Experience the holiday joy in Des Plaines! Our guide has all the exciting festive happenings. For Des Plaines natives and holiday travelers, our guide ensures everyone enjoys the season's best.
Popular events include the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, where the community comes together to witness the illumination of the festive tree in a heartwarming celebration. Additionally, the Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting features charming decorations and local vendors that enhance the holiday spirit. And the Holiday Tree Lighting is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it marks the start of the holiday season in Des Plaines. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Des Plaines
- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting (Hinsdale)
- Holiday Tree Lighting (Bartlett)
- Snow Much Fun (Westmont)
- Village Tree Lighting (La Grange Park)
- Christmas Walk (Geneva)
- Holiday Tree Lighting (Carol Stream)
- Homer For The Holidays (Homer Glen)
- Tree Lighting in Wilder Park (Elmhurst)
- Merry Madness (Downers Grove)
See these and even more events listed below!
Des Plaines Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live performances and Santa's arrival.
Description:
The City of Des Plaines Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place at Metropolitan Square on December 1, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The event features live performances, Santa's arrival, food trucks, and photos with Santa.
Where: Des Plaines | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn wagon ride with live reindeer and Disney characters.
Description:
The Holiday Tree Lighting in Bartlett features a horse-drawn wagon ride through downtown, live reindeer, ice sculptures, and Disney characters. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for visits in a log cabin, and the South Elgin High choir will perform holiday songs. The event includes food trucks, fire pits, and a holiday tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Bartlett | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Village Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting with holiday entertainment and special visitors.
Description:
Join the Park District of La Grange for an old-fashioned tree lighting at Waiola Park, featuring holiday entertainment, special visitors, and hot cocoa and cookies. Gather your family and friends to enjoy wonderful tree decorations and register for tree decorating guidelines.
Where: La Grange Park | More Info: Village Tree Lighting
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community celebration with Santa and holiday activities.
Description:
The Holiday Tree Lighting in Carol Stream, IL, is a community event hosted by the Carol Stream Park District. Attendees gather at the Carol Stream Town Center to share holiday cheer through seasonal music performances. Santa arrives at 6:30 PM, accompanied by the Carol Stream Fire District, and together they light the holiday tree. Guests can enjoy seasonal beverages and snacks, participate in free holiday crafts, visit the Carol Stream Library, and watch a Park District dance performance. A free digital photo opportunity with Santa is also available.
Where: Carol Stream | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Homer For The Holidays
What to Expect:
Illuminating Heritage Park with festive lights and fun activities.
Description:
Join the community in celebrating the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony at Heritage Park, featuring festive lights, music, fun characters, and delicious seasonal treats.
Where: Homer Glen | More Info: Homer For The Holidays
Tree Lighting in Wilder Park
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with a people's choice award.
Description:
Join the Elmhurst Park District for a festive holiday event in Wilder Park, featuring the lighting of community trees and holiday festivities. Enjoy food trucks, decorations, and a chance to vote for your favorite tree.
Where: Elmhurst | More Info: Tree Lighting in Wilder Park
Tour the Lights in Your Neighborhood
What to Expect:
Heated trolleys with open windows for a clear view of holiday lights.
Description:
Explore decorated homes in Crown Point with guided trolley rides, starting with a holiday story time at the Crown Point Community Library.
Where: Various | More Info: Tour the Lights in Your Neighborhood
Des Plaines Holiday Markets and Shopping
Merry Madness
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with local business specials and entertainment.
Description:
Join downtown Downers Grove businesses for Merry Madness, featuring holiday specials, gift card drawings, strolling carolers, and more.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Merry Madness
Des Plaines Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Concert at Willows Academy
What to Expect:
Student and faculty musical performances.
Description:
The Christmas Concert at Willows Academy is an annual celebration featuring a variety of musical performances by students and faculty, showcasing the school's talent and spirit.
Where: Des Plaines | More Info: Christmas Concert at Willows Academy
Holiday Prelude at Willows Academy
What to Expect:
Celebrating 50 years of Willows Academy with a benefit dinner and auctions.
Description:
Join Willows Academy for a special evening celebrating 50 years of education and community. Enjoy cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, paddle raise, live auction, and dancing at the Chevy Chase Country Club.
Where: Des Plaines | More Info: Holiday Prelude at Willows Academy
Des Plaines Other Holiday Activities
Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday crafts and activities.
Description:
The Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting in Downtown Hinsdale features family-friendly holiday crafts, giveaways, and activities, making it a delightful way to kick off the holiday season.
Where: Hinsdale | More Info: Annual Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting
Snow Much Fun
What to Expect:
Outdoor winter fun with festive activities and refreshments.
