Tree Lighting, Visit From Santa Will Kick Off Holiday Season In Batavia: Details

BATAVIA, IL — Batavia will ring in the holiday season Nov. 30 with the Celebration of Lights, a community gathering with music, lights and festivities.

Organized by the Batavia Park District, the Celebration of Lights will return from 5-7 p.m. at Peg Bond Center. The event marks Santa's arrival in Batavia and the lighting of the city's Christmas tree.

"This festival is a reminder that the simple moments like singing carols, creating holiday crafts, enjoying a wagon ride, visiting Santa and his reindeer and watching the trees come to life are often the ones that bring us together in the most meaningful ways," Park District Executive Director Allison Niemela said in a statement. "This is where our hometown spirit shines brightest. It's pure Batavia magic."

The Batavia Depot Museum will also host "Holiday Cheer," an exhibit about local holiday traditions. Callahan Community Center will be the place to go for holiday crafts and games for kids. Families will be able to take hayrides, visit reindeer, and hear a performance from the Batavia Community Band.

A stretch of the Riverwalk patch will feature trees decorated by 35 community organizations and businesses. The trees will all be entered in a contest for the chance to win in three categories: Most Original Theme, Best Holiday Spirit and People's Choice. Locals can vote for the People's Choice winner on the Batavia Park District's Facebook page starting at noon Nov. 25 through noon Nov. 29.

Other events scheduled include:

• 5:15 p.m. — Craig Foltos, of Foltos Tonsorial Parlor, will lead a community sing-along
• 5:30 p.m. — Santa will arrive, and ceremonial tree lighting will occur
• 5:45 p.m. — Peg Bond Center becomes Santa's Warming House, open for visits and photos. Plus, announcement of the Christmas Tree Lane winners
• 5:45-6:30 p.m. — Storytime at the Batavia Depot Museum, presented by the Batavia Public Library. Story readers include the following:
  • 5:50 p.m. — Megan Newman, of Batavia Mothers' Club
  • 5:55 p.m. — Batavia Fire Chief Craig Hanson
  • 6 p.m. — Kathryn Hubbard, of the Batavia Public Library
  • 6:05 p.m. — Batavia Police Officer John Kahl
  • 6:10 p.m. — Kate Garrett, Batavia Depot Museum
  • 6:15 p.m. — Allison Niemela, of the Batavia Park District
  • 6:20 p.m. — Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke and his wife, Linda