Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Fair
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Metropolitan Square - Friday, Dec. 4 | 4-6:30 p.m.
Join the City of Des Plaines for live entertainment, a special appearance by Santa, the Grinch, Anna, and Elsa, and admire the trees decorated by local community groups. Don’t forget to drop off your letter to the North Pole at our mailbox!
The mitten tree will be available for donations of new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves of all sizes. Nonperishable food donations for the Des Plaines Self Help Closet and Pantry are welcome. Please visit their website for a list of current most needed items.
Featured fun and entertainment:
- Say hi and snap a photo with Santa (The Grinch, Anna, and Elsa will be there, too!)
- Roasted Chestnut demonstration by the History Center
- Name a Des Plaines snowplow contest (2025 winner: Scoop Dogg)
- Drop off your letter at Santa’s mailbox
- Variety of activities sponsored by local organizations
Food Vendors
Food Vendors
Check back soon for the food truck lineup. Food trucks will accept a variety of payment types, including cash and card.
Please note that Metropolitan Square has a variety of restaurants including: Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Giordano's, and KOW Korean BBQ.
We sincerely appreciate your patience as you may experience longer wait times at this highly popular event. Food service ends at 6:30 p.m. Trucks may cutoff their queue lines to ensure those in line are served before the event ends.
Schedule of Events
Schedule of events:
4 p.m. Students and community groups decorate holiday trees in the Square
4 - 6:30 p.m. Food Trucks will have food available for purchase
4:30 – 6:15 p.m. Live performances on stage
4:45 p.m. Santa arrives in grand style
6:30 p.m. The tree is lit for the season by elected officials
Parking Information
Parking
Free parking is available in the Metropolitan Square Parking Garage (entrances off Lee St. and Miner St.) and the Municipal Complex Garage (behind City Hall).
Winter Fair at Des Plaines Public Library - Saturday, Dec. 5 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The City of Des Plaines is excited for its fifth annual Winter Fair! Shop your way through the indoor artisan market featuring local makers and hop on a trolley to experience a historic tour of the City with the Des Plaines History Center as your guide. You’ll have an additional chance to post your letter to the North Pole at our mailbox and submit name ideas for the Name a Snowplow contest!
The mitten tree will be available for donations of new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves of all sizes. Nonperishable food donations for the Des Plaines Self Help Closet and Pantry are welcome. Please visit their website for a list of current most needed items.
Trolley Tours
Trolley Tours
Grab your friends and family and join the History Center as you embark on this journey through Des Plaines! There will be six 45-minute trolley tours that will begin and end at Library Plaza in Des Plaines. Hop on board and get ready to discover the rich history and fascinating stories that make Des Plaines so special.
Advance registration is required for the trolley tours. Once tours reach capacity, a waitlist option will become available. Registration is anticipated to open at the beginning of November. Please check back soon for more information and for the registration link.
Artisans
Winter Fair Artisans
Shop from a variety of local artisans at the Winter Fair inside on the first and fourth floors of the Des Plaines Public Library (1501 Ellinwood St.). Delicious treats, handmade products, jewelry, and more will be available for purchase. The market will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors will accept a variety of payment methods (cash, card, Venmo, PayPal, etc.).
Parking Information
Parking
Free parking is available in the Des Plaines Public Library Parking Garage (1448 E. Prairie Ave.).