Looking forward to festive cheer in Elmhurst? Our guide has everything you need to know! For those who call Elmhurst home and those who wish they did, our guide is your key to festive fun.
Popular events during the holiday season include the delightful Christkindlmarket Aurora, where visitors can explore a charming outdoor market filled with handcrafted goods and German delicacies. The Festival of Lessons and Carols features a beautiful blend of music and storytelling, creating a serene holiday atmosphere. And the Christmas Walk is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it lights up the downtown area with holiday cheer and community spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Elmhurst
- Christkindlmarket Aurora (Aurora)
- Christmas Walk (Hinsdale)
- Festival of Lessons and Carols
- Santa’s Workshop
- Tree Lighting in Wilder Park
- Holiday Movie at the York: The Polar Express
- Ballet Legere’s Nutcracker (River Forest)
- Musical Brunch with Santa
- Holiday Cheers Market (Alton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Elmhurst Holiday Light Displays
Tree Lighting in Wilder Park
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with holiday festivities and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Join Elmhurst Park District for the Tree Lighting in Wilder Park, featuring the countdown to the lighting of community trees, holiday festivities, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy food from local trucks and explore the beautifully decorated trees.
Where: Elmhurst | More Info: Tree Lighting in Wilder Park
Elmhurst Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket Aurora
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with diverse vendors and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Christkindlmarket Aurora is a German-style outdoor market at RiverEdge Park, featuring over 55 vendors offering unique shopping, family-friendly activities, and intercultural events.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Christkindlmarket Aurora
Santa’s Workshop
What to Expect:
Inexpensive holiday gifts for kids.
Description:
Santa’s Workshop at Wilder Mansion is a special place for kids to purchase inexpensive holiday gifts for those they love, including family members and friends. Items are kid-priced and kid-friendly, making it a delightful shopping experience.
Where: Elmhurst | More Info: Santa’s Workshop
Holiday Cheers Market
What to Expect:
Diverse holiday gift shopping experience.
Description:
The Holiday Cheers Market is a recurring event featuring vendors selling items that make great gifts during the holidays. It offers a diverse selection of products, making it an ideal market for all types of vendors.
Where: Alton | More Info: Holiday Cheers Market
Elmhurst Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Festival of Lessons and Carols
What to Expect:
Spiritual celebration with nine Scriptural readings and musical performances.
Description:
The Festival of Lessons and Carols at Elmhurst University is a cherished tradition that blends Scriptural readings with musical performances, telling the story of the birth of the Messiah.
Where: Elmhurst | More Info: Festival of Lessons and Carols
Ballet Legere’s Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Ballet Légere presents a timeless rendition of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, featuring professional dancers and elaborate costumes, at the Dominican University Performing Arts Center.
Where: River Forest | More Info: Ballet Legere’s Nutcracker
Holiday Movie at the York: The Polar Express
What to Expect:
Family-friendly movie night with hot cocoa and crafts.
Description:
Join us for a family movie night featuring the all-time classic, Polar Express. Wear your favorite PJs and enjoy hot cocoa, snacks, and crafts while watching this beloved holiday film.
Where: Elmhurst | More Info: Holiday Movie at the York: The Polar Express
Musical Brunch with Santa
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with Santa.
Description:
A holiday-themed brunch event featuring Santa, where guests can indulge in festive food and drinks while enjoying the company of Santa Claus.
Where: Elmhurst | More Info: Musical Brunch with Santa
Elmhurst Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Walk
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities and free giveaways.
Description:
The Christmas Walk in Downtown Hinsdale features holiday carolers, animated characters, Santa's arrival, and a tree lighting ceremony. Merchants stay open to greet guests with free giveaways and family-friendly activities.
Where: Hinsdale | 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!
