Celebrate the holidays in McHenry with our expert event guide. Whether you're deeply connected to McHenry or just making connections, this guide illuminates your holiday path.
Popular events include the Downtown Holiday Walk, a festive celebration that transforms Main Street into a winter wonderland filled with local shops and holiday cheer. The Festival of Trees showcases beautifully decorated trees that highlight the artistic spirit of our community. And the Living Windows & Cocoa Crawl is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it brings storefronts to life with enchanting displays while you enjoy warm cocoa. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around McHenry
- Downtown Holiday Walk
- Living Windows & Cocoa Crawl
- Festival of Trees
- Polar Express Pub Crawl
- A Country Christmas Arts & Craft Show
- Holiday & Seasonal at The Quarry Cable Park & Grille (Crystal Lake)
- Options and Advocacy's 30th Anniversary Masquerade Ball
- United for Veterans Annual Gala Fundraiser (Crystal Lake)
See these and even more events listed below!
McHenry Holiday Markets and Shopping
A Country Christmas Arts & Craft Show
What to Expect:
Largest indoor arts and craft show in McHenry County.
Description:
The 49th Annual A Country Christmas Arts & Craft Show is McHenry County's largest indoor arts and craft show, featuring local artisans from around the country, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The event offers a variety of handmade items, raffles, and door prizes. It takes place at Crystal Lake South High School, located at 1200 S McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
Where: McHenry | More Info: A Country Christmas Arts & Craft Show
Holiday & Seasonal at The Quarry Cable Park & Grille
What to Expect:
Sip and shop with elevated vendors and festive activities.
Description:
The 7th Annual Quarry Merry Market at The Quarry Cable Park & Grille features 40 elevated vendors, festive decor, a hot cocoa bar, fun cocktails, and lite bites. Enjoy the event on Friday, November 8, from 3p-8p, and Saturday, November 9, from 10a-3p.
Where: Crystal Lake | More Info: Holiday & Seasonal at The Quarry Cable Park & Grille
McHenry Holiday Shows and Entertainment
United for Veterans Annual Gala Fundraiser
What to Expect:
Elegant masquerade ball celebrating veterans.
Description:
Join us for an unforgettable evening of elegance and impact as we celebrate our veterans. Enjoy live entertainment, networking opportunities, and a masquerade ball atmosphere.
Where: Crystal Lake | More Info: United for Veterans Annual Gala Fundraiser
McHenry Other Holiday Activities
Downtown Holiday Walk
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn sleigh rides and festive window displays.
Description:
Downtown McHenry's holiday celebration features horse-drawn sleigh rides, Santa visits, and twinkling lights. Local businesses showcase festive window displays and offer hot cocoa samples. The event includes a scavenger hunt, letters to Santa, and a Polar Express-themed pub crawl.
Where: McHenry | More Info: Downtown Holiday Walk
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Unique tree decorations by local businesses and civic organizations.
Description:
Beautifully decorated trees sponsored by local businesses and civic organizations will be on display at the McHenry Recreation Center. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree by bringing canned non-perishable food or toiletries to place beneath the tree.
Where: McHenry | More Info: Festival of Trees
Living Windows & Cocoa Crawl
What to Expect:
Live mannequins recreate holiday scenes in downtown store windows.
Description:
Live mannequins recreate holiday scenes in downtown store windows, paired with a Cocoa Crawl featuring festive drinks and treats.
Where: McHenry | More Info: Living Windows & Cocoa Crawl
Polar Express Pub Crawl
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed pub crawl with free trolley service.
Description:
Join the Polar Express Pub Crawl in McHenry, where participants dress in holiday pajamas and enjoy fun drink specials at various locations. A free trolley runs between stops, and all participants are entered into a raffle for exciting prizes.
Where: McHenry | More Info: Polar Express Pub Crawl
Options and Advocacy's 30th Anniversary Masquerade Ball
What to Expect:
Elegant dining and live music by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos.
Description:
Join Options and Advocacy for a night of dinner, drinks, and dancing to celebrate their 30th anniversary. The event will feature live music by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos and a thrilling auction, all benefiting their ongoing programs and initiatives.
Where: McHenry | More Info: Options and Advocacy's 30th Anniversary Masquerade Ball
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Crystal Lake (7 miles)
- Woodstock (9 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (9 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (11 miles)
- Grayslake (12 miles)
- Algonquin (12 miles)
- Huntley (14 miles)
- Mundelein (14 miles)
- Carpentersville (15 miles)
- Libertyville (16 miles)
- Vernon Hills (17 miles)
- Gurnee (19 miles)
- Palatine (19 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (20 miles)
- Elgin (20 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (22 miles)
- Streamwood (22 miles)
- North Chicago (22 miles)
- Wheeling (22 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (22 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (23 miles)
- South Elgin (23 miles)
- Zion (23 miles)
- Bartlett (24 miles)
- Hanover Park (24 miles)
- Mount Prospect (25 miles)
- Roselle (26 miles)
- Highland Park (26 miles)
- Northbrook (27 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (27 miles)
- Bloomingdale (28 miles)
- Wasco (28 miles)
- Des Plaines (29 miles)
- Kenosha (29 miles)
- St. Charles (29 miles)
- Carol Stream (30 miles)
- Belvidere (30 miles)
- Glenview (31 miles)
- Glendale Heights (31 miles)
- Geneva (31 miles)
- West Chicago (31 miles)
- Park Ridge (31 miles)
- Addison (31 miles)
- Morton Grove (32 miles)
- Niles (32 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (33 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (33 miles)
- Wilmette (33 miles)
- Wheaton (33 miles)
- Batavia (33 miles)
- Villa Park (34 miles)
- Lombard (34 miles)
- Skokie (34 miles)
- Elmhurst (34 miles)
- Portage Park (37 miles)
- Melrose Park (37 miles)
- Caledonia (37 miles)
- DeKalb (37 miles)
- West Ridge (37 miles)
- Albany Park (38 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (38 miles)
- Irving Park (38 miles)
- Rogers Park (38 miles)
- Lisle (38 miles)
- Maywood (38 miles)
- Naperville (38 miles)
- Downers Grove (39 miles)
- Lincoln Square (39 miles)
- Edgewater (39 miles)
- Avondale (39 miles)
- Machesney Park (39 miles)
- Oak Park (40 miles)
- Aurora (40 miles)
- North Center (40 miles)
- Westmont (40 miles)
- Franklin (40 miles)
- Muskego (40 miles)
- Uptown (40 miles)
- Loves Park (40 miles)
- Logan Square (41 miles)
- Beloit (41 miles)
- Berwyn (41 miles)
- Woodridge (42 miles)
- Rockford (42 miles)
- East Garfield Park (43 miles)
- Lincoln Park (43 miles)
- Cicero (43 miles)
- Darien (43 miles)
- West Town (43 miles)
- North Lawndale (43 miles)
- Oak Creek (43 miles)
- Near North Side (44 miles)
- South Lawndale (44 miles)
- South Milwaukee (45 miles)
- Chicago Loop (45 miles)