Holiday Event Highlights in the Barrington Area
The holiday season has arrived! Mark your calendars and make plans for some of the following holiday celebrations in the Barrington area.
Be sure to check out Barrington SCOOP’s full community events calendar at barringtonscoop.com/events - updated regularly - and stay tuned for more local holiday coverage.
Are you hosting a holiday event that you want the community to know about? Upload it to our events calendar HERE.
Santa’s Arrival and Fireworks at Deer Park Town Center
Saturday, November 16, 2024 (6 - 8:30 p.m.)
Count down with Santa as he turns on the holiday lights and enjoy a fireworks show with a finale honoring veterans.
SANTA’ S ARRIVAL & TREE LIGHTING
Enjoy a special performance by Those Funny Little People starting at 6 p.m. Santa arrives in the Lake Zurich fire truck following the performance. Don’t miss the magical fireworks show with a finale honoring our veterans.
VISITS & PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Santa will be available for visits and free photos until 8:30 p.m. A photographer will be on-site and photos will be posted in an album on the Deer Park Town Center Facebook page within 72 hours after the event. Kids who visit with Santa will receive a free pouch of magical reindeer food, while supplies last. Photos with Santa take place outdoors, near the tree. Please be courteous, one photo per family with personal camera permitted.
FIREWORKS
Fireworks show begins at approximately 6:30 p.m. Arrive early, parking lots fill up fast. Event takes place near the traffic circle. Please note that areas behind the movie theatre to behind Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn will be closed due to the fireworks safety perimeter, no vehicle or pedestrian access.
THE GLOW ZONE
Stand out at the event and light the way for Santa! Look for the Glow Zone mobile carts at the event and choose from a variety of holiday themed light up necklaces, hats and wands, available for purchase.
FOOD TRUCKS
My Funnel Truck- selling hot and fresh funnel cakes, hot chocolate & more.
Kissed by Fire BBQ Truck- selling BBQ sandwiches & wood fired pizza.
Learn more here:
Tree Lighting, Light Show and Parade at The Arb
Saturday, November 16, 2024 (5 p.m.)
Join The Arboretum of South Barrington as they light up The Arb and kick off the holiday season.
Fun festivities include meet and greets with Christmas characters, balloon art, face painters, stilt walkers, strolling magic, and more! This holiday experience is filled with lights, music, dancing, and fun for the community.
A holiday parade begins at 5PM with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, The Grinch, and many costume characters down Main Street Road ending in Main Street Plaza.
After the parade, meet & greet with the costume characters.
DJ Marty B. brings the Dance Party following the tree lighting until 7PM with all the costume characters and Santa.
Plus, hear a live show with Joe & Tina from Star 105.5 McHenry County, and sip hot chocolate from Calibre Coffee.
Learn more here:
https://www.shopthearb.com/event/Tree-Lighting-Ceremony/2145586103/
Light Up Long Grove and Holiday Kickoff
Friday, November 22, 2024 (6 - 8 p.m.)
Discover why Long Grove was named as one of the “10 best Christmas towns in America” by FOX News. On Friday, November 22, 6–8 pm, the town welcomes you to join its historic downtown business district as they light up town for the holiday season.
Stores open late for holiday shopping
Enjoy festive lights, window displays and more at individual businesses and throughout town
Illuminated photo stations around town
Visit with Santa (schedule of locations TBD)
Bridge Lighting at 7:30 pm with guest appearance by Village President, Bill Jacob
Enjoy Long Grove all season long with horse drawn carriage rides, holiday carolers, visits with Sants and much more.
Learn more here:
Barrington’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Join the tradition of family and friends running the Turkey Trot and support Barrington Giving Day, a non-profit serving the Barrington community for over 80 years!
Donations Appreciated: new or gently used items for children, teens and adults. Specifically hats, gloves, scarves, boots, and winter jackets.
Montary donations are also appreciated by check or venmo: venmo@barringtongivingday.
Where: Citizen’s Park Pavilion parking lot by the enrance to Cuba Marsh.
No sign up or registration is required.
Come gather and celebrate with neighbors in the spirit of gratitude and giving.
