The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and the city of Elgin are doing their best to make sure that city sidewalks are busy sidewalks throughout the holiday season.
“Feedback has shown that the holiday campaign has continued to grow and build interest over the years,” DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala said of its annual Holly Days campaign.
This year, more than 40 businesses will be open on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, with about two dozen serving drinks as part of the Holiday Cheers Beverage crawl.
Along with seasonal fun, the Holly Days events are a way to draw people downtown to shop, eat and drink, Fukala said.
“The impact of shopping local cannot be overstated,” she said. “Increased sales during the holidays are pivotal for businesses to help balance out the slow times elsewhere in the calendar.”
Here’s a chronological list of downtown Holly Days events and others sponsored by the city of Elgin’s Department of Cultural Arts and Special Events.
Saturday, Nov. 29
- Photos with Santa can be taken from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at his house and workshop at the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S. Grove Ave., in an event sponsored by the city of Elgin.
- Holidays at The Highland Loft, 168 E. Highland Ave., will feature more than than 50 small businesses will be selling items from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Merry & Made Holiday Pop-Up Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Highland Lofts, 164 E. Highland Ave. More than 20 vendors will be participating.
- Those who have purchased their special Holiday Cheers insulated cups can visit 25 participating merchants from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to partake in a beverage crawl.
- From noon to 5 p.m., free trolleys will take shoppers around the downtown area. Sponsored by the city of Elgin, stops will be set up at Elgin City Hall, East Chicago and Spring streets, Fulton and South Spring streets, and DuPage Court.
- Santa’s Workshop, with craft projects for kids, will be presented by the city of Elgin from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa’s Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S. Grove Ave.
- The Weave, another pop-up market, will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court.
- Free photo ops with the Grinch will be available from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce office, 31 S. Grove Ave., sponsored by the city of Elgin.
- Holiday Story-time Hour with Mrs. Claus, presented by the city of Elgin, will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. at Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S. Grove Ave.
- Carolers will be singing from 3 to 5 p.m. at DuPage Court and along South Grove Avenue, sponsored by the city of Elgin.
- The city of Elgin’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. at DuPage Court. Master of Ceremonies is Mayor David Kaptain.
Friday, Dec. 5
- The Krampusnacht Bazaar will be selling macabre seasonal gifts from 6 to 10 p.m. at Elgin ArtSpace, 210 DuPage St.
Saturday, Dec. 6
- M3 Dance will present “The Nutcracker” at noon and 5 p.m. at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way. Tickets are $32.50 to $43 and available at hemm.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/19225.
- The Krampusnacht Bazaar, featuring ghoulishly delightful artisan wares and eerie oddities, will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. at Elgin ArtSpace.
- Adult revelers are welcome to cosplay while taking part in a Krampus Crawl from 7 p.m. to midnight at participating downtown establishments. For more information on Krampus events, email johnlafleur13@gmail.com.
- Nothing But Treble will celebrate the holiday season in song with a 7 p.m. concert at the First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago Street. Admission is a suggested $20 donation. For more information, visit fcc-elgin.org/event/nothing-but-treble-concert/.
Sunday, Dec. 7
- M3 Dance will present “The Nutcracker” at noon at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way.
Monday, Dec. 8
- Axiom Brass will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago St. Tickets are $25 for the general public, $15 for students and can be purchased at www.chambermusiconthefox.org/concert/holiday-brass.
Saturday, Dec. 13
- The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin will be hosting a Holly Days Holiday Pop-Up Market from noon to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S. Grove Ave.
- The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual Holiday Spectacular concert at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way. Tickets are $20 to $68, with discounts available for students, and can be purchased at www.elginsymphony.org/en/home.
Sunday, Dec. 14
- The Holly Days Holiday Pop-Up Market will will be open from noon to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S. Grove Ave.
- The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will reprise its Holiday Spectacular concert at 2:30 p.m. at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way.
For more information on Holly Days events, go to www.downtownelgin.com/hollydays/.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for the Elgin Courier-News.
