The holiday season is officially underway, and the calendar is about to turn festive on both sides of the state line. Tree lightings land next week, a parade of lights takes over a downtown street, and Thanksgiving week stacks turkey trots, courthouse-square ceremonies and some of the region's best tree lightings of the year. I went back through the village pages, city calendars and park district sites this week and verified everything below, so you can plan ahead with confidence. As always, give each host a quick check before you head out, since dates and hours can shift.
A quick archive note
The Veterans Day ceremonies came and went with warmth: Orland Park at the Civic Center, Crown Point on the courthouse steps and Munster at the Community Veterans Memorial all honored those who served. And the season's first big kickoffs are now open: the World of Illumination's Cosmic Sleighride drive-through light show runs at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park from November 13 through January 3, most nights from 6 to 10 p.m., with tickets sold online per car. If you have not been yet, this is the stretch to go.
Friday, November 20: Tinley Park lights its tree
Tinley Park holds its Village Christmas Tree Lighting at Harmony Square on Friday, November 20, with a holiday sing-along starting at 5:30 p.m. and the tree lighting at 6 p.m. It is a classic small-town evening: downtown lights, familiar songs and the whole square gathered together, and it sets the tone for the weekends ahead.
Saturday, November 21: a parade of lights in Mokena, and Munster lights the night
Mokena's Christmas Parade and Parade of Lights rolls down Front Street on Saturday, November 21, stepping off at 5 p.m. between Wolf Road and Division Street, with food trucks on hand from 4 to 8 p.m. The Mokena Chamber of Commerce hosts, and it is one of those nights when the whole village lines the street.
Across the state line, Munster holds Light the Night on Saturday, November 21 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Munster Town Hall. The Town of Munster's calendar lists it as an evening gathering with the community, so check the town's page for the full lineup planned around the lights.
Thanksgiving morning, November 26: earn that pie
If you like earning your Thanksgiving, three runs are on the calendar. Orland Park's Turkey Trot steps off at 8 a.m. from the Franklin Loebe Center at 14650 South Ravinia Avenue, and registration closes November 15 or when the field fills, so sign up early. The Crete Community Runners Association holds its 4th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk in Crete, and Thornton runs its own Turkey Trot, both on Thanksgiving morning. A brisk run, a warm meal, a very good day.
Friday, November 27: Crown Point lights the tank and the tree
Crown Point's Tree and Tank Lighting is one of the region's most charming traditions. The tank lights up at 6 p.m. at Main and Goldsborough, and the tree follows at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Lake County Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Square. There is something special about a historic square, a restored tank and a tree all glowing at once, and it is free to gather and watch.
Saturday, November 28: a full day of holiday starts
Orland Park closes the week with its Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Festival at the Village Center on South Ravinia Avenue: the Holiday Lights on Ravinia parade steps off at 5 p.m., the tree lights up at 6 p.m., and a holiday market with Santa and live entertainment runs until 8 p.m.
Valparaiso stacks its own celebration the same evening: the Valpo Parks Winter Fest and Tree Lighting at Central Park Plaza runs from 5 to 7 p.m., with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. It is free, with caroling, Santa photos, hot cocoa and the downtown ice rink, a wonderful way to end a long weekend downtown.
If you would rather shop than sing, Crown Point's Winter Market opens Saturday, November 28 at 10 a.m. at 401 West Joliet Street. And a little farther out, the Sunset Hill Farm Holiday Lights drive-through in Valparaiso starts its free display in late November at the Porter County park, so you can add it to the list for the weeks ahead.
A look further ahead, already verified
Frankfort's Lighting of the Green lands Thursday, December 3 at Breidert Green, with details to be announced by the village. New Lenox's Christmas in the Commons kicks off Saturday, December 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Village Commons, running Saturdays and Sundays through December 20 with the light display up all month. Tinley Park's Holiday Market and Parade of Lights return December 5 and 6, and the World of Illumination keeps glowing in Orland Park through January 3. I will have the full December lineup verified in the posts ahead.
Make the most of the season
You do not need a big production to feel the holidays arrive. A tree lighting on a Friday night, a parade down Front Street, a Thanksgiving-morning run through town: these small traditions are what make a place feel like home. And if you are weighing a move, this is the perfect stretch to come visit and test the fit. Wander the holiday market, watch the tree light up, feel the town gather. That is when you know. When you are ready, I would love to be in your corner. You Can With Joanne!™