Excited for the holidays in Palatine? Our guide has all the events you need to know! Whether you're a Palatine expert or a novice, this guide unlocks the city's festive secrets.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where luminous displays illuminate the winter nights. Another noteworthy experience is Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, showcasing thrilling rides and festive activities perfect for all ages. And the Wonderland Express offers a delightful train journey through a holiday-themed landscape that adds charm to the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Palatine
- Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Wonderland Express & Lightscape (Glencoe)
- Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Galena Cellars Nouveau Weekend (Galena)
- Lunch with Santa on the Train (Monticello)
- Caroling at the Carillon (Springfield)
- Christmas Lights Trolley Tour (Utica)
- Palatine Fall Craft Fair
- Palatine Craft Fair
- Holidays on the Town
See these and even more events listed below!
Palatine Holiday Light Displays
Wonderland Express & Lightscape
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light show with art and sound installations.
Description:
Explore the Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape, a holiday exhibition featuring a mile-long path of detailed, curated art experiences with light, sound, and natural beauty.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Wonderland Express & Lightscape
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and immersive art experience.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling light installations, art, and music, transforming the garden into a vibrant winter spectacle.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays and an outdoor ice-skating rink.
Description:
Light Up The Lake is the largest indoor and outdoor holiday experience in Chicago, featuring dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, and cozy firepits.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
What to Expect:
Illuminated trolley tour through historic Starved Rock.
Description:
A trolley tour showcasing the festive lights and decorations of the Starved Rock area, offering a scenic and illuminated experience.
Where: Utica | More Info: Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
Palatine Holiday Markets and Shopping
Palatine Fall Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Large variety of holiday gifts and local vendors.
Description:
The Palatine Fall Craft Fair at Palatine High School features over 140 vendors offering a wide range of holiday gifts, home decor, jewelry, spices, and more, including items for furry friends. Food and snacks are available for purchase.
Where: Palatine | More Info: Palatine Fall Craft Fair
Palatine Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Extensive selection of holiday gifts and local vendors.
Description:
The Palatine Craft Fair, presented by the PHS Pirate Boosters, features over 140 vendors offering a wide variety of holiday gifts, home decor, jewelry, spices, and more. The event includes food and snacks available for purchase, making it a comprehensive shopping experience.
Where: Palatine | More Info: Palatine Craft Fair
Holidays on the Town
What to Expect:
Community-driven shopping event with exclusive deals and local business support.
Description:
Holidays on the Town is an annual event in Palatine that celebrates local businesses and community spirit with a variety of activities and promotions.
Where: Palatine | More Info: Holidays on the Town
Palatine Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Caroling at the Carillon
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with caroling and festive activities.
Description:
Gather around a roaring bonfire to sing Christmas carols accompanied by the beautiful music of the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon. The Trinity Wind Ensemble will provide interludes during the caroling, and family-friendly activities include crafts, photo ops, and visits with Santa. Complimentary snacks and drinks are available.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Caroling at the Carillon
Palatine Other Holiday Activities
Galena Cellars Nouveau Weekend
What to Expect:
Annual release of Le Beaujolais Nouveau with a festive parade and wine tastings.
Description:
Galena Cellars Nouveau Weekend is a community celebration centered around the release of Le Beaujolais Nouveau. The event features a parade, live music, wine tastings, and traditional French-inspired luncheons. Revelers assemble for a trek down Galena's Main Street in assorted modes of transportation, and local restaurants and businesses continue the celebration with dinner specials and receptions.
Where: Galena | More Info: Galena Cellars Nouveau Weekend
Lunch with Santa on the Train
What to Expect:
Individual Santa visits and kid-friendly meal options.
Description:
Join us for a holiday favorite where kids of all ages can enjoy a train ride, individual visit with Santa, and a kid-friendly sack lunch. The event includes a Deluxe Dining Car experience with a turkey sandwich, chips, cookie, water, commemorative keepsake, and a digital photo with Santa.
