Light Up Wheaton Decorating Event
2024-11-12 - 2024-12-20 | IL
November 12-December 20
Let’s get festive! The City of Wheaton and the Wheaton Park District are proud to present the 5th annual Light Up Wheaton decorating contest. All Wheaton residents, businesses, houses of worship and community organizations are invited to participate in this free, friendly competition—all themes and holidays welcome!
Showcase your fun, creative, out-of-the-box decorating ideas in what has quickly become one of Wheaton’s favorite holiday traditions.
Registration closes December 12*
*All registered participants must submit a photo of (and address for) their submission by 12 p.m. Thursday, December 12, to lcali@wheatonparks.org to be considered for awards.
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Nights of Lights
2024-11-29 - 2025-01-05 | Adams Park, 303 W Wesley St., Wheaton, IL, 60187, United States
Park Lighting Ceremony
Nights of Lights returns to Adams Park for its fifth year! Join us for the park lighting on November 29 at 4:30 p.m. and enjoy this display through the holiday season. Featuring over 55,000 bulbs lighting the trees and an animated light display at the fountain, a walk through Adams Park will “wow” the whole family. Thank you to the City of Wheaton for providing this wonderful display throughout the holiday season.
Nights of Lights continues through January 5, 2025.
This event is open to the public at no cost.
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Festival of Lights & Christmas Tree Sale
2024-12-01 - 2024-12-30 | Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187
November 29–December 30 | 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (lights come on at 3:0 PM)* | Cosley Zoo
A winter visit to Cosley Zoo has become a favorite family tradition. Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate and a unique assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop.
Cosley Zoo has four varieties of trees ranging from 3’ to 12’! Wreaths, greens, and garland are also available for purchase.

Christmas lights turn on at 3:00 PM
Hot Chocolate is available weekdays 3:00–9:00 PM; weekends 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Free Admission during the Festival of Lights and Tree Sales, donations are greatly appreciated
No reservations/ticketing required

*Holiday Hours:
December 24 & 31 | 9:00 AM-Noon
December 25 & January 1 | Closed
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Christmas at Cantigny
2024-12-04 - 2025-01-05 | Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
Explore a dazzling array of experiences as you stroll through a ½-mile, fully ADA- and stroller-accessible path. Along the way, music-orchestrated light shows, festive decorations, larger-than-life flower sculptures, and a towering 28-foot Christmas tree will enchant you. Don’t forget to stop by our Holiday Shop to pick up a Cantigny-grown Poinsettia, a holiday tradition from our greenhouse.
Enjoy a variety of events during Christmas at Cantigny, including:

A Very Taylor Christmas
Christmas Spirits
Noël Lounge at the McCormick House
Holiday Brunch
The Colonel’s Christmas Tour
And more!

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Santa & Mrs. Claus at the "W" Tent
2024-12-07 - 2024-12-21 | IL
Saturday, December 7, 11:00 AM–1 PM
Saturday, December 14, 2:00–4:00 PM
Saturday, December 21, 11:00 AM–1 PM

Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Downtown Wheaton this holiday season, and they want to see you! This is the perfect time to take a picture with Santa and even check if you made the nice list this year.
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Santa’s Workshop
2024-12-12 09:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Toohey Park Building, 1900 Orchard Rd, Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
December 12 | 9:30 AM–3:00 PM | Toohey Park Building | Age 4–6

While parents do last-minute shopping, children have fun making holiday keepsake crafts. All supplies are included in the fee.

Resident | $36
Non-Resident | $45

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New Year's Eve Concert at the MAC
2024-12-31 | The MAC at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137, United States
Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM & 8:30 PM
NEWPHILHARMONIC
New Year’s Eve Concert
Belushi Performance Hall
$68 Senior | $70 Adult | $80 Gold Circle

A SALUTE TO VIENNA’S NEW YEAR’S EVE
1:30 PM: Limited Availability
5:00 PM: Limited Availability
8:30 PM: Best Availability
Ring in 2025 with Maestro Muspratt as he conducts a fun and exciting New Year’s Eve pops concert featuring a variety of light classics, Strauss waltzes, arias, guest singer, champagne with surprises! A joyous night of reflecting back while looking ahead together through the music of New Philharmonic.
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