Once the Thanksgiving feast is over and the leftovers are stashed, it’s time to usher in the Christmas season. This year, several seasonal events are on tap as downtown Downers Grove presents “It’s a Wonderful Weekend,” Nov. 27 through 29.
There’s a new schedule this year, kicking off with the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday rather than the usual Sunday after Thanksgiving. While you’re waiting for the big event, vote for your favorite gingerbread house at the Downtown Management Corp. offices and enjoy apple cider and cookies inside the train station, compliments of Downers Grove Family Medicine.
New this year, more than 70 businesses will light the streets with luminaria in advance of the tree ceremony. Want your own luminaria? As a winter fundraiser, the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club will be selling kits near Santa’s house at Main Street and Curtiss Avenue from 4-7 p.m. Friday and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.
The kits, which include enough bags, candles and sand for eight luminaries, are $10 each, or $8 each for three or more.
Speaking of lights, come 4:30 p.m., the mayor will flip the switch to light the giant tree. Donated by Joan Allen, the tree will feature more than 1,072 homemade ornaments created by 69 different organizations and individuals.
Caroling by the Downers Grove Choral Society will follow.
Saturday, Nov. 28, is shopping day, with holiday specials available throughout the downtown. There also will be a Holiday Fashion Show hosted by Jolie Boutique at noon at Capri Ristorante. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the restaurant, 630-241-0695.
The Santa Parade is set for 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29., followed by a cookie walk, carriage rides and visits with Santa in his house until 4 p.m. Look for the live reindeer will be pawing the ground. There will also be a Kids Korner where the young ones can shop and get free gift wrapping. And don’t forget to vote for your favorite gingerbread house!
All these events just mark the start of the holiday season. Santa will be available in his house through the month of December, carolers will be on hand every Saturday and downtown shops will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Also coming in December is the Holiday Classic Film Festival at the Tivoli. Look for Miracle on 34th Street on Sunday, Dec.13; A Christmas Story on Monday, Dec. 14, 3 Godfathers on Tuesday, Dec. 15 (all at 7 and 9:30 p.m.) and White Christamas at 1:30, 4, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16.
The Tivoli will also host the West Towns Chorus presentation of The Gift of Christmas at 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11; 2 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 and 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13.
Know of more holiday cheer? Add it here.
Wondring how much this weekend event cost the Village? If we as residents volunteered to put up all the Christmas tree lights along main street instead of PW would that save HF?
It was a nice evening and the crowd was happy to be there to see the annual tree lighting. Thanks DG!
Editor’s note: I’ve edited out your rhetorical question, heart, because 1) it’s been established that the person in question will not comment here and 2) it’s really none of our business anyway.