Festive Fun Awaits As Holly Days Kicks Off In Westmont

WESTMONT, IL — Holiday cheer will fill the air throughout downtown Evanston in November and December, now that the village's Holly Days festivities have begun. The seasonal events, which include Santa visits, the tree lighting, a jamboree and elf tryouts, kicked off Sunday with a holiday-themed craft bazaar.

Here's a look at what else Westmont has in store for Holly Days 2022.

Family Ornament Decorating at Westmont Public Library

Dec. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Head to Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass Ave., to use their art supplies to decorate ornaments. Each visitor can decorate two ornaments, one of which they can take home and another which will adorn the tree at the library.

Snow Much Fun Event Veterans Memorial Park

Dec. 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Park will transform into a winter wonderland for the Snow Much Fun event, which feature an oversized snow globe, Santa Claus' sleigh and an inflatable slide. Guests can take rides in a wagon pulled by a mule, see rescue huskies pulling a sled, make S'mores and play games. Food trucks will be on hand, so visitors can buy refreshments.

Westmont High School Holiday Craft Show

Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Westmont High School will host its 31st Annual Holiday Craft show on Dec. 3, boasting roughly 100 vendor booths, live music and more. Some of the items for sale include handmade jewelry, artisanal pottery, crocheted accessories and other knickknacks. Proceeds from the shows booth rentals are used to help fund programs for the Westmont High School band.

Frosty and Friends Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.

Westmont's 2022 Frosty and Friends Parade will start at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Chicago and Cass Avenues. The parade will make its way to Quincy Street Entertainment, where parade goers can stop for photographs with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the village's tree lighting ceremony.

Take-Home Holiday Crafts for Adults

Dec. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Grownups can stop at Westmont Public Library to grab supplies to make their own holiday crafts at home.

Elf Tryouts

Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

Those who aspire to be an elf this holiday season can visit the Westmont Park District, 55 E. Richmond St. to compete in Elf Tryouts. The elf-themed challenges include candy cane target practice, jingle bell jumping jacks, a chimney toss, a naughty or nice test and other festive feats. The fee for residents is $30 and the fee for nonresidents is $40. Click the link to register for Elf Tryouts.

Kris Kringle Pub Tour

Dec. 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If you're 21 or older, you can don a Santa hat or other holiday gear to join the Kris Kringle Pub Tour as it makes its way in and out of bars in downtown Westmont. The stops include DJ's Bar and Grill, Johnny's Blitz, NEAT Kitchen, Pot Belly Pub and The Uptown. Tickets are $18 per person. Click the link for tickets to the Kris Kringle Pub Tour.

Holly Jolly Jamboree

Dec. 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Westmont's new Holly Jolly Jamboree includes several fun activities, from Christmas singalongs and face painting to cookie decorating and a hot chocolate bar. The fee for adult residents is $8 and it's $12 for adult nonresidents. The registration fee is $10 for kids 14 and under who are residents and $14 for kids 14 and under who are nonresidents. Kids two years old and younger get in for free. Click the link to register for the Holly Jolly Jamboree.

Breakfast with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph

Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and other goodies with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Westmont Park District Administration Building, 55 E. Richmond. Kids will be able to meet with Santa in his workshop to share their Christmas wishes at this fun holiday event, which also features a performance.

The cost to attend is between $24 and $28. Children two years old and younger can attend for free. Click for additional information about Breakfast with Santa.

Drop-In Winter Crafts at Westmont Public Library

The library will host winter animal-themed crafts on Dec. 21 and snowflake-themed crafts on De. 27. Both sessions will be available for drop-in visits from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The winter fun in Westmont also includes Holly Days Food Drive through Dec. 16 at the following locations:

• Westmont Centre
• Westmont Fire Department
• Westmont Park District Community Center
• Westmont Police Department
• Westmont Public Library

Click the link for more information about other Holly Days events, including phone calls from Santa Claus.