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 19th year in 2025 with dazzling displays that will delight both adults and children. The Aurora Festival of Lights opens on Friday, November 28, and runs through Sunday, December 28, 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…

The Village of Oswego Christmas Walk kicks off the holiday season in downtown Oswego from 4:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday, December 5.   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 7 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 28 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-eight years. It begins with Santa and Mrs. Claus’s grand arrival on the Montgomery-Countryside Fire District fire…

Tradition and surprise. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them, and Geneva’s Christmas Walk and House Tour offer both. Friday evening, December 5 begins at 6pm with Bob’s Candy Cane Parade and the 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. Reservations to visit Santa (at his home…

St. Charles’ “Holiday Homecoming” returns November 28th-29th in downtown St. Charles. The festivities begin on Friday with the annual Lighting of the Lights Ceremony at 5 pm, featuring festive holiday music, Santa visits, illuminated photo ops, complimentary roasted nuts, and more. On Saturday, start the day with a free screening of Elf at Arcada Theatre at 10am, dive into holiday shopping during the Holiday Shop Crawl, and enjoy the magical Electric Christmas Parade on Main Street at 5:30pm. Santa’s Cottage will be open every Saturday and Sunday from November 29th – December 21st on 1st Street Plaza from 1pm to…

Get ready to sip, stroll, and celebrate Small Business Saturday with the Downtown Elgin Holiday Cheers Beverage Crawl. On Saturday, November 29, over 20 local businesses in Downtown Elgin will each offer a unique holiday-inspired beverage for you to enjoy 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…

Begin your holiday season with a one of a kind drive-thru experience at Santa’s Village in East Dundee.. Enjoy over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music and dazzling displays as you drive through the park, all from the comfort of your car. At the end of the route, you can park, visit Santa, enjoy the snowless tube slide, take family photos with numerous photo ops, and purchase delicious funnel cakes and hot chocolate while creating endless memories in the enchanted village. Tickets can be purchased here. Tickets will not be available at the gate. Online reservations are required. Santa’s…

Wine selections available at local wine stores and wineries in the Fox Valley area. A Bright Debut: Lynfred Winery’s 2024 Albariño Shines with Lively EleganceAlbariño (pronounced alba-reen-yo) has long been celebrated as one of the Iberian Peninsula’s most captivating white grape varieties. Hailing from Galicia in northwest Spain and Portugal’s Minho region, where it is known as Alvarinho, this grape is prized for producing wines that brim with energy, freshness, and coastal charm. In recent years, Albariño has found an inspired new home in Lodi, California, a region whose Mediterranean climate mirrors that of its Iberian origins. Warm days, tempered…

The City of Naperville will once again shine during the holidays this year with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s events and activities. Here’s a run-down of all the fun. Letters to Santa MailboxMONDAY, NOVEMBER 24–FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 Kids can drop off holiday wish lists at Santa’s Mailbox at the corner of Main and Jefferson. Santa and his magic elves will send a personalized reply! (Include child’s name and return address.) Holiday Painted WindowsTHANKSGIVING–NEW YEAR’S Discover winter-themed artwork in downtown windows. Check downtownnaperville.com/events for a complete list. Naper Lights on Water Street!THANKSGIVING–NEW YEAR’S Enjoy a Winter Wonderland with giant displays and…

The Village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation will host “An Almost Winter Day” festival on Saturday, November 22 from 2-5pm at Seba Park in South Elgin. Make s’mores, decorate cookies, enjoy craft projects, get a balloon animal, drop-off a letter to Santa (and get a reply from the North Pole). The afternoon includes an ice sculptor, bonfire, a tree decorating contest and snowball sling shot fun. Plus…Santa arrives at 2pm and will stay until 4:45pm for pictures (bring your camera). At 5pm, the event shifts to Panton Mill Park across the street for the Village Tree lighting. Concessions will…