Author: Fox Valley Magazine

One of the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light displays in Northern Illinois, the Aurora Festival of Lights, returns for its 18th year in 2024 with dazzling displays that will delight both adults and children. The Aurora Festival of Lights opens on Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday, December 29, each night from 5pm to 9pm at Philips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive. Admission is free, but visitors should register for an entry ticket here. Only one registration per vehicle is required. Visitors will enjoy a mile of spectacular lighted displays from the comfort of the car while listening…

Bring the family for a magical and memorable experience – just like visiting the North Pole! Blackberry Farm is a winter wonderland amid thousands of twinkling lights, festive holiday decorations and happy holiday music. Take a ride on the Holiday Express train – a charming tour around scenic Lake Gregory – and enjoy a hay wagon ride, too. Back in the historic pioneer village, you’ll enjoy crafts, a reindeer food bar, story readings of holiday classics at the one-room schoolhouse, and…a special visit with Santa. Food and drinks available for purchase. Get ready for some holiday cheer – all aboard…

The annual Celebration of Lights Festival will light up the Batavia Riverwalk the evening of December 1 as the community gathers to kick off the holiday season and welcome Santa. This free event will celebrate the magic of the season with festive and fun holiday activities, song and ceremony, culminating in Santa’s arrival and a welcome by Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, followed by the ceremonial tree lighting. “This festival is a time when our community gathers together, sharing in the magic and warmth of the season,” said Batavia Park District Executive Director Allison Niemela. “The Riverwalk is transformed this time…

The Village of Oswego Christmas Walk kicks off the holiday season in downtown Oswego from 4:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday, December 6.   This free event features performances by local choirs, visits with Santa’s reindeer, ice sculpting, an inflatable sled hill, the Village’s annual tree lighting performance and an emergency vehicle light parade. People of all ages can enjoy games, crafts and giveaways. Downtown stores will open their doors to showcase holiday décor and gifts for all ages. “Christmas Walk is a wonderful holiday tradition for families in downtown Oswego,” Village President Ryan Kauffman said. “Let’s come together as a…

The more, the merrier! Montgomery Merry & Bright lights up the night starting Sunday, December 8 with the annual Tree Lighting and visit with Santa at 5:00pm in front of Village Hall (200 North River Street). The event will feature Santa, giveaways, musical performances, and the opening of the Festival of Trees, which will run through December 26 at Village Hall and along River Street. Together with the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Montgomery has hosted this event for twenty-seven years. It begins with Santa and Mrs. Claus’s grand arrival on the Montgomery-Countryside Fire District fire…

Get ready to sip, stroll, and celebrate Small Business Saturday with the Downtown Elgin Holiday Cheers Beverage Crawl. On Saturday, November 30, over 20 local businesses in Downtown Elgin will each offer a unique holiday-inspired beverage between 10am and 6pm – the perfect way to support small businesses while indulging in the festive spirit. Participants will find an array of holiday drinks, including Hot Cocoa topped with festiveadditions, Holiday Cold Brew, Ponche Navideño, Non-Alcoholic Coquito, and more. Somelocations will offer optional beverage add-ins, such as a shot of alcohol or other unique treats,for a small additional charge. Tickets for this…

Tradition and surprise. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them, and Geneva’s Christmas Walk and House Tour offer both. Friday evening, December 6 begins at 6pm with Bob’s Candy Cane Parade and Graham’s Chocolates first candy cane of the season being presented with great fanfare. Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, follows, offering 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…

According to the National Weather Service, the first significant snowfall of the year is coming to the entire Fox Valley region this morning and will last into the afternoon hours. Snowfall will be heavy at times, with wind gusts of 30-40mph making travel difficult. Expected accumulations range from 2-3″. We’re honestly not ready for this.

This year’s Dickens In Dundee will take place in East Dundee and West Dundee on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. Dickens in Dundee was formed in 1988. It began as a small community gathering, with caroling and the search for Tiny Tim’s crutch in local stores. With the support of local businesses, this event has grown significantly and attracts people from all over the Dundee area. The Village of East Dundee hosts a variety of activities during Dickens in Dundee such as Living Windows, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Visits with Santa, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Musical Acts, Holiday Characters…

St. Charles Holiday Homecoming is taking place in downtown St. Charles on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30. This two-day community event will feature an array of family-friendly activities to commence the holiday season. The Lighting of the Lights Ceremony will kick-off Holiday Homecoming on Friday, starting at 5:00pm on the 1st Street Plaza. Enjoy complimentary roasted nuts, hear the sounds of holiday carols being sung by the St. Charles East and North High School Choirs, and witness the downtown become illuminated with the dazzling holiday lights. On Saturday, there will be a free showing of The Grinch at…