Submitted by Diane Bausman, Executive Director Blackhawk Waterways CVB
Every Friday and Saturday from Dec 2nd thru the 23rd, the Prophetstown First Responders are hosting the annual Light Up the Park drive-through light display at Prophetstown State Park. This event is free but donations will be accepted.
December 3rd Erie will celebrate Hometown Holidays with a free, family-friendly event celebrating the holiday season from 3-8p.m. There will be visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, soup supper at the Methodist Church, a tree lighting and lighted parade through the downtown, a drive thru nativity at Erie Christian Church and more.
Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday thru December 23rd you can drive thru the Holiday Light Display at Centennial Park in Rock Falls where local businesses, churches, schools, and other community organizations have decorated the shelters, fire truck, school house, caboose, fence lines, and green space throughout the park with dazzling lights & holiday displays for all to enjoy! Hours are 5:30 to 8:30 pm and admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Opening December 1st and running through the 11th Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt Carroll presents their special Christmas production – Plaid Tidings. For anyone who loves the musical, Forever Plaid, this is a must-see! The legendary Plaids come back to Earth to spread yuletide joy with the greatest holiday hits of the ages! Go to the website for ticket information – timberlakeplayhouse.org
Now thru Dec 11th The Savanna Festival of Trees is on display at the Museum & Cultural Center with over 50 beautifully decorated trees. Hours are Mon thru Fri 4pm to 7pm and noon to 5pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Friday December 2nd Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts will appear live and on stage at Rosbrook Studio in downtown Dixon. This event is a fundraiser to support this premier music venue and doors open at 6:30. Go to the Rosbrook fundraiser FB page for ticket information.
December 2nd starting at 5pm, Fulton will hold their downtown Christmas Walk with in-store specials, music, a live nativity in front of the Windmill, kids activities and more!
Dec. 2nd starting at 5pm the Seasonal Sights and Sounds of Christmas celebration will take place in downtown Sterling. The tree lighting at library plaza will feature live music and the arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus. There will also be activities for the kids, horse and carriage rides, extended business hours, and fireworks over the riverfront begin at 8 pm. Go to the sterlingmainstreet.org website for a full list of activities.
December 2nd the Dixon Christmas Walk starts at 5pm at KSB Hospital with a Tree Lighting ceremony. There will be free photos with Santa Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, strolling carolers, face painting, live music and much more! Follow the event on FB for all the details.
December 2nd Mt Carroll will start the holiday season at 4:30 with a meet & greet with Santa & Mrs Claus at the library followed by the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree in the courthouse square at 6:00 pm. A Holiday Market will be held both Friday and Saturday at the corner of Market & Main Streets inside the Kraft Building where many vendors will be set up for Holiday Shopping. Hours are Friday from 3 to 8 pm and Saturday from 9 to 2. Follow the event FB page for more details.
December 2nd & 3rd the Morrison Community Hospital Foundation will hold its annual Holiday Tour of Homes featuring 5 homes in Morrison decorated for the holidays. Hours are Friday from 2:00 PM-8:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Go to the Holiday Tour of Homes FB page for ticket information.
Dec 3rd the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making stops in both Byron & Savanna to take food donations and raise funds for area food pantries. In Byron, the train will stop on Tower road near the high school at 11:45 and the show will run until 12:30. The train will then travel to Savanna and stop at Bowen Street west of the depot. The train is scheduled to arrive at 2:15pm, and the show will run until 3:00pm.
December 3rd Heritage Canyon in Fulton is hosting a Christmas Walk from noon to 6:00pm. The Early American Crafters will be inside the buildings demonstrating life skills from Christmas’s past and Santa and his elves will be there for kids of all ages to see and bring their letters to. In addition, as darkness sets in, luminaries are lit and hung throughout the canyon to add to the Christmas feeling. There is no admission fee and there will be free cookies and hot drinks.
December 3rd at 5:30 Morrison will hold their Christmas Walk that includes a parade, in-store specials, businesses decorated for the holidays, Santa, and more. Check out their FB page for details.
December 4th the Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle will host their annual Flight Deck the Halls from 9 until 2. Along with over 40 vendors, there will be music and dance performances, holiday drinks and food, a make & take kids station, photos with Santa and more. Check out the Flight Deck the Halls FB page for details.
For more details go to the ‘what’s happening’ section of visitnorthwestillinois.com
