Oswego’s Christmas Walk Celebration offers a number of activities, including ice-carving demonstrations. This year’s celebration is set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. (Photo courtesy of village of Oswego)

Communities plan celebrations, tree-lighting ceremonies and more

The holiday season soon will be upon us, and our local communities are ready to celebrate.

A number of events and activities are planned, from tree-lighting ceremonies to parades, from hayrides to trolley tours, and, of course, visits with Santa.

For those looking to take in the sights and sounds of the season, below are some of the festivities scheduled locally.

Montgomery

The Village and the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce plan to host their annual tree-lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, in front of the Village Hall, 200 N. River St.

The event features Santa Claus, musical performances by area students and free refreshments.

It also includes the Festival of Trees, in which the Village Hall is filled with decorated trees provided by local businesses.  Residents can bring the family to meet Santa, have cookies and cocoa and vote for their favorite tree.

The Festival of Trees will stay up for two weeks following the tree-lighting ceremony for viewing during business hours.

For more information, call (630) 896-8080, ext. 1114.

Oswego

Oswego has two weekends of fun planned.

First, the village’s third annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled from  4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill.

The ceremony will include music, treats and a special guest.

The village’s annual Christmas Walk Celebration is scheduled from Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, throughout Oswego.

Here’s the schedule:

Friday, Dec. 4

• 5 to 9 p.m. — Toyland Train rides,  Sledding Hill (giant slide),  ice skating rink, ice carving demonstrations, strolling carolers and characters, holiday music, kids’ crafts and games, food vendors and shopping opportunities on Main Street; events located in downtown Oswego.
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. – Visits with Santa, cameras welcome; Belgian draft horse hay rides, Hudson Crossing Park, Harrison and Washington streets
• 7 p.m. — Silent, illuminated fire Truck parade, Main Street. It will feature fire trucks from Oswego and other local fire departments. Also, the Little White School Museum, 72 Polk St., will be open for music and treats.

Saturday, Dec. 5

• 8 to 11 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast with Santa, District 308 Center (old Traughber Junior High), 570 Colchester Drive
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Holiday Cookie Walk at participating downtown Oswego merchants

For more information, visit www.oswegoil.org or call (630) 554-4636.

Sandwich

A Sandwich Christmas and the Festival of Trees are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, in conjunction with the Sandwich Park District and Sandwich businesses.

Here’s what to expect and when:

Saturday, Dec. 5

• 10 a.m. —  The Festival of Trees Opens at Timber Creek Inn and Suites, 3300 Drew Ave. Visitors can stroll past trees represented and decorated by local businesses. This free festival includes holiday music by local church choirs, school groups and community musical groups.
• 10 a.m. to  5 p.m. —  Holiday Lane Craft Show at Timber Creek Inn and Suites
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Secret Santa Shopping, Sandwich Opera House (entrance on Pearl Street)
• 4 to 8 p.m. — Sandwich Old Mill Museum, Lafayette and Railroad streets, will be open to the public.
• 4:30 p.m. – Tree-lighting ceremony at Veterans Park on Railroad Street
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Carriage rides departing from Veterans Park.
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Trolley tour of home decorating contest winners; free tours depart from Veterans Park every 45 minutes.
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. —  Living Nativity at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2465 Sandwich Road

Sunday, Dec. 6

• 10 a.m. — Festival of Trees opens at Timber Creek Inn and Suites
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Holiday Lane Craft Show at Timber Creek Inn and Suites.

• 4 p.m. — Living Nativity at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2465 W. Sandwich Road.

Scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 29, Oswego’s tree-lighting ceremony will include music and more. (Photo courtesy of village of Oswego)

Yorkville

Yorkville plans on kicking off the holidays with a bang – we’re talking fireworks here – on Saturday, Nov. 21.

But that’s not at all. A number of festive activities are planned that day. The schedule is below.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Circle Center Grade School, 901 Mill St., will host its third annual Winter Wonderland Festival.  Activities will include carnival games, bake sale, shopping circles and concessions. Santa Claus plans to visit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Most activities and purchases will require tickets.  Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at www.yorkvilleparksandrecreation.com.  For more information, e-mail ccgswinterfest@gmail.com

• 5:30 p.m. – Holiday Parade at Riverfront Park, 131 E. Hydraulic Ave. The tree-lighting ceremony featuring Mayor Gary Golinski and Santa Claus will follow the parade at about 6:15 p.m. at the park.
• 6:30 p.m. (approximately) – Fireworks will be shot off over the Fox River near Riverfront Park.

Also, those looking to burn some calories before Thanksgiving can participate in the Chili Chase 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, Nov. 22.

This event starts and ends at the Yorkville American Legion 489, 9054 E. Veterans Parkway, and is hosted by the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department and the Yorkville Knights of Columbus.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m.; registration begins at 7 a.m. at the American Legion. Runners can warm up afterward with a bowl of chili. Funds from this year’s Chili Chase will be put toward the purchase a wheelchair for a Yorkville resident with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Pre-registration will be accepted by mail, 201 W. Hydraulic Ave, Yorkville, IL 60560; fax, (630) 553-4360, or online, www.yorkvilleparksandrecreation.com.

Pre-registration fees are $25 (includes T-shirt) and $20 (without T-shirt).  Registration the morning of the race costs $35 (includes t-shirt) and $30 (without t-shirt).

— Kendall communities welcoming everyone home for the holidays —