The last-minute rescheduling of “Holly Jolly Fest” in Niles earlier this month due to forecast of a major snowfall may have been a scramble, but village officials said the date swap had little impact on the crowd size.
Deputy Village Manager Katie Schneider told Pioneer Press the annual holiday-time event drew about the same number of attendees as in 2024.
According to Schneider, when village officials saw that weather forecasts predicted heavy snow on Nov. 29, the original date for the free festival was reevaluated. Instead of that Saturday, the event was quickly moved to the day – Friday – before.
“We did evaluate our options, the highest priority being safety but also looking at logistically what we were able to do,” Schneider said.
Niles Public Works Department staff typically are used to help implement the Holly Jolly Fest, but Schneider explained that those staffers and the department’s vehicles would be needed for the snowstorm.
After officials determined Nov. 28 would be better for the fest, the village posted notices on its website and Facebook, Instagram and YouTube social media pages, and included the update in an automated storm preparation phone call made to residents that week.
“We also asked our vendors and other partners to push out the message,” Schneider said.
Schneider estimated that at least 2,000 people attended Holly Jolly Fest despite temperatures being in the 20s on that day after Thanksgiving. The event drew some 2,000 attendees last year, and about 3,000 have attended when temperatures were in the teens.
While mostly Niles residents attend Holly Jolly Fest, Schneider said the event has drawn residents from Chicago, Des Plaines, Evanston, Morton Grove, Skokie and other surrounding suburbs.
“We are very happy with the way it turned out,” Schneider said. “We’re glad people came out and wish everyone a happy holidays.”
Schneider said minimal changes were made to Holly Jolly Fest, which took place a day earlier than originally scheduled.
“Almost all the vendors were able to adjust,” Schneider said.
The fest featured fireworks, horse-drawn trolley rides, a petting zoo, Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, a snow globe photo booth and the tree lighting with mayor George Alpogianis and the Village Board.
Schneider said what started as a tree lighting ceremony in 2013 inside Niles Village Hall grew to an event at Niles Park District’s Oasis Water Park and later a celebration at Civic Center Plaza before being at Golf Mill Park in 2024 and 2025.
“It’s to build community and to celebrate the holidays,” Schneider said.
Other activities include Home for the Holidays Raffle, which offers one entry for every $50 spent at a Niles business from Nov. 28 to Jan. 2, 2026. Then five names will be drawn at the Jan. 27, Village Board meeting to receive a $100 gift card to a Niles business of each winner’s choice.
Also, Niles Public Arts and Culture Council’s free Twinkle & Lights Holiday Decorating Contest accepts nominations to 2 p.m. Dec. 17 with winners receiving a yard sign and a gift card – $100 for first place and $50 for second place and third place – to a Niles business of their choice.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
