall, 874 Main St., Antioch, (847) 395-2233, antiochchamber.org
Hours: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28
Festivities start right before dark with a short holiday parade, including Santa. As it passes through the dark downtown to Village Hall, the trees are lit along Main Street culminating with a tree lighting ceremony complete with caroling led by the Westosha Lakes Sweet Adelines and free hot chocolate and cookies. Santa will greet all the kids before settling in at Santa's Enchanted Castle, where you can make a free visit and take your child's picture with St. Nick or buy one for a small fee.
Holiday Homecoming, Lincoln Park, Main and Fourth streets, St. Charles, 630-513-5386, stcholidayhomecoming.com
Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Head out to Holiday Homecoming early and you'll see artist Joseph Gagnepain working on an ice sculpting exhibition. The ceremony starts at 5 p.m., with the Municipal Center and the entire downtown turning their lights on at once and an appearance by Santa.
Festivities continue Saturday, Nov. 29, with a free showing of "The Polar Express" at 10 a.m. and a holiday concert at 2 p.m., both at the Arcada Theatre. If you need to do some holiday shopping, you'll still be entertained by strolling Victorian carolers and can take a break with a free sleigh ride from noon to 4 p.m. at the Third Street shops. The day's events conclude with the electric Christmas parade, which heads east from Sixth and Main street at 5:30 p.m. Along with bands, thousands of lights and huge balloons, you'll also catch Santa and Miss Illinois 2008 in the parade.
Christkindlesmarkt, Schaumburg Town Square, 10 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, 847-923-3605, villageofschaumburg.org
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
A European-influenced open air market, the 11th annual Christkindlesmarkt provides a great place to get holiday gifts while enjoying entertainment and traditional food. Artists and crafters will be selling advent calendars, baskets, cards, ceramics, clothing, dolls, sculptures and more, and St. Nicholas will be around from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, with Santa Claus taking over afterward. If your kids get cold, you can head into the heated food tent for activities including face painting and paper crafts.
Of course there's plenty of hot food there too, taking inspiration from the festival's original home in Nuremberg, Germany. Snack on bratwurst, German potato salad, strudel and goulash soup along with more typical festival treats like roasted nuts and hot chocolate. Once you've warmed up a little, head back out to catch performances from strolling carolers, Waterloo German Band or Allegro Dance Company and take a carriage sleigh ride for $1 for kids and $2 for adults.
Celebration of Lights Festival, Batavia Riverwalk, 100 S. Island Ave., Batavia, (630) 879-5235, bataviaparks.org
Hours: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
The Batavia High School Madrigal Choir starts the celebration at 5:45 p.m., with 15 minutes of caroling to get everyone in a festive mood before Santa arrives at 6. After the tree lighting, Santa's Warming House will open up, with a stocking full of treats for every kid under 10 who visits while supplies last. Stick around after for a strolling magician and tractor-pulled hayrides with a contribution of food or money to the Batavia Food Pantry. The Batavia Teen Center will sell hot dogs and hot chocolate if you need a little warming up. Other activities include holiday storytelling at the Depot Museum and 25 Christmas trees decorated by local scout troops.
Geneva Christmas Walk, downtown Geneva, (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com
Hours: 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5
Geneva celebrates its Swedish heritage during Christmas, with both Santa and Santa Lucia playing major roles. Festivities begin with caroling, followed by Santa Lucia's arrival in a horse-drawn carriage. Her attendants will hand out Pepparkakor, a Swedish cookie that you wish on and then try to break in three places in the palm of your hand. Santa shows up soon after and sets up residence in his gingerbread house to hear holiday wishes from kids. After your kids have made a visit, walk around the downtown and pick up some free roasted chestnuts and watch candy canes being made at Graham's Fine Chocolate's and Ice Cream. If that's not enough sweets The Latest Crave will be giving out free frosting shots until 9 p.m.
Local churches also offer a host of holiday activities. Geneva Evangelical Lutheran Church presents a live nativity, complete with animals and music at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Church members will be taking donations of food and cash for a local charity and handing out free cookies and hot cider. St. Mark's Episcopal Church will host free carols by candlelight from 7 to 8:30 in the chapel and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva will hold their annual cookie walk from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visitors can buy an empty box for $13 and fill it up with a selection of homemade cookies and candies.
Hometown Holidays celebration and Friends of Little Friends Electric Parade and Grand Illumination, Naperville, (630) 355-4141, downtownnaperville.org
Hours: Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; other festivities follow
Naperville starts off the season with a parade that begins at Centennial Beach and a performance by native/"American Idol" finalist Gina Glocksen. Entertainment is on the main stage at Jefferson and Webster; Santa and Mrs. Claus add to the fun when they flick the switch to turn on 400,000 lights downtown.
Santa will be available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Santa House on Jackson Avenue. The hoopla continues throughout the season.