Experience the best of Highland during the holidays with our event guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this guide showcases the festive magic of Highland.
A true highlight of the season is the Charlestown Festival of Lights, where twinkling displays light up the night sky, creating enchanting scenes for all ages. Alongside this, the Winona Lake Christmas Lights captivates with its unique drive-through experience, allowing families to enjoy the show from the comfort of their vehicles. And the La Porte Winter Wonderland is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring delightful activities that engage visitors of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Highland
- Charlestown Festival of Lights (Charlestown)
- La Porte Winter Wonderland (La Porte)
- Winona Lake Christmas Lights (Winona Lake)
- “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit (Hammond)
- Hammond Holiday Parade (Hammond)
- Fair Oaks Farms Holiday Light Display (Fair Oaks)
See these and even more events listed below!
Highland Holiday Light Displays
Charlestown Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Animated light shows and live reindeer events.
Description:
The Charlestown Festival of Lights features a 55-foot tree, animated light shows, and festive activities like mini-golf and character visits. Enjoy holiday music, food trucks, and the flipping of the light switch at Greenway Park, City Square, and Family Activities Park.
Where: Charlestown | More Info: Charlestown Festival of Lights
Winona Lake Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities and toy donation drive.
Description:
The Winona Lake Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event featuring toys for tots collection, kids' ornament making, train rides, and Christmas carolers. Free cookies and hot chocolate are provided, culminating in a tree lighting ceremony at 6:15 PM.
Where: Winona Lake | More Info: Winona Lake Christmas Lights
Fair Oaks Farms Holiday Light Display
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays with interactive scenes and Santa appearances.
Description:
Fair Oaks Farms transforms its Nature Trail into a dazzling display of holiday lights with changing scenes celebrating nature's sky, land, and water. Enjoy beautiful lighted tractors, s'mores roasted by bonfires, hot cocoa, and adult beverages at the Forest Pub. New programming this year features Santa appearances on select Sundays.
Where: Fair Oaks | More Info: Fair Oaks Farms Holiday Light Display
Highland Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hammond Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
High school marching bands and a Santa Sprint Fun Run.
Description:
The Hammond Holiday Parade is a festive event featuring high school marching bands, kids' characters, and a Grand Marshal from Towle Theater. The parade starts at Gavit High School and ends at the Hammond Sportsplex, with a Santa Sprint Fun Run before the main event.
Where: Hammond | More Info: Hammond Holiday Parade
Highland Other Holiday Activities
La Porte Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Join the Washington Park Zoo for their 2nd annual Wild Winterland Day, where guests can meet education ambassadors like armadillos, corn snakes, and hedgehogs. Enjoy Keeper Chats, hot cocoa, and browse through the Treehouse Giftshop for unique gifts. Admission is reduced, and some tropical species will not be exhibited.
Where: La Porte | More Info: La Porte Winter Wonderland
“A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit
What to Expect:
Interactive animatronic window displays from Macy's Department Store.
Description:
The "A Christmas Story" Comes Home exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond features six animatronic window displays from Macy's Department Store in New York, showcasing scenes from the holiday classic. The exhibit is based on Jean Shepherd's book "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," which is a compilation of his childhood experiences in Hammond, Indiana. Visitors can also enjoy Santa photos, special events, and a gift shop with festive items.
Where: Hammond | More Info: “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Munster (3 miles)
- Lansing (5 miles)
- Schererville (5 miles)
- Calumet City (6 miles)
- East Chicago (6 miles)
- Gary (6 miles)
- Merrillville (8 miles)
- South Holland (9 miles)
- Dolton (10 miles)
- Chicago Heights (10 miles)
- Hobart (10 miles)
- Crown Point (10 miles)
- Harvey (11 miles)
- Park Forest (12 miles)
- Blue Island (14 miles)
- South Chicago (14 miles)
- Portage (14 miles)
- Morgan Park (15 miles)
- Chatham (15 miles)
- Oak Forest (15 miles)
- South Shore (16 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (17 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (17 miles)
- Tinley Park (17 miles)
- Woodlawn (17 miles)
- Hyde Park (18 miles)
- Englewood (19 miles)
- Ashburn (19 miles)
- West Englewood (19 miles)
- Oak Lawn (19 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (20 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (20 miles)
- New City (20 miles)
- West Lawn (21 miles)
- Gage Park (21 miles)
- Valparaiso (21 miles)
- Burbank (21 miles)
- Douglas (21 miles)
- Orland Park (21 miles)
- Bridgeport (22 miles)
- Brighton Park (22 miles)
- Near South Side (23 miles)
- Chicago (23 miles)
- Lower West Side (24 miles)
- South Lawndale (24 miles)
- Chicago Loop (25 miles)
- North Lawndale (25 miles)
- Homer Glen (25 miles)
- Cicero (25 miles)
- Near North Side (26 miles)
- East Garfield Park (26 miles)
- West Town (26 miles)
- New Lenox (27 miles)
- Berwyn (27 miles)
- Lincoln Park (27 miles)
- Logan Square (29 miles)
- Oak Park (29 miles)
- Avondale (30 miles)
- North Center (30 miles)
- Maywood (30 miles)
- Darien (30 miles)
- Uptown (30 miles)
- Michigan City (31 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (31 miles)
- Irving Park (31 miles)
- Lockport (31 miles)
- Lincoln Square (32 miles)
- Edgewater (32 miles)
- Melrose Park (32 miles)
- Westmont (32 miles)
- Albany Park (32 miles)
- Portage Park (32 miles)
- Joliet (33 miles)
- West Ridge (33 miles)
- Rogers Park (33 miles)
- Bolingbrook (33 miles)
- Crest Hill (33 miles)
- Romeoville (34 miles)
- Woodridge (34 miles)
- Downers Grove (34 miles)
- Elmhurst (35 miles)
- Villa Park (36 miles)
- Skokie (36 miles)
- Lisle (36 miles)
- Lombard (36 miles)
- Kankakee (37 miles)
- Niles (37 miles)
- Park Ridge (37 miles)
- Morton Grove (38 miles)
- LaPorte (38 miles)
- Addison (38 miles)
- La Porte (38 miles)
- Wilmette (38 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (39 miles)
- Plainfield (39 miles)
- Naperville (39 miles)
- Glenview (40 miles)
- Des Plaines (40 miles)
- Wheaton (40 miles)
- Glendale Heights (40 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (41 miles)
- Bloomingdale (43 miles)
- Carol Stream (43 miles)
- Mount Prospect (43 miles)
- Roselle (44 miles)
- Northbrook (44 miles)