Discover the charm of the holidays in Woodlawn with our detailed guide. From Woodlawn regulars to first-time explorers, our guide highlights the season's best activities.
Popular events during the festive season include the Christkindlmarket, where visitors can experience the delightful atmosphere of a traditional German-style market featuring handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats. Additionally, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival illuminates the city with festive lights, creating a vibrant backdrop for holiday shopping. And the Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunning light displays in a picturesque natural setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Woodlawn
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Chicago)
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- Holiday Showcase + GLOW (Monticello)
- Santa Parade (Belleville)
- Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash (Belleville)
- Downtown Cookie Stroll (Belleville)
- Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk (Belleville)
See these and even more events listed below!
Woodlawn Holiday Light Displays
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music in a scenic arboretum setting.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of the Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light, sound, and color display. The one-mile path is fully ADA compliant, featuring 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Enjoy warm fires, marshmallow roasting, and snacks at concession tents, or dine at the Ginkgo Restaurant while viewing a laser light finale on Meadow Lake.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Largest nighttime parade in the U.S. with one million lights and giant helium balloons.
Description:
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a day-through-night holiday extravaganza featuring a spectacular nighttime parade down North Michigan Avenue. Led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, the parade includes fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands from across the country, popular celebrities, and musical performances. The event culminates with the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular over the Chicago River, illuminating over 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile with one million lights.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Woodlawn Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
German-style outdoor market with free admission and diverse shopping and dining options.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style Christmas market offering a variety of international and local vendors, festive music, and a wide array of food and drinks. Visitors can explore unique shopping experiences, participate in special events, and enjoy a cozy atmosphere.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Woodlawn Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Showcase + GLOW
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with artisanal shopping and festive lighting.
Description:
The Holiday Showcase and GLOW event at Allerton Park & Retreat Center features specially-selected artisans, businesses, and festive performances. Enjoy a stroll through the beautifully lit formal gardens and wandering woods, and experience the holiday season with unique products and activities.
Where: Monticello | More Info: Holiday Showcase + GLOW
Woodlawn Other Holiday Activities
Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois.
Description:
Join the family-friendly Santa Parade in Downtown Belleville, featuring floats, marching bands, and dance groups, as the Optimist Club of Belleville welcomes Santa to town.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Santa Parade
Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with a kids' dash and festive treats.
Description:
The Belleville Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash is a festive community event featuring a 5K run/walk through downtown Belleville and a kids' dash where young runners compete against Sam the Gingerbread Man. Participants receive long sleeve tee shirts, finish line photos, and sweet treats along the course.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash
Downtown Cookie Stroll
What to Expect:
Collecting over two dozen tasty Christmas cookies while exploring Downtown Belleville.
Description:
Stroll Main Street in Downtown Belleville and visit quaint shops and local restaurants while collecting over two dozen tasty Christmas cookies. Enjoy the German Christkindlmarkt, gingerbread displays, a horse-drawn trolley, and the Santa house.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Downtown Cookie Stroll
Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk
What to Expect:
Candle-lit walk through historic neighborhood.
Description:
Take a candle-lit stroll through historic Abend and Garfield Streets, enjoying the beautifully decorated neighborhood.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Hyde Park (1 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (1 miles)
- South Shore (2 miles)
- Englewood (2 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (3 miles)
- Chatham (3 miles)
- West Englewood (3 miles)
- New City (4 miles)
- South Chicago (4 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (4 miles)
- Douglas (4 miles)
- Bridgeport (5 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (5 miles)
- Gage Park (5 miles)
- Near South Side (5 miles)
- Chicago (6 miles)
- Brighton Park (6 miles)
- Ashburn (6 miles)
- Lower West Side (6 miles)
- West Lawn (6 miles)
- Morgan Park (7 miles)
- South Lawndale (7 miles)
- Chicago Loop (7 miles)
- North Lawndale (8 miles)
- Near North Side (9 miles)
- East Garfield Park (9 miles)
- West Town (9 miles)
- Cicero (9 miles)
- Blue Island (9 miles)
- Oak Lawn (9 miles)
- Dolton (10 miles)
- Burbank (10 miles)
- Lincoln Park (10 miles)
- Berwyn (11 miles)
- Logan Square (11 miles)
- Calumet City (12 miles)
- Harvey (12 miles)
- Oak Park (12 miles)
- East Chicago (12 miles)
- South Holland (12 miles)
- Avondale (12 miles)
- North Center (13 miles)
- Uptown (13 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (14 miles)
- Irving Park (14 miles)
- Oak Forest (14 miles)
- Maywood (14 miles)
- Lincoln Square (14 miles)
- Edgewater (14 miles)
- Albany Park (15 miles)
- Portage Park (15 miles)
- Lansing (15 miles)
- Munster (16 miles)
- Melrose Park (16 miles)
- West Ridge (16 miles)
- Rogers Park (16 miles)
- Orland Park (17 miles)
- Tinley Park (17 miles)
- Highland (17 miles)
- Gary (18 miles)
- Skokie (19 miles)
- Chicago Heights (19 miles)
- Darien (19 miles)
- Elmhurst (19 miles)
- Westmont (19 miles)
- Niles (20 miles)
- Park Ridge (20 miles)
- Park Forest (20 miles)
- Morton Grove (20 miles)
- Wilmette (21 miles)
- Downers Grove (21 miles)
- Homer Glen (21 miles)
- Villa Park (21 miles)
- Schererville (22 miles)
- Lombard (22 miles)
- Glenview (22 miles)
- Addison (23 miles)
- Des Plaines (23 miles)
- Woodridge (23 miles)
- Lisle (25 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (25 miles)
- Hobart (25 miles)
- Merrillville (25 miles)
- Bolingbrook (25 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (25 miles)
- Glendale Heights (26 miles)
- Portage (26 miles)
- Mount Prospect (26 miles)
- New Lenox (26 miles)
- Northbrook (27 miles)
- Wheaton (27 miles)
- Romeoville (27 miles)
- Lockport (27 miles)
- Bloomingdale (28 miles)
- Crown Point (28 miles)
- Naperville (28 miles)
- Roselle (28 miles)
- Carol Stream (29 miles)
- Highland Park (30 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (30 miles)
- Wheeling (30 miles)
- Crest Hill (30 miles)
- Joliet (31 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (31 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (32 miles)
- Hanover Park (32 miles)
- West Chicago (32 miles)
- Palatine (32 miles)
- Plainfield (33 miles)
- Bartlett (34 miles)
- Streamwood (34 miles)
- Valparaiso (35 miles)
- Vernon Hills (36 miles)
- Michigan City (37 miles)
- Batavia (37 miles)
- Geneva (37 miles)
- Aurora (37 miles)
- St. Charles (38 miles)
- South Elgin (39 miles)
- Libertyville (39 miles)
- Elgin (39 miles)
- Mundelein (39 miles)
- Oswego (39 miles)
- North Chicago (40 miles)
- Carpentersville (41 miles)
- Wasco (43 miles)
- Gurnee (44 miles)
- Algonquin (45 miles)