Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Elgin police responded early Friday morning to a report of shots fired, apparently after an attempted burglary. It is the 62nd shots fired incident in Elgin this year. The record for such incidents is 64, set in 2016. Friday morning at approximately 1:38 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of Jefferson Avenue for a report of a burglary. The residents heard noises and confronted the suspects who then fled. As the suspects fled the area, a single gunshot was heard outside. Evidence of gunfire was located. No injuries have been reported and there is no suspect information available at…

The official Christmas Season is ushered in all weekend around the Fox Valley! Here’s a rundown of highlights! Friday, November 26 | Mooseheart’s 12th Annual Holiday Lights Festival Opens Mooseheart’s 12th Annual Holiday Lights Festival opens this Friday, November 26, at 5pm. The Festival, which organizers say hosted approximately 20,000 cars last year, raises money for the Mooseheart Child City and School. The suggested donation is $20. Festival of Lights At Cosley Zoo Begins November 26 A winter visit to Cosley Zoo is a Christmas family tradition . The zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling…

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in downtown Elgin from 3:00pm to 5:00pm and the City of Elgin will ring in the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 27 at 5:00 p.m. on the splash pad at Festival Park, located at 132 S. Grove Avenue. All are invited to celebrate the incoming holiday season. Mayor David Kaptain will welcome the crowd. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Larkin High School Jazz Band. The local Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl (BFH) will also host a Posada celebration ending with a traditional piñata smash.  Throughout the day leading…

One of the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light displays in Northern Illinois, the Aurora Festival of Lights, returns for its 15th year in 2021 with dazzling displays that will delight both adults and children. Note: Due to the demand last year, a reserved time is required to enter the Festival of Lights.  The reservation is free, please Click Here to reserve your free time slot. Presented in partnership between the Rotary Club of Aurora and the City of Aurora, this signature winter event is a drive through of more than one mile of spectacular lighted displays at Phillips Park. Entrance is Smith Blvd. at…

Mooseheart’s 12th Annual Holiday Lights Festival opens this Friday, November 26, at 5pm. The Festival, which organizers say hosted approximately 20,000 cars last year, raises money for the Mooseheart Child City and School. The suggested donation is $20. Holiday Lights at Mooseheart is one of Chicagoland’s largest light displays, with the lighted route running approximately 1.8 miles with more than 80 lighted displays to view. Letters to Santa can also be dropped off with guaranteed delivery. The Festival runs from 5pm-9pm every day until New Years. Mooseheart is located roughly half way between Batavia and North Aurora on Rt. 31.

Driver Of Vehicle Pronounced Dead At Scene; No Students Seriously Hurt. A man was killed Tuesday afternoon when his vehicle collided head-on with a Batavia school bus just leaving Rotolo Middle School in Batavia. Batavia police are withholding the identity of the driver pending family notification. According to the Batavia Police Department, approximately 39 student were on the bus at the time of the collision. Remarkably, all but one walked away with nothing worse than minor injuries. One child was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The vehicle, identified as a late model Infinity 2-door coupe, was travelling…

Christmas tradition includes tree sales. A winter visit to Cosley Zoo is a Christmas family tradition . The zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate and an unique assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop. Stroll through the brilliantly-lit property featuring 20,000+ twinkling lights and a herd of whimsical lighted animal figures. Warm up with some hot chocolate while perusing the Wild Side gift shop for a great selection of unique holiday gifts. All proceeds from this event benefit Cosley Zoo.…

Experience the magic of Batavia with the Celebration of Lights Festival, Sunday, November 28 from 5pm to 7pm at the Batavia Riverwalk. Hayrides, holiday craft activities, old-fashioned ornament-making, a community sing-a-long, ceremonial tree lighting, a visit with Santa, story hour and the ever-popular Christmas Tree Lane! The festival is presented by the Batavia Park District in partnership with Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the City of Batavia, and the Batavia Police Department. This event is free and no registration is required. 5-7 p.m. Free hayrides with food or $1 cash donation (proceeds directly benefit the Batavia Food Pantry)Free…

Peck Farm Park has a new twist on some old Christmas fun. How about a gingerbread barn raising? Get out to the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center at Peck Farm this Sunday, December 5, and enjoy hot cocoa and holiday music while you and the family decorate your gingerbread barn to take home. Registration includes your very own gingerbread barn, plus frosting, assorted candies and cookies for decorating. One registration covers the whole family (up to six people per barn). Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Date: December 5 Time:12:30 pm – 2:30 pm…