Your Guide To Holiday Events Near St. Charles

ST. CHARLES, IL — The holiday season is upon us and St. Charles is gearing up for all the fun and festivities.

But when exactly will Santa Claus be making a stop here? And what events are worth checking out this holiday season? It's time to start making your plans and marking your calendar and we've got you covered.

Here is a rundown of some of the best events that will be happening in the coming weekends in and around St. Charles:

November 10 to 12

Friday, November 10

Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe opens for the holiday season on Nov. 10. The holiday light show will remain open through Jan. 7, 2024. More info.

Winterfest Art Market will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Water Street Studios, 160 South Water Street in Batavia. More info.

Saturday, November 11

Santa Arrives At Deer Park Town Center, Fireworks, Deer Park
Santa will make his grand entrance on Nov. 11 at Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park. The festivities will get started at 6 p.m. Saturday with a special performance by "Those Funny Little People." After the performance, Santa will arrive in a Lake Zurich Fire Department truck and there will be a count down until Santa flips the holiday lights on. Santa will be available for visits and free photos until 8:30 p.m. A fireworks display will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a finale that will honor veterans. More info.

Sunday, November 12

Santa is coming to Phil's Beach, Wauconda

Santa will be at Phil's Beach, 328 N. Main St., in Wauconda from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 12. The cost is $10 per family for residents and $15 for non-residents to get a professional photo with your family and Santa. For more information or to register visit the Wauconda Park District website.

November 17 to 19

Friday November 17

Santa Makes Grand Entrance At Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills

Hawthorn shopping center in Vernon Hills plans to welcome Saint Nick on Friday, Nov. 17. Santa will make his grand entrance at the mall, 122 Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills, at 6 p.m. The event will run until 8 p.m. and will include free visits with Santa, meetings with Santa's elves, face painting, balloon twisting, crafts and musical entertainment, according to a news release from Hawthorn. The cost to register is $5 per child, and adults and children 2 years old and younger are free. Santa will remain at the mall through Dec. 24. More info.

Santa Arrives At Fashion Outlets, Rosemont

The magic of the holiday season will come alive at Fashion Outlets once Santa arrives on Nov. 17. at Center Court near the Food Court. Visits with Santa are free and photo packages are available for purchase. More info.

Light Show and Holiday Market Opens At Sonny Acres in West Chicago

The holiday market will open at Sonny Acres, 29W310 North Ave. in West Chicago, at 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 and be open on select dates throughout the holiday season. New this year is a holiday light show, which will also debut on Nov. 17 with Santa officially flipping the switch on the lights. More info.

Long Grove Holiday Walk, Long Grove

Long Grove will kick of the holiday season with a holiday walk from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the village's historic downtown business district. Stores will be open late for holiday shopping; there will be festive lights and window displays; carriage rides; illuminated photo stations; visits with Santa and the bridge lighting at 7:30 p.m. Vintage Holidays will continue on weekends through Dec. 23, with horse-drawn carriage rides, roaming carolers and Santa Claus on hand in town. More info.

Sparkle Light Festival in Rosemont opens for the holiday season on Nov. 17. The event will remain open through Dec. 31 and tickets and more information is available here.

Aurora Lights Festival in Aurora will run from 6 to 9 p.m. in downtown Aurora. An illuminated parade will step off at 6:30 p.m. and there will be a tree lighting ceremony following the parade. More info.

Saturday, November 18

Christmas on the Fox will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 19 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. The juried art show will include more than 100 crafters. Admission is $5. More info.

Light up the Park in Rosemont will take place at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place. Free ice skating is available at the Chicago Wolves ice rink starting at 11 a.m. and a variety family-friendly activities begin at 2 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. More info.

HALO Holiday Bazaar in McHenry will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 18 and from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 19 at The Church Of Holy Apostles, 5219 Bull Valley Road, McHenry. More info.

November 24 to 26

Friday, November 24

Festival of Lights Parade, Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake's popular Festival of Lights Parade will step off at 7 p.m. in downtown Crystal Lake. This year, there will be around 50 parade entries that will be showcasing displays of lights, music and holiday magic, including the much-anticipated final float featuring a jolly Santa Claus. The Christmas tree in Brink Street Market will be lit following the parade and then Santa's House will officially open for the holiday season. Santa will be taking visits this night and will continue to be open for free visits through Dec. 23.

Holiday Homecoming, St. Charles

Holiday Homecoming in St. Charles will kick off at 5 p.m. on Nov. 24 with the Lighting of the Lights ceremony in downtown St. Charles. Other highlights of holiday homecoming, including events on November 25, including the Electric Christmas Parade, which steps off at 5:30 p.m.; and a free holiday movie at 10 a.m. Santa's House in St. Charles will also officially open for the holiday season. More info.

Festival of Arts and Crafts in Grayslake will run be held Nov. 24 to 26 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. More info.

Small Business Saturday in Libertyville. More info.

December 1 to 3

Friday, December 1

Holiday Tree Lighting and Community Celebration, Fox River Grove

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Fox River Grove's Mayor Marc will help flip the switch on Fox River Grove's holiday tree at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. The event will also include pictures with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus, kids games and crafts, hot chocolate and cookies, local vendors and holiday caroling.

Saturday, December 2

Miracle on Main, Algonquin

Algonquin's Miracle on Main will kick off at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday on Main Street in Old Town Algonquin. The event will start with live music and holiday performances and will be followed by the lighting of the holiday tree.

Sunday, December 3

Merry Cary Parade & Festival, Cary

The Merry Cary Parade and Festival will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Cary. The festival will also include a petting zoo, pony rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides, caroling, visits with Santa and the "Holiday Grouch," cookie decorating and specialty coffee and hot drinks.

This list will be updated in the coming days and weeks with more events planned for the Crystal Lake and Cary area through the holiday season. Be sure to check back and feel free to text any information or events you think should be included to senior local editor Amie Schaenzer at 847-790-6417.