Festival of Lights Parade Is Friday; Merry Cary Parade Is Dec. 5

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The Festival of Lights parade will step off this Friday in downtown Crystal Lake.

The parade starts at about 7 p.m. The parade route begins near the municipal complex, 100 W. Woodstock St. in Crystal Lake, and ends at the corner of North Williams Street and Crystal Lake Avenue. The full route can found below:

At the end of the parade, Santa will throw his magic dust to light the 40-foot community Christmas tree in downtown Crystal Lake. The 2021 theme for the parade is "A Toyland Christmas," according downtown Crystal Lake.

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Spectators must be up on the curbs during the parade. There will be no parking allowed along parade route which will include Caroline Street, Crystal Lake Avenue, Grant Street, Woodstock Street and Williams Street.

Vehicles should be off these streets after 5 p.m., and can be parked in public and commuter parking lots.

After the parade is over, Santa will start his visits with children at his house in Brink Street Market, which will be open throughout the holiday season.

Merry Cary Parade Is Dec. 5

The Merry Cary Parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Dec. 5 on Main Street with several holiday events are planned in downtown Cary that afternoon.

Here is a look at the schedule events for this year's Holiday Parade and Festival:

• 12 to 3 p.m.: Petting zoo and pony rides in the BMO Harris bank parking lot, 122 W. Main St., and horse-drawn sleigh rides will be available after the parade with a pickup near the Tracks Bar & Grill on West Main Street.
• 12 to 1 p.m.: Caring Hearts & Voices on Main Street activities will close before the parade begins at 1 p.m.
• 1 p.m.: The Merry Cary Parade steps off on Main Street.
• 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Visits with Santa at State Farm -Phil Horn agency, 111 W. Main St.; cookie decorating at Uncle Jerry's Pizza, 133 W. Main St.; and specialty coffee and hot drinks at Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters, 77 W. Main St.
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Story time with Mrs. Claus at lindambarrett studios, 25 W. Spring St. Registration for a 30-minute story time slot is available online.

More information is available on the Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce website.

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