Where: Monticello | More Info: Lunch with Santa on the Train
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Rolling Meadows (2 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (5 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (5 miles)
- Wheeling (6 miles)
- Mount Prospect (6 miles)
- Vernon Hills (8 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (8 miles)
- Roselle (9 miles)
- Des Plaines (9 miles)
- Streamwood (9 miles)
- Hanover Park (10 miles)
- Northbrook (11 miles)
- Mundelein (11 miles)
- Bloomingdale (11 miles)
- Bartlett (11 miles)
- Carpentersville (11 miles)
- Park Ridge (12 miles)
- Addison (13 miles)
- Libertyville (13 miles)
- Glenview (13 miles)
- Highland Park (13 miles)
- Niles (13 miles)
- Glendale Heights (14 miles)
- Elgin (14 miles)
- Morton Grove (14 miles)
- Algonquin (14 miles)
- Carol Stream (15 miles)
- Elmhurst (15 miles)
- Villa Park (15 miles)
- South Elgin (15 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (16 miles)
- Lombard (16 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (16 miles)
- Wilmette (16 miles)
- Grayslake (16 miles)
- Skokie (16 miles)
- Crystal Lake (17 miles)
- Melrose Park (17 miles)
- Wheaton (17 miles)
- Portage Park (17 miles)
- West Chicago (18 miles)
- North Chicago (18 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (18 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (18 miles)
- Albany Park (19 miles)
- Irving Park (19 miles)
- Maywood (19 miles)
- West Ridge (19 miles)
- Gurnee (19 miles)
- McHenry (19 miles)
- St. Charles (20 miles)
- Lincoln Square (20 miles)
- Rogers Park (20 miles)
- Oak Park (20 miles)
- Avondale (20 miles)
- Huntley (21 miles)
- Geneva (21 miles)
- Downers Grove (21 miles)
- Edgewater (21 miles)
- North Center (21 miles)
- Lisle (21 miles)
- Logan Square (22 miles)
- Berwyn (22 miles)
- Westmont (22 miles)
- Uptown (22 miles)
- Wasco (22 miles)
- Batavia (23 miles)
- Naperville (23 miles)
- East Garfield Park (23 miles)
- Cicero (23 miles)
- North Lawndale (24 miles)
- Lincoln Park (24 miles)
- West Town (24 miles)
- South Lawndale (25 miles)
- Darien (25 miles)
- Woodridge (25 miles)
- Near North Side (25 miles)
- Zion (25 miles)
- Woodstock (25 miles)
- Chicago Loop (26 miles)
- Lower West Side (26 miles)
- Brighton Park (26 miles)
- Chicago (27 miles)
- Bridgeport (27 miles)
- Near South Side (27 miles)
- Gage Park (28 miles)
- Aurora (28 miles)
- West Lawn (28 miles)
- Bolingbrook (28 miles)
- New City (29 miles)
- Douglas (29 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (29 miles)
- Burbank (29 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (30 miles)
- West Englewood (30 miles)
- Ashburn (30 miles)
- Englewood (30 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (31 miles)
- Oak Lawn (31 miles)
- Hyde Park (31 miles)
- Woodlawn (32 miles)
- Romeoville (32 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (32 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (32 miles)
- Chatham (33 miles)
- South Shore (34 miles)
- Oswego (34 miles)
- Orland Park (34 miles)
- Plainfield (35 miles)
- Kenosha (35 miles)
- Morgan Park (35 miles)
- South Chicago (36 miles)
- Homer Glen (36 miles)
- Lockport (36 miles)
- Blue Island (36 miles)
- Oak Forest (38 miles)
- Crest Hill (39 miles)
- DeKalb (39 miles)
- Tinley Park (39 miles)
- Dolton (39 miles)
- Harvey (40 miles)
- Joliet (41 miles)
- New Lenox (41 miles)
- South Holland (42 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (42 miles)
- Belvidere (43 miles)
- Calumet City (43 miles)
- East Chicago (44 miles)