See the best of the festive season in Downers Grove with our comprehensive overview guide. Discover all the key holiday events. Whether you're a familiar face in Downers Grove or seeing it fresh, our guide is your key to holiday cheer.
One highlight of the holiday experience is the Christkindlmarket Aurora, where you can explore the charm of a traditional German market filled with handcrafted goods and delicious seasonal treats. Another local favorite is the Village of Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring festive music and a beautiful display that captures the spirit of the season. And the Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a stunning spectacle of lights against the backdrop of nature. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Downers Grove Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Downers Grove
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- Christkindlmarket Aurora (Aurora)
- Village of Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Holiday Window Contest
- Candy Cane Cash
- Merry Madness
- Complimentary Carriage Rides
- Skokie North Pole Express (Skokie)
- Polar Express Train Rides (Union)
- Downtown Trick-or-Treating
See these and even more events listed below!
Downers Grove Holiday Light Displays
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music in a beautiful arboretum setting.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of The Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light and sound display. The event features 17 dazzling light and music displays, including new exhibits like Starlit Trail and Winter Radiance, along a one-mile ADA-compliant path. Enjoy warm beverages, snacks, and meals at concession tents and the Ginkgo Restaurant while viewing a laser light finale at Meadow Lake.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Village of Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Community celebration with live music and Santa.
Description:
The Village of Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony is a community event held at the Main Street Train Station, featuring Santa, the District 99 marching band, and the Downers Grove Choral Society. It marks the beginning of the holiday season with music and festive atmosphere.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Village of Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony
Downers Grove Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket Aurora
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with diverse shopping and entertainment.
Description:
Christkindlmarket Aurora is a German-themed holiday market at RiverEdge Park, featuring over 55 vendors, live performances, and family-friendly activities.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Christkindlmarket Aurora
Holiday Window Contest
What to Expect:
Creative and colorful holiday window displays by local businesses.
Description:
The Holiday Window Contest in Downtown Downers Grove is a festive event where local businesses showcase their creative and colorful holiday displays. Residents and visitors can admire the intricate designs and decorations that transform the town's storefronts into a vibrant holiday scene.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Holiday Window Contest
Candy Cane Cash
What to Expect:
Exclusive holiday discounts at local businesses.
Description:
Candy Cane Cash is a holiday promotion offering discounts and special deals at participating businesses in Downtown Downers Grove.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Candy Cane Cash
Merry Madness
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping and dining specials with local businesses.
Description:
Join downtown Downers Grove businesses for Merry Madness, featuring holiday specials, late hours, massages, and festive cocktails. Enjoy music bingo, gift card drawings, and unique shopping experiences.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Merry Madness
Downers Grove Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Train Rides
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with Santa and festive train ride.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a family-friendly holiday event where beautifully decorated trains take passengers on a journey to the North Pole. The trip includes a reading of The Polar Express, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Union | More Info: Polar Express Train Rides
Downers Grove Other Holiday Activities
Complimentary Carriage Rides
What to Expect:
Free carriage rides through historic downtown area.
Description:
Take a leisurely ride through Downtown Downers Grove in a complimentary carriage, enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Complimentary Carriage Rides
Grove Express 5K Race
What to Expect:
USA Track & Field certified course through the heart of downtown Downers Grove.
Description:
The Grove Express 5K is an annual Thanksgiving Day run/walk in downtown Downers Grove, supporting education and youth programs in the community.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Grove Express 5K Race
Downtown Trick-or-Treating
What to Expect:
Community-driven trick-or-treating with local business participation.
Description:
Join participating downtown Downers Grove businesses for a fun afternoon of trick-or-treating. The event includes a costume contest at Fishel Park hosted by the Lions Club.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Downtown Trick-or-Treating
Skokie North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with Santa Claus.
Description:
The Skokie North Pole Express is a festive train ride where riders are provided with decorations, crafts, and activity books. The event includes a reading of "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg and singing of holiday carols. Santa Claus joins the train upon arrival at Fox Lake to visit with every child. Drinks and snacks are offered during the ride.
