Christmas, Hanukkah Events Near Lisle: Parades, Lightings, More

LISLE, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in and around Lisle 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.

Lisle will host its Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.

In nearby Naperville, an ice menorah will be lit on Dec. 26. To view the menorah lighting, head to Naperville City Hall at 400 S. Eagle St. at 5:30 p.m. The festivities include hot chocolate and other goodies.

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.

Lisle's annual Santa Parade will step off from the intersection of School and Spencer Streets at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 3.

Also on Dec. 3, The Museums at Lisle Station Park will host Once Upon a Christmas from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature free visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with blacksmith demos, cider and hot chocolate.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Throughout the season, downtown Lisle will be aglow with painted windows and twinkling lights. Residents in nearby Wheaton will deck their houses out for the city's "Light Up Wheaton" holiday lights contest.