Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Highland Park: Tree Lightings And More

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in the Highland Park area to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Highland Park city officials have adjusted downtown holiday traditions this year in light of the mass shooting that terrorized the town during this year's July 4 parade.

"Following advice from experts at the Department of Justice, feedback from victims and their families, and input from staff, the City has made the difficult decision to cancel the holiday lighting program at Port Clinton Square," according to a statement from city staff.

"As always, the holiday lights will be illuminated from mid-November throughout the season," it said. "The City is actively exploring alternate locations for the tree and menorah."

The Heart of the Holidays series of event, which are sponsored by the city and the Downtown Highland Park Alliance, has continued as scheduled.

“We encourage Highland Parkers and neighbors throughout the North Shore to come and celebrate with us, enjoying all of our festive offerings and incredible shopping in Downtown Highland Park," Mayor Nancy Rotering said in a statement.

Events are planned on each of the remaining Saturdays before the start of Hanukkah. Both will include holiday carolers, a mailbox for Santa Claus and a Toys for Tots toy drive.

On Dec. 3, characters from the movie "Frozen" are scheduled to perform around town, with a "make your own Olaf" project and roasted chestnuts around town.

Then, on Dec. 10, Santa Claus, his wife and elves will be on hand. Other events include gingerbread house assembly, a Klezmer band, Hanukkah Harriet and dreidel making and sufganiyot, the traditional deep-fried jelly donut.

Other upcoming events in the Highland Park area include:

The annual Winnetka tree lighting takes place 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at Dwyer Park, with hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, candy canes and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus and an Elf.

In Highwood, the 4th annual Elf Invasion Pub Crawl will take place Dec. 3 from 7 p.m. to close.

Dreidels and Donuts, a festive family event with holiday-themed crafts and sufganiyot is scheduled for 4 to 4:45 p.m. at the West Ridge Center.

And the Lightscape experience at the Chicago Botanic Garden runs until Jan. 8. A mile of light-filled installations includes the Winter Cathedral, a fire garden and more. Tickets to the event are sold in timeslots between 4:30 and 9:15 p.m.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland, and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

In Chicago, thousands of attendees were on hand earlier this month at the 31st annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue.

And the Light Up the Lake indoor light experience runs through Jan. 7 at Navy Pier. It features a skating rink, tree maze, visits with Santa and interactive light displays.

Related: Where To Buy Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree Near Highland Park