Where: Skokie | More Info: Skokie North Pole Express
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Westmont (2 miles)
- Lisle (3 miles)
- Darien (4 miles)
- Woodridge (5 miles)
- Lombard (5 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (6 miles)
- Villa Park (6 miles)
- Wheaton (6 miles)
- Naperville (7 miles)
- Elmhurst (7 miles)
- Glendale Heights (8 miles)
- Bolingbrook (8 miles)
- Addison (9 miles)
- Carol Stream (10 miles)
- Maywood (10 miles)
- Melrose Park (10 miles)
- Bloomingdale (11 miles)
- West Chicago (11 miles)
- Berwyn (12 miles)
- Romeoville (12 miles)
- Roselle (13 miles)
- Oak Park (13 miles)
- Burbank (13 miles)
- Cicero (13 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (14 miles)
- Oak Lawn (15 miles)
- Orland Park (15 miles)
- Hanover Park (15 miles)
- Homer Glen (15 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (15 miles)
- West Lawn (15 miles)
- Lockport (15 miles)
- North Lawndale (15 miles)
- South Lawndale (16 miles)
- Bartlett (16 miles)
- Batavia (16 miles)
- Plainfield (16 miles)
- Ashburn (16 miles)
- Geneva (16 miles)
- Brighton Park (16 miles)
- Gage Park (16 miles)
- Aurora (16 miles)
- Portage Park (16 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (16 miles)
- Park Ridge (16 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (17 miles)
- East Garfield Park (17 miles)
- Des Plaines (17 miles)
- St. Charles (17 miles)
- Streamwood (17 miles)
- Irving Park (17 miles)
- Avondale (18 miles)
- West Englewood (18 miles)
- Logan Square (18 miles)
- Niles (18 miles)
- Lower West Side (18 miles)
- Crest Hill (18 miles)
- Mount Prospect (18 miles)
- New City (18 miles)
- West Town (18 miles)
- Albany Park (18 miles)
- Bridgeport (19 miles)
- Chicago (19 miles)
- Englewood (19 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (19 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (19 miles)
- South Elgin (19 miles)
- Morgan Park (20 miles)
- Oswego (20 miles)
- North Center (20 miles)
- Oak Forest (20 miles)
- Morton Grove (20 miles)
- Joliet (20 miles)
- Blue Island (20 miles)
- Tinley Park (20 miles)
- Chicago Loop (20 miles)
- Near South Side (20 miles)
- Lincoln Square (20 miles)
- Lincoln Park (20 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (20 miles)
- Douglas (20 miles)
- Near North Side (20 miles)
- New Lenox (21 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (21 miles)
- Palatine (21 miles)
- Elgin (21 miles)
- West Ridge (21 miles)
- Chatham (21 miles)
- Skokie (21 miles)
- Woodlawn (21 miles)
- Glenview (21 miles)
- Uptown (21 miles)
- Hyde Park (22 miles)
- Edgewater (22 miles)
- Wasco (22 miles)
- Rogers Park (22 miles)
- South Shore (23 miles)
- Wheeling (23 miles)
- Harvey (23 miles)
- Wilmette (23 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (24 miles)
- Dolton (24 miles)
- Northbrook (24 miles)
- South Chicago (24 miles)
- Carpentersville (25 miles)
- South Holland (25 miles)
- Highland Park (28 miles)
- Park Forest (28 miles)
- Calumet City (28 miles)
- Vernon Hills (28 miles)
- Chicago Heights (29 miles)
- Algonquin (29 miles)
- Lansing (30 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (31 miles)
- Munster (31 miles)
- East Chicago (31 miles)
- Mundelein (31 miles)
- Huntley (33 miles)
- Libertyville (33 miles)
- Crystal Lake (34 miles)
- Highland (34 miles)
- Schererville (37 miles)
- North Chicago (37 miles)
- Grayslake (37 miles)
- Gary (37 miles)
- McHenry (39 miles)
- DeKalb (39 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (39 miles)
- Gurnee (39 miles)
- Woodstock (42 miles)
- Merrillville (42 miles)
- Crown Point (43 miles)
- Hobart (43 miles)
- Zion (45 miles)