Experience the magic of being home for the holidays in the Elgin area. You and your family can enjoy a classic American holiday getaway that includes music, shopping, holiday lights, visits with Santa or the Grinch, nightlife cheer and all the flavors of the season. Visit during the annual Holly Days in downtown Elgin for a weekend filled with shopping, crafts for the family, tree lighting and so much more.
Day 1
Schedule
Come to the Elgin area and settle into your accommodations before spending an evening out on the town. Sip and savor the cocktails and pizza at Mockingbird Bar + Garden, where you can dine indoors or in their covered patio perfect for every season with a view of the Fox River Trail.
Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit better than attending one of the many holiday shows in the Elgin Area. Hear the beautiful holiday songs performed by the renowned Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular or go back in time to see the classic ballet, The Nutcracker, at the Hemmen’s Cultural Center. Throughout December, choose from performances created to bring in the magic of the season from the Elgin Sing-Along Messiah to the Elgin Theater’s production of The Christmas Express. See our schedule of events here and get tickets to a show during your holiday weekend getaway.
Have a holiday nightcap at the Martini Room to enjoy live music and a special holiday martini to wind down from a busy day. Stroll down Grove street and end the night at Vern’s Tavern sipping one of their seasonal specials like a Whiskey Christmas Orange or a Christmas Sangria.
Day 2
Schedule
Begin the Ho, Ho, Holidays right at Sugar & Rhyme Coffeehouse with a special coffee and a flaky croissant or homemade muffin. You will only find homemade treats at this locally owned cafe in the heart of downtown Elgin.
Stroll downtown Elgin to see the holiday windows created by local artisans for the annual Holly Days event that begins on Nov. 30 on Small Business Saturday and lasts through December. Elgin’s Holly Days event includes several hometown favorites for families, including a place to mail your letters to Santa. Enjoy the finest hot chocolate and other specialty drinks during the Holiday Cheers Beverage Crawl which will take you to more than 20 different downtown locations. The family will love Elgin’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Santa sightings, and live entertainment.
For those wanting to check off their gift-giving list, visit The State Street Market Shops, which offers 30 unique vintage stores under one roof and hosts a charming cafe for busy shoppers. The second annual Holidays at The Haight also offers a curated collection of 35+ local small business owners selling a variety of handcrafted/sourced goods on both the main and upper levels of The Haight wedding/event venue — spacious, historically rich, and awe-inspiringly beautiful.
Deck the halls when you visit one of the many holiday-themed craft events during this holiday season:
- Holiday Open House at State Street Markets: Nov. 9
- Holiday Train Stop, Sip and Shop in Pingree Grove: Nov. 27
- Holidays at The Haight: Nov. 30
- Prairie View’s Holiday Pop Up Market in Hampshire: Nov. 30
- Cruisin’ Christmas Indoor Market in Gilberts: Dec. 5
- Holiday Shopping Blitz in Bartlett: Dec. 6
- Cookie Walk & Craft Fair at the Journey of Hope Bartlett Campus: Dec. 7
- Westminster Winter Market in Elgin: Dec. 7
- Merriest Makers Market at The Gather in Pingree Grove: Dec. 7
- Holiday Sip & Shop at Eastside Cafe in East Dundee: Dec. 12
- Holly Days Pop Up Market in downtown Elgin: Dec. 13 and Dec. 14
After a busy afternoon, catch the merry and bright live music and fine food served at Old Republic, an American cuisine that is sure to provide something for everyone.
Be dazzled by the holiday lights at Santa’s Village Magical Christmas Drive-Thru to enjoy millions of lights synchronized to your favorite holiday music. While at Santa’s Village, take time to ride the snowless tub slide, capture that perfect photo at one of the many created winter scenes and visit with Santa. This light extravaganza begins Nov. 29 and runs select dates through Dec. 29.
Check out the Riverside Parade of Lights featuring the villages of East Dundee, West Dundee, and Carpentersville for a truly magical event on December 7 as the riverfront transforms into a winter wonderland. And make sure to see the South Elgin communities participating in the Holiday Lights Tour on December 12.
Day 3
Schedule
Kick off your day with a spectacular coffee flight and a breakfast sandwich at the Eastside Cafe & Winery. Then gear up for a day of discovering just the right gift by visiting three charming boutiques full of style and surprises. In downtown West Dundee, visit Boxwood Home Design & Cabinetry Co. for kitchen and holiday decor. While in West Dundee, travel to Half Full Nest and Vintage Market, where you will find all types of vintage styles, from Farmhouse, to French Country, to Industrial, to Mid Century Modern and everything in between in a building that was once a church. On your way out of town, stop by Ladybug Lane for a fun, festive boutique featuring unique gifts and home decorations.
If you visit on the first Friday in December, check out Dickens on Dundee, a weekend event that has tree lighting ceremonies in both East and West Dundee. Residents and visitors stroll through downtown East and West Dundee to see local merchant’s windows “come alive” during Living Windows.
Looking to stay active? Send the family to ice skate at Canlan Ice Arena in West Dundee where you can drop in for some specific skating and skills-building time. Or spend time exploring the wonderful Fox River Trail which offers hiking and biking on trails that are open nearly every day of the year.
As you wind up your holiday getaway, check out the holiday cheer found in nearby Hampshire. Enjoy the eclectic 80s vibe of Neon Cow Creamery and Sub Shop for a sandwich and your favorite ice cream treat. Then visit The Vintage Hammer, a store focused on charming antique and repurposed handmade goods. You are sure to end the weekend filled with holiday cheer.
