Christmas, Holiday Events In Romeoville: Parade, Tree Lighting

ROMEOVILLE, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in Romeoville 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.

Romeoville residents can first enjoy a holiday parade before the Holiday Lights Festival begins in Romeoville on Dec. 2.

The holiday parade steps off at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2, from Fire Station No. 3. Santa and Buddy the Elf will parade through Romeoville before making their way to Village Hall to join the festival.

Then, the Holiday Lights Festival begins on Dec. 2 with the tree lighting will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at Village Hall, 1050 W. Romeo Road. There will also be live ice sculpting by Nate Johnson Studios, reindeer from Whispering Pines, and a holiday train. Food vendors will be on-site, and there will be characters like Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff from "Frozen," Santa, Buddy the Elf and The Grinch.

Musical performances on Friday include, Grand Haven Theatre Company and Madrigal groups from Plainfield Central High School.

The festival continues on Dec. 3 and includes live ice sculpting by Nate Johnson Studios, reindeer from Whispering Pines and the holiday train will also be available on Saturday. Food vendors will again be on-site, and there will be character visits with Rudolph, the Abominable Snowman, Jack Frost, Santa and The Grinch.

Photos with Santa will also be available each night of the festival. It is $8 per family. You will use your own device to take photos, and each child will receive a small gift from Santa. You can register online for the photos.

You can also head to the White Oak Library District-Romeoville Branch to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the holiday open house on Dec. 8.

The free, family-friendly event will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a photo opportunity and a singing performance from the Claus' at 5:30 p.m.

Cookies and hot cocoa will be served, as well as crafts for all ages. No registration is needed for the event.