Joliet's Light Up The Holidays Parade Is Back, So Is Festival Of The Gnomes: 'I Say Go For It'

(The following edited press release is from Sydney Thompson at the city of Joliet.)

JOLIET, IL — From the first glow of the Christmas tree in City Square to Santa’s last trip through Joliet’s neighborhoods, the City of Joliet invites residents and visitors to spend part of
the holidays together. The season begins Friday, November 27, with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and continues in December with the 50th anniversary of the Festival of Gnomes, the debut of the Jingle & Mingle holiday market, and the annual Santa Send-Off.

“I hope everyone in Joliet finds something on this year’s holiday calendar that makes them excited to get out and spend time with the people they love,” said Mayor Terry D’Arcy. “Maybe it’s something you’ve done together for years, or maybe it’s an event you’re trying for the first time. Either way, I’m grateful to the people across Joliet who make these gatherings possible and give us so many reasons to get together. I hope you’ll bundle up, bring someone along, and
make a little time to celebrate with us. And if the kids ask to go to one more event, I say go for it.”

Christmas Tree Lighting & Light Up the Holidays – November 27

The City will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. in City Square (91 N. Chicago Street). Joliet residents Erin and Dan Drzymalla donated this year’s 30-foot Colorado Spruce, which stood at their family home for decades. The Drzymallas will help light the tree alongside beloved children’s characters Bluey and Bingo. The celebration will also feature a holiday choir, fireworks, and a rendition of “Jingle Bells” by Festival of the Gnomes actors from
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park.

The ceremony is part of the 29th annual Light Up the Holidays Festival & Parade, organized by the Joliet City Center Partnership. North Pole Park will bring family activities and entertainment to City Square from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. along Chicago Street. For festival and parade details, visit jolietccp.com.

The tree will remain on display through Sunday, January 10, 2027. Stop by for a photo and drop off a wish list in Santa’s Mailbox.

Festival of the Gnomes – December 5 & 6

The Festival of the Gnomes celebrates 50 years at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre (201 W. Jefferson Street). First presented in 1976 to mark the park’s opening, the festival brings European folklore to life through stories and music. Performances begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday,
December 5, and Sunday, December 6. Tickets are $5 and available here:
eventbrite.com/e/festival-of-the-gnomes-tickets-2004267030642?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Jingle & Mingle – December 11-12 and 18-19
Get your holiday shopping kicks on Route 66 at Jingle & Mingle, a new holiday market hosted by the City of Joliet and Chicago Street Markets. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 11, Saturday, December 12, Friday, December 18, and Saturday, December 19, in City Square and features local vendors, seasonal treats, live entertainment, family activities, and photos with Santa. Jingle & Mingle is presented by Harrah’s Joliet, with support from the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority, Rock Run Collection at Cullinan Properties, Garrett’s Popcorn, D’Arcy
Buick GMC, and Joliet Chamber of Commerce. Rock Run Collection at Cullinan Properties will also sponsor the Santa photo opportunity.

Santa Send-Off – December 19

Joliet Police, Fire, and Public Works will escort Santa through Joliet neighborhoods during the annual Santa Send-Off. The motorcade will begin at 10 a.m. at Woodruff and Draper Avenues and end at Ridge and Caton Farm Roads. The route is expected to take roughly 80 minutes. A parade route will be posted to the City's website in the coming weeks.

For more information about the City’s holiday events, please visit joliet.gov.