Heart Of Christmas: Tree Lighting, Holiday Fun In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, kick off the holidays at the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Plainfield Park District's annual Heart of Christmas. The celebration officially starts at 5 p.m. Nov. 24 in downtown Plainfield, offering activities including a tree lighting, a showing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," letters to Santa, hay rack rides, hot chocolate and the annual creche lighting at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Here's a lineup of events:

• 4 p.m.: Plainfield North High School Madrigals performing at the Plainfield Public Library
• 5-6 p.m.: Grinchmas on the Green at Village Green Park including photos with the Grinch, hot chocolate and cookies while supplies last
• 5:30 p.m.: Tree lighting at Village Green Park with special guests Mr. Grinch and Santa Claus
• 5:45 p.m.: Showing of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"
• 6-8 p.m.: Letters to Santa at Hazel Marie's; pictures with Santa at Krema Coffee House; face painting and picture frame crafts at the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce; hayrack rides at the corner of Des Plaines and Lockport Streets; hot chocolate on Des Plaines Street while supplies last
• 7 p.m.: Lighting of the creche at Plymouth Congregational Church

The event ends with the lighting of the Plainfield Lions Club's historic nativity scene — now for the 67th year— in front of Plymouth Congregational Church at Lockport and Illinois Streets. Prior to the creche lighting, a Christmas carol singalong will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the church. The event includes the telling of the traditional Christmas story and features musical guests the Spectrum Youth Singers and the Plainfield North High School Madrigals.

Related: Grinch Returns To Plainfield Christmas Tree Lighting

Also during Heart of Christmas, Wine & Cheese by TCC will host a wine tasting from 6 to 9 p.m. The tasting is free and you can register online.

Photo via Plainfield Patch file/Shannon Antinori