Geneva Christmas Walk returns to Third Street

GENEVA – Christmas Walk will return to Geneva’s Third Street tonight, a welcome celebration of holiday cheer after being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Thousands of people will come to Geneva and kick off Christmas,” Geneva Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Laura Rush said.

Tickets for the Holiday House Tour of five decorated homes are still available, Rush said.

Christmas walk officially begins at 6 p.m. with the first candy cane of the season from Graham’s Chocolates, Santa’s arrival, carolers and Santa Lucia – the Swedish symbol of the season.

“She will arrive with four attendants and they will safely hand out pepparkakors – wearing disposable gloves,” Rush said.

For the uninitiated, pepparkakors are Swedish ginger cookies.

Other amenities include the lighting of the tree on the Kane County Courthouse lawn, lights and greenery lining the streets, chestnuts roasted over open fires, a candy cane pull and a live nativity scene.

“We are expecting it to be in the 50s (on Friday) with no snow, no rain, no wind,” Rush said. “It makes a heck of a difference when it’s nice out.”

Tickets for the House Tour are $35 per person and include a traditional holiday tea and a treat from The Olive Mill or 360° Flavor & Spice.

Tickets are available by calling 630-232-6060 or in person at the Geneva Chamber office, 8 S. Third St., or at local businesses listed on the chamber website at www.genevachamber.com.

Proceeds are used to decorate Geneva for the holiday season.