Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Deerfield: Parades, Tree Lightings

DEERFIELD, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in Deerfield to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

The annual tree lighting in downtown Deerfield was held on Nov. 23. A public menorah lighting is planned for 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Deerfield Village Square (between Starbucks and Bobby's). There will be latkes, doughnuts, along with live music at the Chabad of Deerfield event. Find out more here.

RELATED: Where To Buy Or Cut Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree In Deerfield

Deerfield will also be holding a "Winter Celebration" on Friday, December 2, at Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, at Jewett Park, 836 Jewett Park Drive, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland, and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

In Chicago, thousands of attendees were on hand earlier this month at the 31st annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue.

And the Light Up the Lake indoor light experience runs through Jan. 7 at Navy Pier. It features a skating rink, tree maze, visits with Santa and interactive light displays.