Downtown Manteno was bustling with holiday cheer for the annual Christmas in Manteno celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

Plainfield kicks off the holiday season by handing out free hot cholocate and lighting the Christmas tree with guest Santa and the Grinch on Saturday evening, Dec. 6, 2025.

Joliet Township High School CEO students are hosting a community Christmas event at Joliet Central on Dec. 12.

Visit these spectacular light shows and displays this Christmas season.

The performances combine a dessert show in the school cafeteria with a stage performance in Central’s Harold and Jean Miner Auditorium.

The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will perform its Holidays Pops: Winter Wonderland concert Dec. 12 and 14.

Check out this list of upcoming holiday concerts, shows and family-friendly events at the Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles.

Families can form teams and compete by answering questions about holiday history, movies, music and television, the library said.

Join the Prairie Singers as they celebrate the season with a heartwarming blend of secular and sacred music that captures the spirit of Christmas.

The display of beautifully decorated trees nestled in the heart of Town Square Park. 301 N Bridge St., Yorkville.

Affectionately named Floyd, this 36-foot-tall illuminated penguin greets visitors at the entrance to the New Lenox Christmas in the Commons.

All four Plainfield District 202 high schools have announced the schedule for the holiday collage concerts this December.

Enjoy food and drink specials at 18 participating restaurants in downtown Glen Ellyn.

The River Valley Wind and Choral Ensembles to perform a Holiday Concert on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University on Dec. 14.

The event begins each year with the tree lighting, and features free photos with Santa at Santa’s Village, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, the Dixon Municipal Band and more.

More than 40 small local businesses will be showcasing their treasures at Main Street Merchants on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The annual holiday event kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

Celebrate the holiday season at these charming, family-friendly events.

The Joliet American Legion Band will perform Sunday, Dec. 14. The Jingle Mingle event is set for Dec. 4.

The free performances will include holiday hits with the joyful harmonies of the Andrews Sisters.

The choir’s 41st annual Christmas concerts will highlight seasonal songs, featuring virtuoso guitarist Goran Ivanovic.

The tours run on select days through Dec. 15.

Celebrate the holidays with a family brunch at these locations in northern Illinois.

Twins Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the sons of music legend Ricky Nelson and grandsons of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, will bring their show "Christmas with the Nelsons" to St. Charles Dec. 9.

Check out the shows and live performances at venues like the Rialto Square Theatre, Woodstock Opera House, Raue Center for the Arts, Egyptian Theatre and more!

The Festival of Lights and Christmas tree sale kick off Friday, Nov. 28.

Celebrations in Montgomery, Oswego, Plano and Sandwich will help you get into the holiday spirit Friday through Sunday.

The concert will feature members of Sinfonietta Bel Canto, Sinfonietta DuPage and guests.  

Join the La Grange Area Historical Society Dec. 14 for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks and desserts in four historic homes in La Grange.

The Lombard Historical Society has announced its 2025 holiday calendar of events

Experience a Victorian Christmas as the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.

Registration is officially open, and residents are invited to nominate their own property—or a neighbor’s. Nominations are being accepted through Sunday, Dec. 14.

The Plainfield Fire Protection District participates in the annual holiday fire safety campaign “Keep the Wreath Red” to raise awareness of fire prevention during the holiday season.

The event, which starts with caroling at 6:30 p.m. and the Messiah at 7 p.m., is both a community celebration of the start of the holiday season and a fundraiser for local charities.

During the month of December, United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties is coordinating a community-wide Home for the Holidays Donation Drive.

Events include visits with Santa and the Jolly Jamboree with crafts, photo ops and more.

The United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties has been hard at work addressing the area’s housing needs.

Downtown visitors for the Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade were impressed with what they see so far of the new Joliet City Square.

The city of St. Charles issued a Holiday Homecoming Parade Traffic Advisory to ensure everyone stays safe during the festivities. Here’s how the roadways and parking will be impacted.

People pack the Woodstock Square for the Lighting of the Square Friday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Woodstock. The annual event featured brass music, caroling, free doughnuts and cider, food trucks, festive selfie stations and shopping.

The indoor event, 19 W. Washington St., Oswego, will feature a variety of vendors and crafters.

The Joliet Police Department noted there will be street closures and detours. Plan for traffic delays and a large amount of pedestrian traffic in the area.

Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding residents to use caution when shopping online or in stores.

The 2025 Goose Island - Bourbon County Brand Stout Release Party will be held Friday at Craft’d Plainfield.

In addition to supporting local businesses, shoppers have the opportunity to win an artisan gift basket. Simply stop at the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tune in for an entertaining event, “An Evening with Mike & Rob,” on Dec. 19 at the B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee.

The award-winning American Legion Band will hold its annual Christmas concert at the Rialto Square Theatre on Dec. 14 to benefit Catholic Charities.

The Festival of Lights Parade is Friday, Nov. 28.

The popular holiday series returns to downtown Joliet this year with live music, holiday movies, unique performances and more.

The annual Christmas Tree Walk, opens Friday, Nov. 28, following the Lighting of the Square.