Holiday Open House at Barrington’s White House
Saturday, December 7, 2024 (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Join Barrington’s White House for a festive, family-friendly event during the Village’s Holiday Festival.
Stroll through the beautifully decorated open house and visit Santa.
Enjoy cookies, refreshments, and take family photos in front of the stunning Christmas tree.
With fun activities for all ages, this event is perfect for creating holiday memories with your loved ones. Pre registration is required.
Learn more and register click here:
https://www.barringtonswhitehouse.com/event/holiday-open-house-2/
Barrington Dance Ensemble’s “The Nutcracker”
Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8, 2024 (Various times)
Barrington Dance Ensemble (BDE) is hosting its annual production of one of Barrington’s most popular holiday traditions, The Nutcracker.
The Christmas centerpiece and classic ballet will run four performances from December 6-8, 2024 at Barrington High School’s Richard C. Johnson Auditorium located at 616 West Main Street in Barrington. Guest artists from National and Chicago regional dance companies, including the Milwaukee Ballet and Giordano Dance Chicago, perform lead soloist roles and are joined by more than 100 performers from the Northwest Chicago suburbs.
Performances will take place on Friday, December 6, 7:00pm; Saturday, December 7, 2:00pm and 7:00 pm; and Sunday, December 8, 2:00 pm.
Prices range from $25 to $38.
To learn more and to purchase, please call 847-382-6333 or visit barringtondance.org.
Village of Barrington’s Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, December 7, 2024 (2 - 6 p.m.)
Visit the Village of Barrington at the BMO Lot and Cook Street and enjoy the annual holiday activities including visits with Santa, hot chocolate, a tree lighting and more.
More details to come soon.
Learn more here:
https://www.barrington-il.gov/events/village-holiday-festival-treelighting-ceremony/
Miracle on Main Street in Lake Zurich
Saturday, December 7, 2024 (3 - 6:30 p.m.)
This special evening in downtown Lake Zurich includes a visit from Santa Claus and is sure to be a memorable event for your child.
The event will feature a beautiful 35 foot tree that will be on display for the holiday season, an opportunity to meet Santa and his reindeer along with entertainment by Lake Zurich High School’s Bare Voices & Blue Notes Show Choir, Peace Lutheran Bell Choir, a DJ and the Academy of Performing Arts. There will be children’s crafts, reindeer, sleigh rides, adult beverages, and food vendors. Hot cocoa provided by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce and hot cider provided by the Lions Club.
Miracle on Main Street is sponsored by the Village of Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Zurich Lions Club, Lake Zurich Tire and Auto Inc., Moore Orthodontics, Grand Dental and Prairieland Disposal.
Get there early as the annual Lake Zurich Lions Club Candy Cane Hunt begins in Lions Park as Miracle on Main Street begins at 3 pm in Lions Park
Location: Downtown Lake Zurich, Rotary Park, 7 E. Main Street
3rd Annual Community Holiday Tea at Barrington’s White House
Sunday, December 8, 2024 (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
A city-inspired, sophisticated, adults-only afternoon tea right here at our own Barrington’s White House.
Celebrate the holidays with the 3rd Annual Community Holiday Tea at Barrington’s White House. Create a new tradition with a city-inspired, sophisticated, adults-only afternoon tea. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of our historic mansion with your girlfriends, moms, and sisters. Indulge in hot tea, scones, finger sandwiches, champagne, wine, and more. This elegant event is designed for women 21 and older, offering a perfect way to ring in the holiday season with style and grace.
Learn more here:
Home for the Holidays: A Musical Celebration with Barrington High School Alumni & Friends
December 22, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Barrington High School alumni and musical friends share their musical journeys and holiday music.
Celebrate the season with “Home for the Holidays,” a special event featuring Barrington High School alumni and musical friends. Hosted by former BHS Choir Director Nancie Tobison, this festive evening includes holiday music and showcases the musical journeys of alumni. Enjoy heartwarming performances and expressions of musical tributes, as the community comes together to share in the joy of the holidays. Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the season with our talented local musicians.
Learn more here: