Create your holiday schedule with our guide for West Ridge. Discover all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering your city or seeing it anew, our guide reveals the best of West Ridge's holidays.
One of the highlights is the Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival, where local artisans showcase their unique crafts, perfect for last-minute gift shopping. With its lively atmosphere and carefully curated stalls, the Springfield Holiday Extravaganza Winter Show offers fun for the whole family, featuring live entertainment and delicious seasonal treats. And the Chicago Holiday Makers Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it brings together talented local creators and vintage vendors. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Top Holiday Events In and Around West Ridge
- Springfield Holiday Extravaganza Winter Show (Springfield)
- Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival (Chicago)
- Hoffman Estates Holiday Craft Fair (Hoffman Estates)
- Chicago Holiday Makers Market (Chicago)
- Wheaton Santa Express (Wheaton)
- Christmas at Sugar Creek (Chatham)
- Evanston Holiday Bazaar (Evanston)
- Skokie North Pole Express (Skokie)
- Mount Prospect Polar Express (Mount Prospect)
- Oswego Holiday Express (Oswego)
See these and even more events listed below!
West Ridge Holiday Markets and Shopping
Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival
What to Expect:
Unique blend of vintage and modern shopping with complimentary parking and personal shopping assistance.
Description:
The Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival is a premier holiday shopping event featuring 125 sellers with mini-boutiques offering a wide range of posh goods, including vintage gifts, modern decor, housewares, fashion, and more. The event offers a stylishly curated mix of vintage and modern shopping for men, women, and children, with onsite parking, gift wrapping, and personal shopping assistance.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival
Chicago Holiday Makers Market
What to Expect:
Hyper-local market with unique handmade and crafted goods.
Description:
The Chicago Holiday Makers Market at Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club features a diverse array of local artisans and vendors selling vintage, handmade, and unique holiday gifts, including ornaments, jewelry, and home goods. The event offers a variety of crafted goods and delicious treats, making it an ideal destination for holiday shopping.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Chicago Holiday Makers Market
Hoffman Estates Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Free admission to browse local handmade crafts.
Description:
The Hoffman Estates Holiday Craft Fair is an annual event where local crafters showcase their handmade items, offering a variety of unique gifts and seasonal products. The fair is held at the Triphahn Center and Ice Arena, providing a free and festive shopping experience for all attendees.
Where: Hoffman Estates | More Info: Hoffman Estates Holiday Craft Fair
Evanston Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique artisanal gifts and local support.
Description:
The Evanston Holiday Bazaar features over 50 curated vendors showcasing clothing, accessories, home goods, ceramics, glass, food, and bath and body care items. All proceeds support the local Community Grants Fund.
Where: Evanston | More Info: Evanston Holiday Bazaar
Kawanee Christmas Bazaar
What to Expect:
Tribute to Susan Welgat with crafts, bakery, and raffle.
Description:
The Kewanee Christmas Bazaar honors Susan Welgat, a long-time music teacher and school secretary, with a festive event featuring crafts, bakery items, and a raffle.
Where: Kawanee | More Info: Kawanee Christmas Bazaar
Waterloo Holidaze Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local crafts, music, and food.
Description:
The Waterloo Holidaze Craft Fair is an indoor event featuring 85 local crafters, boutiques, and makers selling a variety of holiday gifts and items. The event includes music entertainment by Cornerstone Entertainment and Unhinged Band, cocktails, wine, beer, and seltzer during a happy hour, as well as a 360 photobooth and coffee and pastries during VIP time. There will also be food options including chili, sliders, and appetizers from Shortys Smokehouse. The event supports the Monroe County Startup Entrepreneur Program by donating ticket sales.
Where: Waterloo | More Info: Waterloo Holidaze Craft Fair
Treasures and Trinkets Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique handmade holiday crafts and gifts.
Description:
The Treasures and Trinkets Holiday Bazaar offers a wide range of handmade holiday crafts, clothing, jewelry, and gifts. This annual event is a great place to find unique items for your holiday shopping.
Where: Park Ridge | More Info: Treasures and Trinkets Holiday Bazaar
Small Business Saturday and Holiday Walks Kickoff
What to Expect:
Community-driven celebration of local businesses and holiday traditions.
Description:
Downtown Springfield's Small Business Saturday and Holiday Walks Kickoff celebrate local businesses and holiday spirit with festive decorations, special promotions, and community events.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Small Business Saturday and Holiday Walks Kickoff
Holiday Cheers Market
What to Expect:
Diverse holiday gift vendors.
Description:
The Holiday Cheers Market is a recurring event featuring vendors selling items that make great holiday gifts. It offers a diverse range of products, making it a great fit for vendors of all types.
Where: Alton | More Info: Holiday Cheers Market
Christkindlmarket Aurora
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with diverse shopping and entertainment options.
Description:
Christkindlmarket Aurora is a German-themed holiday market at RiverEdge Park, featuring over 55 vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities like face painting, glassblowing demonstrations, and a reindeer scavenger hunt.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Christkindlmarket Aurora
West Ridge Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Springfield Holiday Extravaganza Winter Show
What to Expect:
Unique charity craft show with live entertainment and Santa visits.
Description:
The Springfield Illinois Holiday Extravaganza Winter Show is a charity craft show featuring over 100 unique vendors and live entertainment. Santa will be there from 1-4 PM, and there are concessions available.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Springfield Holiday Extravaganza Winter Show
Mount Prospect Polar Express
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Join the Polar Express at Mount Prospect Train Station for a holiday adventure. The train journey to the North Pole includes visits with Santa, holiday music, hot chocolate, treats, and holiday coloring crafts. Each registered child receives a goody bag.
Where: Mount Prospect | More Info: Mount Prospect Polar Express
Skokie North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Interactive train ride with Santa Claus.