Description:
Snow Much Fun is a festive winter event at Veterans Memorial Park featuring outdoor games, a gingerbread bounce house, mule-drawn wagon rides, and community-decorated Christmas trees. Enjoy refreshments from a local food truck and take selfies with Santa's sleigh. Kids can visit Santa inside the Gregg House and make s'mores.
Where: Westmont | More Info: Snow Much Fun
Christmas Walk
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa Claus, carolers, and festive shopping.
Description:
The Geneva Christmas Walk is a festive holiday event in downtown Geneva, IL, featuring the lighting of the Great Tree, Santa Claus, carolers, a live nativity, and holiday refreshments. The event includes dazzling business window displays, roasted chestnuts, and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Where: Geneva | More Info: Christmas Walk
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Park Ridge (3 miles)
- Mount Prospect (4 miles)
- Niles (4 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (5 miles)
- Morton Grove (5 miles)
- Glenview (6 miles)
- Northbrook (7 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (8 miles)
- Wheeling (8 miles)
- Skokie (8 miles)
- Portage Park (8 miles)
- Wilmette (9 miles)
- Addison (9 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (9 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (9 miles)
- Melrose Park (9 miles)
- Irving Park (9 miles)
- Albany Park (9 miles)
- Palatine (9 miles)
- Elmhurst (10 miles)
- West Ridge (10 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (10 miles)
- Roselle (11 miles)
- Lincoln Square (11 miles)
- Maywood (11 miles)
- Avondale (11 miles)
- Highland Park (11 miles)
- Rogers Park (11 miles)
- Villa Park (11 miles)
- Bloomingdale (11 miles)
- Oak Park (11 miles)
- Edgewater (12 miles)
- North Center (12 miles)
- Logan Square (12 miles)
- Lombard (12 miles)
- Glendale Heights (12 miles)
- Uptown (13 miles)
- Berwyn (13 miles)
- Hanover Park (14 miles)
- Vernon Hills (14 miles)
- East Garfield Park (14 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (14 miles)
- Lincoln Park (14 miles)
- West Town (14 miles)
- Cicero (15 miles)
- North Lawndale (15 miles)
- Streamwood (15 miles)
- Carol Stream (15 miles)
- Bartlett (16 miles)
- Near North Side (16 miles)
- South Lawndale (16 miles)
- Wheaton (16 miles)
- Chicago Loop (16 miles)
- Lower West Side (17 miles)
- Downers Grove (17 miles)
- Mundelein (17 miles)
- Westmont (17 miles)
- Chicago (17 miles)
- Brighton Park (18 miles)
- Libertyville (18 miles)
- Bridgeport (18 miles)
- Near South Side (18 miles)
- Lisle (19 miles)
- Gage Park (19 miles)
- Douglas (19 miles)
- West Chicago (19 miles)
- New City (19 miles)
- West Lawn (20 miles)
- Darien (20 miles)
- Carpentersville (20 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (20 miles)
- North Chicago (20 miles)
- Elgin (20 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (20 miles)
- West Englewood (21 miles)
- South Elgin (21 miles)
- Englewood (21 miles)
- Burbank (21 miles)
- Woodridge (22 miles)
- Ashburn (22 miles)
- Naperville (22 miles)
- Hyde Park (22 miles)
- Woodlawn (23 miles)
- Algonquin (23 miles)
- Grayslake (23 miles)
- Oak Lawn (23 miles)
- Gurnee (23 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (23 miles)
- St. Charles (23 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (23 miles)
- Geneva (24 miles)
- South Shore (24 miles)
- Chatham (25 miles)
- Bolingbrook (25 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (25 miles)
- Batavia (25 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (26 miles)
- Morgan Park (26 miles)
- Crystal Lake (26 miles)
- South Chicago (26 miles)
- Wasco (28 miles)
- Orland Park (28 miles)
- Blue Island (28 miles)
- McHenry (29 miles)
- Zion (29 miles)
- Romeoville (29 miles)
- Aurora (29 miles)
- Huntley (29 miles)
- Homer Glen (30 miles)
- Oak Forest (31 miles)
- Dolton (31 miles)
- Harvey (32 miles)
- Lockport (32 miles)
- Tinley Park (32 miles)
- Plainfield (33 miles)
- South Holland (33 miles)
- Calumet City (34 miles)
- Oswego (34 miles)
- Woodstock (35 miles)
- Crest Hill (35 miles)
- East Chicago (35 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (36 miles)
- New Lenox (36 miles)
- Joliet (37 miles)
- Lansing (37 miles)
- Munster (38 miles)
- Kenosha (38 miles)
- Chicago Heights (39 miles)
- Park Forest (39 miles)
- Highland (40 miles)
- Gary (41 miles)
- Schererville (44 miles)