Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Northbrook: Parades, Tree Lightings

NORTHBROOK, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in Northbrook 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.

A Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held on Nov. 26 at The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook.

Two holiday light shows are back in Northbrook this season — Shine Light Show and Willow Hill Lights Show.

Shine Light Show runs through Jan. 1, 2023. Reserved ticketing begins at 6 p.m. every night, with the last time slot available at 9:30 p.m. Only one ticket is required per vehicle and starts at $32.99 on the weeknights, according to a news release. Weekends, select days and holidays are $42.99 per vehicle entry. Limited quantities of Fast Pass tickets are also available to ensure an expedited entry into the show, ideal for the busier weekend hours.

Willow Hill Lights Showis a drive-through holiday lights show and runs through Jan. 1, 2023. The lights display is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The family-friendly event features a 1.6 mil route, with over one million lights, three drive-through tunnels and a 30-foot Christmas tree, according to a news release. Entrance is on Willow Road near Route 43 (Waukegan Road), between I-94 and I-294, at 1350 Willow Road. The cost is $40 per standard vehicle. Call ahead for bus or limo prices – no RV’s or trailers.

A Chanukah Party is planned for 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18, at Nickel City Games, 555 Waukegan Road, Northbrook. The event is organized by the Shomrim Society of Illinois. There will be food, entertainment, games and the traditional candle-lighting ceremony. Find out more here.

RELATED: Where To Buy Or Cut Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree In Northbrook

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.

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.

Northbrook Theatre is presenting, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a hilarious Christmas classic about a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant. The show is 1 p.m. Dec. 17. The cost per ticket is $14. Find out more here.