Aurora Winter Lights Return After 2 Years: Here's What To Expect

AURORA, IL — Aurora's Winter Lights festivities are returning to the city for the first time in two years Friday. Starting at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Downer Place and Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora, the city has a host of activities planned.

The Winter Lights Parade will kick off the activities for the night at 6:30 p.m. Traveling from Water Street to River Street on Downer Place, the parade will be led by Little Mr. Aurora Peter Schmidt and Little Miss Aurora Romina Esparza, who will be accompanied by Santa and Mrs. Claus plus several other costumed performers, community groups, performers and public safety vehicles.

A tree-lighting ceremony will also take place this night, meaning the Christmas tree in Aurora will be illuminated for a little more than a month before the holiday season. The activity will start at the GAR Memorial Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, after the parade.

Subscribe to Patch’s free Aurora newsletter and get real-time email alerts.

A downtown window display will also be awarded for its decoration during the ceremony, where the community will countdown as the city's official Christmas tree will be lit.

The activities won't stop there. A fireworks extravaganza, sponsored by Chicago Premium Outlets, will start immediately following the ceremony. City officials said the best place to view the show will be on the East Downer Place Bridge near Aurora City Hall, at 44 E. Downer Place. It might get crowded there, so it may be best to plan ahead.

Holiday festivities wouldn't be complete without visits with Santa Claus, and kids can start to see the jolly man at Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, starting at 7:30 p.m. Officials said masks will be required since it's an indoor activity, but they can be briefly removed for photos.

Throughout the night, guests will be able to shop local vendors and get an early start to holiday gifting at the Winter Lights Winter Market at Artisan Lofts Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave. The market will be open from 6-9 p.m. For bites to eat, Small Cakes, Home Run Hot Dogs, Holy Pierogi, Grumpy Gaucho and Dapper Brews will bring their food trucks to the event. The Food Truck Court will also be located on Stolp Avenue, between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Aurora Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!)