Tradition and surprise. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them, and Geneva’s Christmas Walk and House Tour offer both.
The Christmas Walk begins at 6 pm Friday evening, December 1, with Bob’s Candy Cane Parade and Graham’s Chocolates first candy cane of the season being presented with great fanfare followed by the arrival of Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, who will offer Swedish cookies to merry-makers. The Christmas Tree is lit and the Courthouse lawn becomes aglow. The young and young at heart will wait with anticipation as Santa Claus arrives. Santa will open his home for visits from excited children while All Chocolate Kitchen recreates their record-breaking candy cane and the Grinch makes a stop in Geneva.
Reservations to visit Santa (at his home at 10 S. Third St., Geneva) are open at genevachamber.com. Cost is $10/time slot.
Serenaded by carolers, families stroll Geneva’s historic marketplace, nibbling on fresh-roasted chestnuts, and dodging into brightly lit shops and restaurants along the way.
Those who aren’t downtown might be touring holiday-decked homes. The Holiday House Tour (Dec. 1; 10am-8pm & Dec. 2; 10am-5pm) is another valued tradition, but thanks to the diversity of homes and the creativity of local designers, it’s filled with unexpected treats.
Tickets for the Holiday House Tour, include a holiday tea and a special treat from Inluro (while supplies last), are available for $38. Proceeds are used to decorate Geneva for the holiday season. They can be purchased at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 South Third St., online at genevachamber.com or at any of the locations listed below (in Geneva unless indicated otherwise). Call 630.232.6060 to pre-order over the phone. Tickets will not be for sale at the homes.
Cocoon, 212 S. Third St. – 630.232.8340
Country Naturals, 316 Campbell St. – 630.232.1172
Farmdog Flowers, 239 W. Wilson St., Batavia. – 630.326.9432
Heinz Brothers Greenhouse, 2010 E Main St., St. Charles – 630.377.6288
Little Barn Baby, 15 S. Third St., # 110 – 331.248.0568
Little Red Barn Door, 21 S. Third St. – 630.402.0072
SG Geneva/Scentimental Gardens, 428 W. State St – 630.232.1303
Please note: the above locations accept cash and check (made payable to Geneva Chamber). This event may sell out.
Christmas in Geneva is magical right up to the big day.
