The festive season is upon us, Hanover Park! Explore our guide for all the must-see holiday attractions. From Hanover Park natives to wandering souls, our guide is your key to holiday magic.
Popular Events: Step aboard the enchanting Santa Express Train, where families can enjoy a delightful ride filled with holiday cheer and visits from Santa himself. Experience the charm of the Polar Express at the Fox River Trolley Museum, where twinkling lights and hot cocoa create a winter wonderland atmosphere. And don't forget the Happy Holiday Railway at the Illinois Railway Museum, a captivating event that offers a chance to ride beautifully decorated trains. Check out the rest of the page for more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Hanover Park
- Happy Holiday Railway at the Illinois Railway Museum (Union)
- Fox River Trolley Museum Polar Express (South Elgin)
- Santa Express Train (Wheaton)
- Maggiano's Oak Brook Breakfast with Santa (Oak Brook)
- Maggiano's Schaumburg Breakfast with Santa (Schaumburg)
- Skokie North Pole Express (Skokie)
- Trunk or Treat
- Santa Arrives by Helicopter at Winston Plaza 2024 (Melrose Park)
- Santa Lands By Helicopter at Stratford Crossing (West Chicago)
- Dia De Los Muertos Dance
See these and even more events listed below!
Hanover Park Holiday Light Displays
Happy Holiday Railway at the Illinois Railway Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with Santa and animated light displays.
Description:
Take a 40-minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus. Enjoy treats and hot chocolate while seeing holiday lights and an animated light show. Historic trains and Chicago streetcars are also part of the experience.
Where: Union | More Info: Happy Holiday Railway at the Illinois Railway Museum
Hanover Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Santa Lands By Helicopter at Stratford Crossing
What to Expect:
Santa arrives by helicopter for a festive holiday event.
Description:
Join Santa at Stratford Crossing in Bloomingdale, IL, for a holiday celebration featuring magic shows, face painting, balloon artists, kids' crafts, and free giveaways.
Where: West Chicago | More Info: Santa Lands By Helicopter at Stratford Crossing
Fox River Trolley Museum Polar Express
What to Expect:
Unique trolley car experience with Santa visit and caroling.
Description:
The Fox River Trolley Museum Polar Express brings Chris Van Allsburg's book to life with a train ride featuring a reading of the famous Polar Express book, live performances of scenes from the book and movie, a visit from Santa at the North Pole, and Christmas carol sing-alongs. All riders enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while riding along the beautiful Fox River in a restored trolley car.
Where: South Elgin | More Info: Fox River Trolley Museum Polar Express
Hanover Park Other Holiday Activities
Trunk or Treat
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks.
Description:
Join us for a night of Halloween fun at Hanover Park Park District's annual Trunk or Treat event. Trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks, enter our costume contest, and enjoy treats from food trucks in a spooky atmosphere.
Where: Hanover Park | More Info: Trunk or Treat
Kids Halloween Craft Party
What to Expect:
Spooky craft stations for kids.
Description:
The Kids Halloween Craft Party at the Hanover Park Park District Community Center offers a variety of Halloween-themed craft stations where children can create spooky masterpieces and get into the Halloween spirit. This event is perfect for kids of all ages and skill levels, providing a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and enjoy some creative fun.
Where: Hanover Park | More Info: Kids Halloween Craft Party
Dia De Los Muertos Dance
What to Expect:
Vibrant celebration of Mexican heritage and remembrance.
Description:
Immerse yourself in rich traditions of Dia De Los Muertos with colorful decorations and engaging activities for your entire family.
Where: Hanover Park | More Info: Dia De Los Muertos Dance
Tree Lighting - Village of Hanover Park
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting ceremony with festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Tree Lighting event in the Village of Hanover Park is a community gathering where residents come together to celebrate the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony at Ontarioville Plaza.
Where: Hanover Park | More Info: Tree Lighting - Village of Hanover Park
‘Tis the Season - HPPD
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday event with interactive activities.
Description:
Join us for a holiday celebration at the Hanover Park Community Center, featuring activities and decorations that bring the community together.
Where: Hanover Park | More Info: ‘Tis the Season - HPPD
Family Valentines Photo - HPPD
What to Expect:
Free family photo opportunity with festive backdrop.
Description:
Capture memories with your loved ones at the Family Valentines Photo event, where you can take free photos in a festive setting.
Where: Hanover Park | More Info: Family Valentines Photo - HPPD
Santa Arrives by Helicopter at Winston Plaza 2024
What to Expect:
Santa arrives by helicopter for a festive family event.
Description:
Join Santa at Winston Plaza for a fun-filled holiday event featuring a magic show, face painting, kids crafts, and a free photo opportunity with Santa. Santa lands via helicopter at noon sharp, making this a memorable experience for families.
Where: Melrose Park | More Info: Santa Arrives by Helicopter at Winston Plaza 2024
Maggiano's Schaumburg Breakfast with Santa
What to Expect:
Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa in a cozy Italian-American setting.