- Villa Park (3 miles)
- Addison (3 miles)
- Lombard (4 miles)
- Melrose Park (4 miles)
- Maywood (5 miles)
- Glendale Heights (6 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (7 miles)
- Downers Grove (7 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (7 miles)
- Westmont (7 miles)
- Oak Park (8 miles)
- Bloomingdale (8 miles)
- Berwyn (8 miles)
- Wheaton (9 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (9 miles)
- Park Ridge (9 miles)
- Roselle (9 miles)
- Lisle (10 miles)
- Des Plaines (10 miles)
- Portage Park (10 miles)
- Carol Stream (10 miles)
- Cicero (10 miles)
- Darien (10 miles)
- Niles (11 miles)
- Irving Park (11 miles)
- Mount Prospect (12 miles)
- North Lawndale (12 miles)
- Woodridge (12 miles)
- Avondale (12 miles)
- Albany Park (12 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (12 miles)
- East Garfield Park (12 miles)
- South Lawndale (12 miles)
- Logan Square (13 miles)
- Hanover Park (13 miles)
- Morton Grove (13 miles)
- Naperville (13 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (13 miles)
- West Chicago (14 miles)
- Brighton Park (14 miles)
- West Town (14 miles)
- Lincoln Square (14 miles)
- North Center (14 miles)
- Skokie (14 miles)
- Burbank (14 miles)
- Glenview (14 miles)
- Bartlett (14 miles)
- West Lawn (14 miles)
- Lower West Side (14 miles)
- West Ridge (14 miles)
- Gage Park (14 miles)
- Streamwood (15 miles)
- Lincoln Park (15 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (15 miles)
- Chicago (15 miles)
- Edgewater (15 miles)
- Palatine (15 miles)
- Bolingbrook (15 miles)
- Bridgeport (15 miles)
- Uptown (15 miles)
- Near North Side (16 miles)
- Ashburn (16 miles)
- Chicago Loop (16 miles)
- New City (16 miles)
- Rogers Park (16 miles)
- Oak Lawn (16 miles)
- Wilmette (16 miles)
- West Englewood (16 miles)
- Near South Side (17 miles)
- Wheeling (17 miles)
- Northbrook (17 miles)
- Douglas (17 miles)
- Englewood (17 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (17 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (18 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (18 miles)
- Geneva (19 miles)
- St. Charles (19 miles)
- Romeoville (19 miles)
- Orland Park (19 miles)
- South Elgin (19 miles)
- Hyde Park (19 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (19 miles)
- Woodlawn (19 miles)
- Batavia (19 miles)
- Elgin (20 miles)
- Chatham (20 miles)
- Morgan Park (20 miles)
- Homer Glen (21 miles)
- Highland Park (21 miles)
- South Shore (21 miles)
- Blue Island (21 miles)
- Aurora (22 miles)
- Vernon Hills (22 miles)
- Lockport (22 miles)
- Carpentersville (22 miles)
- South Chicago (23 miles)
- Oak Forest (23 miles)
- Plainfield (23 miles)
- Tinley Park (24 miles)
- Wasco (24 miles)
- Dolton (25 miles)
- Harvey (25 miles)
- Crest Hill (25 miles)
- Mundelein (25 miles)
- Algonquin (26 miles)
- Oswego (26 miles)
- Libertyville (27 miles)
- New Lenox (27 miles)
- South Holland (27 miles)
- Joliet (27 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (28 miles)
- Calumet City (29 miles)
- North Chicago (30 miles)
- Crystal Lake (30 miles)
- East Chicago (31 miles)
- Lansing (31 miles)
- Huntley (31 miles)
- Grayslake (31 miles)
- Park Forest (31 miles)
- Chicago Heights (31 miles)
- Munster (32 miles)
- Gurnee (33 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (34 miles)
- McHenry (34 miles)
- Highland (35 miles)
- Gary (37 miles)
- Zion (38 miles)
- Schererville (38 miles)
- Woodstock (39 miles)
- DeKalb (42 miles)
- Merrillville (43 miles)
- Hobart (44 miles)
- Crown Point (45 miles)