Holiday season 2019 is in full swing! Many cities are lighting their Christmas trees, setting up holiday light displays, and indulging in sweet treats. Chicago and the suburbs offer up plenty of holiday activities to participate in. Check out our five favorite suburban Chicago holiday activities that we guarantee you won’t want to miss.
Holiday Fest – Highwood
Kicking off Highwood, IL’s 2019 seasonal celebrations is the Highwood Holiday Fest. This year’s event takes place on Small Business Saturday, November 30. From 2 – 6 p.m. The fest culminates with a fabulous tree lighting ceremony. Holiday Fest highlights include a kid-friendly Cookie Walk around town, holiday music, and shopping. Kids can enjoy crafts at the ornament-making station and chow down on roasted chestnuts and s’mores. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also available for $5. Starting at 4 p.m., Santa will be available for photos and holiday wishes. Additionally, for those adults who want to stay out a bit later, the Highwood Chamber and Celebrate Highwood are co-hosting 12 Drinks of Christmas pub and restaurant crawl starting at 6 p.m.
Yuletide Fest – Naperville
While Naperville’s Christkindlemarket is no longer around, the city has announced a new winter market, Yuletide Fest. Coming this December, Yuletide Fest will be the place to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season with your friends and family. Finding a home in Naper Settlement, Yuletide Fest will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Enter through a lighted tunnel with your favorite holiday music playing and enjoy a hot chocolate while you celebrate with your loved ones. There will also be vendors to purchase holiday goods from, and a heated tent for refreshments. Bring your family or even your friends to enjoy food, crafts, ornaments, hot chocolate, and more!
Cocoa Crawl – Aurora
What could be better than unlimited hot cocoa? That’s the question the City of Aurora asked when they launched its inaugural Cocoa Crawl in 2018, and it was a smash hit. Back for its second year, on December 6, this is a festival that is sure to please every member of your family. Cocoa Crawl takes place during First Fridays, which is downtown Aurora’s monthly event with pop-up shops, art exhibits, live music, and food trucks. First Fridays can be enjoyed for free, but the Cocoa Crawl mug will cost you $5 for entry which gets you a refillable keepsake mug. Participated in the Cocoa Crawl last year? Bring your mug and purchase a $5 Cocoa Crawl button that serves as your ticket to the event.
Holiday Housewalk and Market – Oak Park
Are you looking for a way to give to a good cause this holiday season? The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society (IWS) is holding its 21st Annual Holiday Housewalk and Market from December 5-7. The event supports the IWS Children’s Clinic. The event begins with the spirit and wine tasting on opening night. The Holiday Housewalk is $45 and kicks off on Friday, December 6 at 5 p.m. and also occurs on Saturday, December 7 from noon – 4 p.m. You’ll get the opportunity to tour five beautiful homes in Oak Park & River Forest, decorated festively for the holidays. Also during these times, the Artisan Holiday Market will be open where you can shop one-of-a-kind artisan vendors. Find unique gift items including jewelry, clothing, food, decor, and more. 15% of all sales benefit the IWS Children’s Clinic. Also check out Not-So-Trivial Pursuit Night. Tickets for all events can be purchased on their website.
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Market – Tinley Park
Did you miss downtown Chicago’s tree lighting ceremony? Don’t fret! Take a quick trip out to Tinley Park’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 6. The Village will light a magnificent 35-foot community holiday tree. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., but be sure to arrive early to sing along to holiday music while you wait! After the tree lighting ceremony is finished, head on over to the Holiday Market to shop for unique handmade crafts and creations. Enjoy treats and live music by local entertainers, take a ride in an old-fashioned carriage ride, and check out a live ice carving demonstration! Kids will also have fun making holiday crafts, writing letters to Santa, and decorating cookies.
