Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Evanston: Tree Lightings And More

EVANSTON, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in the Evanston area 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 at Fountain Square in downtown Evanston is set to take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, with performances by Evanston Children's Choir, NU Purple Haze Acapella and a brass quintet. After City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza, Santa Claus and special guests light the tree at 5:30 p.m., Santa will be available for photos at The Merion, 1615 Chicago Ave.

On Dec. 11, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra holiday concert at Evanston Township High School features the North Shore Choral Society, Chicago Ballet Arts, Evanston Children's Choir, Evanston Dance Ensemble, the Evanston Symphony Holiday Gospel Choir and a visit from Santa.

On Dec. 16, Jewish Reconstructionist Synagogue hosts a Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Chanukah celebration featuring Heavy Shtetl and a performance by JRC's Junior Choir.

A menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebration is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Fountain Square. The event will include live music, a LED robot dancer and Hanukkah treats and remarks from Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

The lighting of the Kwanzaa Kinara at Fountain Square is planned for 11 a.m. Dec. 26. From 1 to 4 p.m., a Kwanzaa Festival and Storytelling Event at the Robert Crown Community Center is set to include local artists and food vendors, a family art and crafts area, a storytelling presentation, a community drum circle lead by Tony Garrett and a contemporary West African Dance performance by NAJWA Dance Corps.

And the Lightscape experience at the Chicago Botanic Garden runs until Jan. 8. A mile of light-filled installations includes the Winter Cathedral, a fire garden and more. Tickets to the event are sold in timeslots between 4:30 and 9:15 p.m.

Find more or post your own on the Evanston Patch Calendar.

Related: JCC Chicago Hosts '8 Nights Of Hanukkah' Events In Chicago, Suburbs

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.

Related: Where To Buy Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree Near Evanston