Christmas, Events In Tinley Park: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

TINLEY PARK, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in Tinley Park 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.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony in Tinley Park is at 6 p.m. on Friday at Zabrocki Plaza, which is located at 17375 S. Oak Park Ave.

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

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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.

Parades in Tinley Park may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

The Tinley Park Toyland Parade steps off at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday and runs between 174th St. and Zabrocki Plaza.

The Parade of Lights will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday with the viewing area at 175th Street along Oak Park Avenue.

The weekend events also feature old-fashioned carriage rides throughout downtown Tinley Park, holiday activities at Old Zion Landmark Church, and photos with Santa.