Seasonal & Holidays
Arlington Heights Christmas, Hanukkah Events: Concerts, Tree Lightings
Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in Arlington Heights 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 Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Arlington Heights was held on Nov. 25. If you're looking to attend a nearby Christmas tree lighting, head over to Des Plaines on Friday. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a celebration is planned for Metropolitan Square, Lee Street. There will be live entertainment, a special appearance by Santa, a variety of food trucks and a chance to admire the trees decorated by local community groups.
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A Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting is planned for 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in North School Park, 307 North Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights.
A festive evening of holiday and winter-themed music is scheduled for Sunday in Arlington Heights. The Northwest Choral Society will present, "What Sweeter Music," at 4 p.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 916 Central Road.
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The choir is led by Thomas Colao, artistic director, and Lori Lyn Mackie, associate artistic director and collaborative pianist.
If you're looking to have a delicious breakfast while also meeting Santa Claus, make sure to head over to American Legion Post 208 on Sunday. Breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to noon at 121 N. Douglas Ave., with Santa arriving at 10 a.m. and staying until noon.
The all-you-can-eat breakfast, which is open to the public, is $10 for adults, $5 for veterans and $5 for kids under 12. Breakfast includes: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, pancakes, hash brown potatoes, fruit, coffee, orange juice and milk.
Hoping to shed those leftover Thanksgiving pounds? The Rotary Club's Santa 5K run, 1-mile walk and reindeer dash is planned for Saturday in Arlington Heights. Find out more information here.
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.
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