Do you love Christmas? Do you love the smell of pine trees, the powdery snow, and the twinkly lights hanging around every house? Are you looking for fun activities to do with your friends or family to celebrate the season? If so, there are numerous Christmas activities in the area, but here are the highlights:

Fox River Grove Tree Lighting Festival

Although I have not viewed this myself, I have had plenty of friends tell me how this is such a great experience. This is an activity for people of all ages, so go grab some hot chocolate and a friend and go see for yourself!

This takes place on December 3rd, at 975 Algonquin Road in Fox River Grove. It’s scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m., and Cary-Grove’s swing choir will perform there.

Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival

This is a must for Christmas fanatics like myself. Who doesn’t love to watch an amazing parade and have the opportunity to get some free candy? Go have some fun looking about, window shopping, or just spending time with friends. My family and I go every year, and the Merry Cary Festival never fails to impress.

The event begins December 4th, in downtown Cary on West Main Street. It begins at 12:00 p.m., and ends at 3:30 p.m.

“Sleigh Bells Are Ringin’”

The sleigh bells are ringing at this family event! Get a sleigh ride pulled by horses, and get pictures with Santa. Although the pictures are more for the little kids, you can also get Santa pictures of your pets! That’s right, bring along your furry companion and they too can tell Mr. C what they want for Christmas!

The event is on December 10th at Achieve Footwear & New Balance, located at 1 Crystal Lake Plaza AW, in Crystal Lake. The event runs from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m.  

Haley’s Holidays

Go celebrate Haley’s Holidays with your friends and family! Kids get the joy of Christmas-themed entertainment and you can get some Christmas shopping done for the family.

Haley’s Holidays celebrates a girl, Haley Lichter, and her fight for cancer. Haley was a graduate of Cary-Grove who was diagnosed with brain cancer. Although she passed away after the holidays in 2015, her memory still lives on.

The event will be held on December 10th at Cary-Grove High School (I’m hoping everyone knows where this is). It starts at 3 p.m., and ends at 6 p.m.

The Nutcracker Ballet

For anyone who loves the timeless Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker, you are sure to love the Raue Center’s version of it. Bring your parents, siblings, or friends, and go grab a ticket and watch the young performers!  

This is event is on December 17th at 7:00 p.m., as well as December 18th at 3:00 p.m. It’s held at the Raue Center For The Arts, in Crystal Lake. The address  is 26 N. Williams Street.

I hope everyone can find some time to do some of these activities, or ones of their own. These are highly suggested, as they are for all ages and a great opportunity to get out and just have some fun! Merry Christmas!