Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Glenview: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

GLENVIEW, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in Glenview 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 Glenview Festival of Trees is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Park Center. The magical event will feature trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and community members. Find out more here.

A menorah lighting and gelt drop is planned for 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2500 East Lake Ave., Glenview. The event is being put on by the Chabad of Glenview and Morton Grove. Watch and catch chocolate gelt falling from the sky courtesy of the Glenview Fire Department. There will be hot cocoa, fresh latkes (donated by Trader Joe's), along with music and dancing.

If you're feeling festive, make sure to head to downtown Glenview on Dec. 2. The inaugural Holiday Greetings From Glenview Road is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The special evening will feature local shopping, holiday decor, live music and refreshments, all within an easy stroll right in the heart of Glenview. The event is being presented by Friends of Downtown Glenview and the Downtown Glenview Merchants.

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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.

The Glenview Holiday in the Park & Parade was held on Nov. 26. 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.