Description:
Take a special train ride to the North Pole with activity books, crafts, and holiday carols. Santa Claus will join the ride at Fox Lake, providing a memorable experience for all.
Where: Skokie | More Info: Skokie North Pole Express
West Ridge Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Sugar Creek
What to Expect:
Heartfelt holiday celebration with community and faith.
Description:
Sugar Creek United Methodist Church invites you to a heartwarming celebration of Christmas, where community and faith come together in a spirit of joy and giving.
Where: Chatham | More Info: Christmas at Sugar Creek
Holiday Tours at Illinois Governor's Mansion
What to Expect:
Historic mansion tours with refined decor and significant art pieces.
Description:
Explore the elegance and history of the Illinois Governor's Mansion during holiday tours, featuring refined decor and significant art pieces.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Holiday Tours at Illinois Governor's Mansion
Wheaton Santa Express
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa train ride with music and storytelling.
Description:
Join DuPage County Historical Museum for a special train ride departing from Wheaton Train Station. Pose with Santa for photos as he travels from one family to the next to find out what they want for Christmas. Music is played, a story is read, and goodie bags and snacks are handed out.
Where: Wheaton | More Info: Wheaton Santa Express
Oswego Holiday Express
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with hot cocoa and Santa meet-and-greet.
Description:
The Oswego Holiday Express is a festive holiday event where participants can enjoy hot cocoa, meet Mrs. Claus and Santa, and embark on a fun journey. Each participant, from Grandma to baby, must be registered, and trains depart every 20 minutes.
Where: Oswego | More Info: Oswego Holiday Express
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Rogers Park (1 miles)
- Lincoln Square (2 miles)
- Edgewater (2 miles)
- Albany Park (3 miles)
- Skokie (3 miles)
- Uptown (3 miles)
- North Center (3 miles)
- Irving Park (4 miles)
- Avondale (4 miles)
- Portage Park (5 miles)
- Wilmette (5 miles)
- Logan Square (5 miles)
- Morton Grove (5 miles)
- Niles (6 miles)
- Lincoln Park (6 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (6 miles)
- Glenview (7 miles)
- West Town (7 miles)
- Near North Side (8 miles)
- Park Ridge (8 miles)
- East Garfield Park (8 miles)
- Chicago Loop (9 miles)
- Oak Park (9 miles)
- North Lawndale (10 miles)
- Des Plaines (10 miles)
- Lower West Side (10 miles)
- Near South Side (10 miles)
- Chicago (11 miles)
- South Lawndale (11 miles)
- Melrose Park (11 miles)
- Cicero (11 miles)
- Northbrook (11 miles)
- Maywood (11 miles)
- Bridgeport (11 miles)
- Berwyn (12 miles)
- Douglas (12 miles)
- Brighton Park (12 miles)
- Mount Prospect (13 miles)
- New City (13 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (13 miles)
- Highland Park (14 miles)
- Gage Park (14 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (14 miles)
- Elmhurst (14 miles)
- Hyde Park (15 miles)
- West Englewood (15 miles)
- Englewood (15 miles)
- Wheeling (15 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (16 miles)
- West Lawn (16 miles)
- Addison (16 miles)
- Woodlawn (16 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (17 miles)
- Villa Park (17 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (17 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (17 miles)
- Ashburn (17 miles)
- South Shore (17 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (18 miles)
- Lombard (18 miles)
- Chatham (18 miles)
- Burbank (19 miles)
- Palatine (19 miles)
- South Chicago (19 miles)
- Roselle (20 miles)
- Glendale Heights (20 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (20 miles)
- Bloomingdale (20 miles)
- Oak Lawn (20 miles)
- Westmont (20 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (21 miles)
- Downers Grove (21 miles)
- Vernon Hills (21 miles)
- Morgan Park (21 miles)
- Darien (22 miles)
- Wheaton (23 miles)
- Hanover Park (23 miles)
- Carol Stream (23 miles)
- Blue Island (24 miles)
- Libertyville (24 miles)
- North Chicago (24 miles)
- Lisle (24 miles)
- Mundelein (24 miles)
- Streamwood (25 miles)
- Bartlett (25 miles)
- Dolton (25 miles)
- Woodridge (25 miles)
- Orland Park (27 miles)
- Harvey (27 miles)
- West Chicago (27 miles)
- Oak Forest (28 miles)
- Naperville (28 miles)
- Gurnee (28 miles)
- East Chicago (28 miles)
- Calumet City (28 miles)
- South Holland (28 miles)
- Bolingbrook (28 miles)
- Grayslake (30 miles)
- Tinley Park (30 miles)
- Carpentersville (30 miles)
- Elgin (30 miles)
- Homer Glen (30 miles)
- South Elgin (31 miles)
- Lansing (31 miles)
- Munster (31 miles)
- Zion (32 miles)
- Romeoville (32 miles)
- St. Charles (32 miles)
- Geneva (32 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (33 miles)
- Algonquin (33 miles)
- Highland (33 miles)
- Gary (33 miles)
- Batavia (33 miles)
- Lockport (34 miles)
- Chicago Heights (34 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (35 miles)
- Park Forest (35 miles)
- Crystal Lake (36 miles)
- Aurora (36 miles)
- New Lenox (37 miles)
- Wasco (37 miles)
- Plainfield (37 miles)
- Crest Hill (37 miles)
- McHenry (37 miles)
- Schererville (38 miles)
- Joliet (38 miles)
- Hobart (39 miles)
- Huntley (39 miles)
- Portage (40 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (40 miles)
- Merrillville (40 miles)
- Oswego (40 miles)
- Kenosha (41 miles)
- Crown Point (44 miles)
- Woodstock (44 miles)