Orland To Welcome Holiday Season With Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, Debut Of 'Winter WondORLAND' Series

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Village of Orland Park will welcome the 2026 holiday season with its free annual Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Festival at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Orland Park Village Green, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave.

The holiday festivities will continue into December with the brand-new Winter WondORLAND event series, featuring free outdoor activities on three consecutive Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Holiday Lights on Ravinia Parade and Drone Show

The holiday cheer begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, with the Holiday Lights on Ravinia parade. Traveling north on Ravinia Avenue from 151st Street to 147th Street, the parade features more than 40 community units — including Scouts, church and youth groups, dance troupes, marching bands and local businesses.

Immediately following the parade, the Carl Sandburg High School Chamber Singers will lead the community in traditional carols outside Village Hall. At approximately 6 p.m., Mayor Jim Dodge and attendees will countdown to the official lighting of the Village Christmas Tree, followed by a holiday-themed drone light show projected over the John Humphrey Complex.

The event is presented by Mazda of Orland Park.

Festival and Indoor-Outdoor Activities

• Santa’s arrival and photos: Visitors can meet Santa Claus inside Village Hall by the 20-foot tree and train set. Children will receive a free plush giveaway starting at 6 p.m. while supplies last.
• Character meet-and-greets: Rudolph, Clarice Reindeer and members of the 501st Midwest Garrison and the Defenders Detachment will meet guests on the Village Green after the parade.
• Civic Center activities: The Annex Room will host performances by local dance groups, holiday market vendors and sponsor giveaways. The Exhibition Room will feature winter-themed crafts, a walk-in snow globe photo spot and the Gingerbread Toddler Playland. Holiday coloring contest entries and winners will be on display in the Grand Hallway.
• Warming and refreshments: Visitors can view the illuminated decor displays on the lawn, warm up by outdoor fire pits or purchase hot chocolate from The Creamery inside the Civic Center or at their outdoor food truck as well as other delicious refreshments from other outside food vendors.

Street Closures and Parking

Parade Street Closures (Saturday, Nov. 28):

• Ravinia Avenue (151st Street to 149th Street): Closed 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., or until police deem safe to reopen.
• Ravinia Avenue (144th Street to 149th Street): Closed 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., or until police deem safe to reopen.

Parking Options

• General parking:. Orland Park Public Library, Orland Park Police Department, Peoples Bank, John Humphrey Complex, Orland Park Bakery, Walgreens and Michaels. Parking is available before streets close and after streets reopen at the Village Hall, Civic Center, Franklin Loebe Center and Recreation Administration Building lots.
• ADA/accessible parking: Accessible parking is available in the Village Hall northeast lot. Vehicles must enter from 147th Street at the roundabout before 4:45 p.m. and cannot exit until streets reopen. Additional ADA spots are available at Peoples Bank, 14701 S. Ravinia Ave., on a first-come, first-served basis.

Winter WondORLAND Event Series

The holiday season extends into December with free outdoor Saturday events on the Village Green from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The events will feature an iceless skating rink, food trucks, a live DJ, costumed characters, lighting displays and decorated trees:

• Dec. 5: Iceless skating rink, roaming carolers, and character meet-and-greets with Elf on the Shelf and the Gingerbread Man.
• Dec. 12: Iceless skating rink, live reindeer, and character meet-and-greets with The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.
• Dec. 19: Iceless skating rink, live ice carving demonstration, and character meet-and-greets with Anna, Elsa and Olaf.

Limited skates are available per day, and time limits may apply. Activities are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

For parade entry details, weather updates or parking information, visit orlandpark.org/christmasfest or call the Recreation and Parks Department at 708-403-5000.