Embark on a holiday adventure in Rockford! Discover all the exciting festive events with our guide. For both Rockford locals and visitors, our guide is the ultimate resource for holiday activities.
One of the standout experiences this season is the Stroll on State, where the streets come alive with holiday cheer, featuring local vendors and festive displays. Another inviting attraction is the Festival of Lights, showcasing breathtaking light installations throughout the city. And the All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its enchanting displays of seasonal flora and twinkling lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Rockford
- Stroll on State
- Festival of Lights
- All Aglow - Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
- Light up the Parks (Loves Park)
- Illuminated - Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Williams Tree Farm (Rockton)
- Christmas at the Farm
- Rockford River Lights
- Rockford IceHogs Hockey Team
- Carlson Ice Arena
See these and even more events listed below!
Rockford Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Free drive-through holiday light display with community involvement.
Description:
The Festival of Lights is a free drive-through holiday event featuring over 85 displays of lights at Sinnissippi Park in Rockford, Illinois. The event is completely funded by donations and sponsorships, showcasing the community's dedication to bringing a wonderful holiday display year after year.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Festival of Lights
All Aglow - Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
What to Expect:
300,000 hand-made lights in the outdoor gardens.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens with a spectacular display of 300,000 sparkling lights, including elegant illuminated stars and 50 jumbo lighted candy canes hand-made by Conservatory staff.
Where: Rockford | More Info: All Aglow - Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Illuminated - Anderson Japanese Gardens
What to Expect:
Dramatic lighting and fireside dining amidst a beautifully illuminated Japanese garden.
Description:
Anderson Japanese Gardens presents Illuminated, a wintertime lights experience featuring dramatic up-lighting and thousands of white string lights woven throughout the landscape and canopy. Enjoy made-to-order Woodfire Pizza and a rotating schedule of food trucks available nightly, along with fireside dining and beverage service inside the visitor’s center.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Illuminated - Anderson Japanese Gardens
Rockford River Lights
What to Expect:
Free drive-through holiday light display with community involvement.
Description:
The Rockford Festival of Lights is a free drive-through holiday light display at Sinnissippi Park, featuring over 85 displays and a tradition since 1989.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Rockford River Lights
Rockford Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas at the Farm
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with a mix of indoor and outdoor vendors.
Description:
Christmas at the Farm is a premier holiday shopping market featuring over 35 vendors offering vintage and new seasonal gifts, live holiday music, and festive cocktails. The event includes food trucks, a bonfire bar, and free parking.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Christmas at the Farm
Rockford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Stroll on State
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a variety of festive activities.
Description:
Stroll on State is a free community event in downtown Rockford featuring a parade, fireworks, tree lighting, musical performances, and surprise visits from Santa.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Stroll on State
Meg's Daily Grind
What to Expect:
Live music and gourmet coffee in a serene garden setting.
Description:
Meg's Daily Grind offers a cozy pop-up coffee shop experience at Anderson Japanese Gardens, featuring live music by local and Rockford Symphony musicians, light lunch options, and pastries from their menu favorites.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Meg's Daily Grind
Rockford Other Holiday Activities
Light up the Parks
What to Expect:
Community-wide holiday celebration with fireworks, Christmas tree lightings, and a festive parade.
Description:
Join the community in Loves Park and Machesney Park for a holiday celebration featuring a fireworks display, two Christmas tree lightings, and an exciting parade with cool floats and candy. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be present, and treats will be provided by a local church.
Where: Loves Park | More Info: Light up the Parks
Williams Tree Farm
What to Expect:
Choose-and-cut tree selection experience.
Description:
Williams Tree Farm is a choose-and-cut farm offering over 300 acres of fields to find the perfect tree, creating lasting family memories for over 75 years. Office hours are 10AM to 5PM, and appointments can be scheduled for wedding and event tours.
Where: Rockton | More Info: Williams Tree Farm
Carlson Ice Arena
What to Expect:
Year-round ice skating and hockey lessons for all skill levels.
Description:
Carlson Ice Arena offers public skating sessions, lesson programs, and hockey leagues, making it a great place for families to enjoy ice activities together.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Carlson Ice Arena
Rockford IceHogs Hockey Team
What to Expect:
Young and talented roster with high-draft picks.
Description:
The Rockford IceHogs are a professional ice hockey team affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks, competing in the American Hockey League. The team features a diverse roster of young and experienced players, including several high-draft picks from recent Blackhawks drafts. Their games are known for high-energy performances and competitive matches.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Rockford IceHogs Hockey Team
Rocktown Adventures Snowshoeing
What to Expect:
Guided snowshoeing with expert staff.
Description:
Rocktown Adventures offers snowshoeing experiences with top-line equipment and expert staff, perfect for exploring winter landscapes.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Rocktown Adventures Snowshoeing
Snow Park at Alpine Hills
What to Expect:
Unique snow sports experience with made-on-site snow.
Description:
The Snow Park at Alpine Hills is a 5-acre winter recreation area divided into tubing and terrain park sections, offering activities for all abilities. It features a four-lane tubing hill and a terrain park for snowboarding, with amenities like a surface lift and rental options for snowboards and helmets.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Snow Park at Alpine Hills
Katie's Cup
What to Expect:
Community-driven coffee shop with a focus on neighborhood revitalization.
Description:
Katie's Cup is a women-led 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social enterprise in Rockford, IL, dedicated to fostering community through delicious coffee, food, and conversations. It supports revitalization efforts in the Midtown District and surrounding neighborhoods.
Where: Rockford | More Info: Katie's Cup
Rockton Yeti Fest
What to Expect:
Interactive winter activities and festive events.
Description:
Rockton Yeti Fest is a four-day winter celebration featuring snow sculpting, dog sledding demonstrations, a yeti scavenger hunt, an adults-only onesie pub crawl, and a family-friendly hot cocoa crawl.
Where: Rockton | More Info: Rockton Yeti Fest
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Loves Park (4 miles)
- Machesney Park (6 miles)
- Belvidere (13 miles)
- Beloit (17 miles)
- Freeport (27 miles)
- Janesville (29 miles)
- DeKalb (29 miles)
- Woodstock (33 miles)
- Huntley (35 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (40 miles)
- Crystal Lake (40 miles)
- Algonquin (42 miles)
- Wasco (42 miles)
- McHenry (42 miles)
- Carpentersville (44 miles)
- Elgin (45 miles)