Description:
Join Maggiano's Schaumburg for a delightful breakfast with Santa, featuring delicious Italian-American dishes and a special visit from the jolly old elf.
Where: Schaumburg | More Info: Maggiano's Schaumburg Breakfast with Santa
Maggiano's Oak Brook Breakfast with Santa
What to Expect:
Interactive breakfast event with Santa Claus and cookie decorating.
Description:
Join Maggiano's Little Italy in Oak Brook for a special breakfast event featuring a full buffet, pictures with Santa Claus, and cookie decorating. Enjoy assorted pastries, muffins, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, and more.
Where: Oak Brook | More Info: Maggiano's Oak Brook Breakfast with Santa
Santa Express Train
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Join the DuPage County Historical Museum for a special train ride departing from Wheaton Train Station. Each paid child receives a small gift from Santa and a goody bag. The event includes holiday music, storytelling, and treats. All participants must have a ticket unless under 1 year old.
Where: Wheaton | More Info: Santa Express Train
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 journey includes reading aloud "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg and singing holiday carols. Santa Claus joins the train upon arrival at Fox Lake to visit with every child, and drinks and snacks are offered.
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!
- Bartlett (2 miles)
- Streamwood (2 miles)
- Roselle (4 miles)
- Bloomingdale (4 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (4 miles)
- Carol Stream (6 miles)
- Glendale Heights (7 miles)
- Elgin (7 miles)
- South Elgin (8 miles)
- West Chicago (8 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (9 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (9 miles)
- Addison (9 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (9 miles)
- Wheaton (9 miles)
- Palatine (10 miles)
- Carpentersville (10 miles)
- St. Charles (10 miles)
- Lombard (11 miles)
- Villa Park (11 miles)
- Geneva (11 miles)
- Mount Prospect (12 miles)
- Elmhurst (13 miles)
- Batavia (13 miles)
- Des Plaines (14 miles)
- Algonquin (14 miles)
- Wasco (14 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (14 miles)
- Lisle (14 miles)
- Wheeling (15 miles)
- Naperville (15 miles)
- Downers Grove (15 miles)
- Park Ridge (16 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (16 miles)
- Melrose Park (16 miles)
- Westmont (17 miles)
- Vernon Hills (17 miles)
- Maywood (18 miles)
- Niles (18 miles)
- Woodridge (18 miles)
- Northbrook (18 miles)
- Huntley (19 miles)
- Aurora (19 miles)
- Morton Grove (19 miles)
- Crystal Lake (19 miles)
- Glenview (19 miles)
- Darien (19 miles)
- Mundelein (20 miles)
- Portage Park (20 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (20 miles)
- Oak Park (20 miles)
- Berwyn (21 miles)
- Bolingbrook (21 miles)
- Irving Park (21 miles)
- Skokie (21 miles)
- Highland Park (22 miles)
- Albany Park (22 miles)
- Libertyville (22 miles)
- Wilmette (22 miles)
- Avondale (23 miles)
- Cicero (23 miles)
- West Ridge (23 miles)
- Lincoln Square (23 miles)
- Logan Square (24 miles)
- McHenry (24 miles)
- North Lawndale (24 miles)
- North Center (24 miles)
- East Garfield Park (24 miles)
- Oswego (24 miles)
- Grayslake (24 miles)
- Romeoville (24 miles)
- Rogers Park (25 miles)
- South Lawndale (25 miles)
- Edgewater (25 miles)
- West Town (25 miles)
- Uptown (25 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (26 miles)
- Plainfield (26 miles)
- Lincoln Park (26 miles)
- Brighton Park (26 miles)
- Burbank (26 miles)
- Lower West Side (27 miles)
- Woodstock (27 miles)
- West Lawn (27 miles)
- Gage Park (27 miles)
- Near North Side (27 miles)
- North Chicago (27 miles)
- Chicago (27 miles)
- Chicago Loop (27 miles)
- Bridgeport (28 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (28 miles)
- Oak Lawn (28 miles)
- Ashburn (28 miles)
- New City (28 miles)
- Gurnee (28 miles)
- Near South Side (29 miles)
- Lockport (29 miles)
- West Englewood (29 miles)
- Douglas (29 miles)
- Homer Glen (30 miles)
- Orland Park (30 miles)
- Englewood (30 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (30 miles)
- Crest Hill (31 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (31 miles)
- DeKalb (31 miles)
- Hyde Park (32 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (32 miles)
- Woodlawn (32 miles)
- Morgan Park (33 miles)
- Chatham (33 miles)
- Joliet (33 miles)
- South Shore (33 miles)
- Blue Island (34 miles)
- Oak Forest (34 miles)
- Zion (35 miles)
- Tinley Park (35 miles)
- New Lenox (35 miles)
- South Chicago (35 miles)
- Harvey (37 miles)
- Dolton (37 miles)
- South Holland (39 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (40 miles)
- Belvidere (40 miles)
- Calumet City (41 miles)
- Park Forest (43 miles)
- Chicago Heights (43 miles)
- Lansing (43 miles)
- East Chicago (43 miles)
- Kenosha (44 miles)
- Munster (44 miles)