Highwood Holiday Lights and 12 Drinks of Christmas, Cookie Crawl

HIGHWOOD, IL (November 18, 2017) — Celebrate the start of the holidays at Highwood’s 4th annual “Celebrate Highwood" tradition as they light up Downtown Highwood for the 2017 Holiday season on Saturday, November 18th from from 2-7 p.m. at City Hall Park (17 Highwood Ave). Featuring two horse drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, s’more making, holiday music and performances, the 12 Drinks of Christmas, Cookie Walk and holiday windows contest will have something for everyone.

City Hall Park will transform into celebration central when Santa arrives by fire truck at 4:45 p.m. Attendees are invited to take pictures with Santa, and the Highland Park Fire Department will offer children the opportunity to ‘touch the fire truck’. There will be two horse drawn carriages offering rides for $5 per family, and festive holiday music.

Revel in magical holiday spirit with the lighting of Downtown Highwood at the Official Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. followed by a live holiday performance by TPS REMIXED, Highwood’s Performer’s School’s a cappella group.

A dozen of Highwood’s favorite establishments, including Art of Beer, Disotto, The Humble Pub, Marco’s North Side Grill, Nite ‘N Gale, Santis Gardens, Teddy O’Brians, Toadstool Pub and more will offer a drinkable homage to the Twelve days of Christmas. Dubbed the “12 Drinks of Christmas,” creative holiday concoctions will be available to drink from 2-close as the Highwood restaurants and bars celebrate the kick-off to the holiday season. Participants can pick up their passport to the 12 Drinks of Christmas and enjoy their first drink at the Celebrate Highwood booth. A cash bar will be set up in front of City Hall from 2 to 7 p.m., while participants enjoy the festivities at City Hall Park. Passports will be available for pick up at The Humble Pub after City Hall Park closes at 7 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to get their passports ‘stamped’ at each stop to hand in at any of the participating restaurants and bars at the end of their night, to be eligible for a raffle drawing.

New this year will be a Family Cookie Walk, where kids can collect delicious holiday cookies (and decorate some too!) at businesses throughout Downtown Highwood including the Hair Designs by Steve, the Highwood Library, Maria’s Bakery, McMahon Studio, Silk Thumb, and more! Passport pickup will be available for the Cookie Walk at Highwood City Hall starting at 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. with 12 Drinks of Christmas passports available for pickup until 7 at the Celebrate Highwood tent, then will be available at The Humble Pub after that time. The Cookie Walk passport will be available for drop-off at the Celebrate Highwood tent and the 12 Drinks passport can be dropped off at any participated businesses for a chance to win prizes!

Everyone is encouraged to give back this holiday season and help Highwood collect non-perishable food for Moraine Township Food Pantry to help others in the community. There will also be a Toys For Tots program with drop-offs available from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the event.

Attendees can stroll the streets of town, to view the holiday windows and cast their vote for their favorite at The Chamber of Commerce booth.

For more information on all of Highwood’s festivals, please visit www.CelebrateHighwood.com, or call 847-432-6000. For updates on all Celebrate Highwood events, please visit the City of Highwood Facebook page, or follow Celebrate Highwood @CityofHighwood on Twitter.