Spread the festive joy in Melrose Park! Our guide highlights all the events and activities that make this season special. Whether you're a Melrose Park local or a global nomad, our guide helps you embrace the city's holiday spirit.
One must-see event is the Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, where dazzling lights illuminate the heart of the city, creating a warm, festive atmosphere. Additionally, the Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden presents a stunning display of light installations, making it a magical experience for visitors of all ages. And the Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring breathtaking light displays that celebrate nature's beauty during the holidays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Melrose Park
- Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Chicago)
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- Santa Parade (Belleville)
- FREE Horse-drawn Trolley Rides (Belleville)
- Home for the Holidays (Melrose)
- Children's Holiday Party (Melrose)
See these and even more events listed below!
Melrose Park Holiday Light Displays
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and interactive displays.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling installations, including a 110-foot tunnel and interactive light displays, set to music and color.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of the Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular display of color, light, and sound. The event features 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter, including a secluded glade strung with fairy lights and kinetic LED tall grasses honoring Midwest native species. Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop at one of the concession tents for snacks and beverages along the Illumination trail.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum
Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Iconic tree lighting ceremony with live performances and fireworks.
Description:
The Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a cherished annual event where the city's official tree is illuminated in Millennium Park, marking the start of the holiday season. The ceremony features live performances, festivities, and fireworks, making it a significant cultural event in Chicago.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Melrose Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
FREE Horse-drawn Trolley Rides
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn trolley tour through historic downtown.
Description:
Take a leisurely ride through downtown Belleville's beautifully decorated Public Square and historic shopping district on a 26-passenger horse-drawn trolley. This free service offers a unique perspective on the city's holiday festivities.
Where: Belleville | More Info: FREE Horse-drawn Trolley Rides
Melrose Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Children's Holiday Party
What to Expect:
Live musical entertainment and Santa Claus visits.
Description:
The Children's Holiday Party at Mount Hood Clubhouse features live musical entertainment, visits with Santa Claus, and an overwhelming crowd enjoying the festively decorated clubhouse.
Where: Melrose | More Info: Children's Holiday Party
Melrose Park Other Holiday Activities
Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with free trolley rides and community events.
Description:
Home for the Holidays is a citywide holiday open house in Melrose, featuring live music, tree lighting, Santa's arrival, and festive activities throughout the weekend.
Where: Melrose | More Info: Home for the Holidays
Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois with floats, marching bands, and dance groups.
Description:
The annual Santa Parade in Downtown Belleville is a family-friendly event featuring floats, marching bands, and dance groups. It includes the annual Santa Parade from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the official Lighting of the Fountain and Holiday Sing-a-Long beginning at 6 p.m.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Santa Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Maywood (2 miles)
- Oak Park (4 miles)
- Elmhurst (4 miles)
- Berwyn (5 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (5 miles)
- Portage Park (6 miles)
- Cicero (7 miles)
- Villa Park (7 miles)
- Addison (7 miles)
- Irving Park (7 miles)
- North Lawndale (8 miles)
- Park Ridge (8 miles)
- Lombard (8 miles)
- Avondale (8 miles)
- East Garfield Park (8 miles)
- Logan Square (8 miles)
- Albany Park (8 miles)
- South Lawndale (8 miles)
- Niles (9 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (9 miles)
- Des Plaines (9 miles)
- West Town (9 miles)
- Westmont (9 miles)
- North Center (10 miles)
- Brighton Park (10 miles)
- Lincoln Square (10 miles)
- Downers Grove (10 miles)
- Lower West Side (10 miles)
- Morton Grove (10 miles)
- Glendale Heights (11 miles)
- Lincoln Park (11 miles)
- West Ridge (11 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (11 miles)
- Gage Park (11 miles)
- Skokie (11 miles)
- Chicago (11 miles)
- West Lawn (11 miles)
- Uptown (11 miles)
- Bridgeport (11 miles)
- Near North Side (11 miles)
- Edgewater (11 miles)
- Chicago Loop (12 miles)
- Darien (12 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (12 miles)
- New City (12 miles)
- Bloomingdale (12 miles)
- Mount Prospect (12 miles)
- Burbank (12 miles)
- Glenview (12 miles)
- Rogers Park (12 miles)
- Near South Side (12 miles)
- Roselle (13 miles)
- West Englewood (13 miles)
- Ashburn (13 miles)
- Wheaton (13 miles)
- Douglas (13 miles)
- Lisle (13 miles)
- Englewood (14 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (14 miles)
- Wilmette (14 miles)
- Oak Lawn (14 miles)
- Carol Stream (14 miles)
- Woodridge (15 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (15 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (15 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (15 miles)
- Hyde Park (15 miles)
- Woodlawn (16 miles)
- Northbrook (16 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (16 miles)
- Hanover Park (16 miles)
- Chatham (17 miles)
- Wheeling (17 miles)
- Naperville (17 miles)
- Palatine (17 miles)
- South Shore (17 miles)
- Morgan Park (18 miles)
- Bolingbrook (18 miles)
- West Chicago (18 miles)
- Bartlett (18 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (18 miles)
- Streamwood (19 miles)
- Orland Park (19 miles)
- Blue Island (19 miles)
- South Chicago (19 miles)
- Highland Park (20 miles)
- Homer Glen (21 miles)
- Romeoville (21 miles)
- Oak Forest (21 miles)
- Dolton (22 miles)
- Harvey (23 miles)
- Tinley Park (23 miles)
- Vernon Hills (23 miles)
- Geneva (23 miles)
- St. Charles (23 miles)
- South Elgin (23 miles)
- Batavia (24 miles)
- Elgin (24 miles)
- Lockport (24 miles)
- South Holland (24 miles)
- Carpentersville (26 miles)
- Aurora (26 miles)
- Calumet City (26 miles)
- Plainfield (26 miles)
- Mundelein (26 miles)
- Libertyville (27 miles)
- Crest Hill (27 miles)
- New Lenox (27 miles)
- East Chicago (27 miles)
- Wasco (28 miles)
- Lansing (28 miles)
- Joliet (28 miles)
- Algonquin (29 miles)
- Munster (29 miles)
- North Chicago (29 miles)
- Chicago Heights (30 miles)
- Oswego (30 miles)
- Park Forest (30 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (31 miles)
- Highland (32 miles)
- Grayslake (32 miles)
- Gurnee (33 miles)
- Crystal Lake (33 miles)
- Gary (34 miles)
- Huntley (35 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (35 miles)
- Schererville (36 miles)
- McHenry (37 miles)
- Zion (38 miles)
- Merrillville (40 miles)
- Hobart (40 miles)
- Portage (42 miles)
- Woodstock (42 miles)
- Crown Point (42 miles)