14 Old Fashioned Christmas in Events in the Chicago Suburbs and Nearby 2024

Celebrating an old fashioned Christmas brings back all those warm fuzzies and the nostalgia of Christmases gone by. Fortunately, we have many opportunities here in the Chicago suburbs to recapture that magic. Here are 14 of my favorite Chicago suburban old fashioned Christmas experiences for 2024:

November 27 - January 5 Christmas at Cantigny Park features dazzling light displays throughout the garden and the historic McCormick Mansion will be adorned with holiday trimmings. A hot cocoa hut will be for rent and there will be a special holiday bar in the McCormick Mansion. $10 parking, $15 per adult, $10 per child in advance. $20 and $15 day of. Additional pricing for bar and cabana. See website for more details and to reserve tickets.

November 29, December 7 & 14 The Night Before Christmas Exhibit and Ansel B. Cook Holiday Home display in Libertyville will delight visitors with a Victorian Christmas. The home will be open November 29 after the tree lighting and  11AM-3PM both Saturdays. $5/adults and kids are free.

November 29 - December 28 Christmas in Woodstock features a collection of nostalgic holiday activities including horse drawn carriage rides, a gingerbread walk, Christmas tree walk, and performances of The Nutcracker Ballet at the Opera House. See schedule.

November 29 - December 30 (Closed December 19, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) The Christmas Tree Show at the Lincoln-Tallman House of Janesville is definitely worth the drive. See the gorgeous 1857 mansion in a special light with holiday decor full with over 100 trees decorated by the community. Tickets are $15 per person, free for child children ages 15 and under. Please reserve tickets online. Tours are self-guided.

November 30 - December 30 House Tour: Winter Holidays in the 1890s, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, learn about holiday traditions in the 1890s, $5 pp suggested donation, see website for times.

December 6-8, 13-15, and 19-20 Holly Jolly Days at Naper Settlement in Naperville welcomes visitors to a fun holiday experience which includes to learning how reindeer shoes are made from a blacksmith and listening to holiday stories in a one-room schoolhouse. Create crafts. 3PM-7PM December 7, 8, 14 & 15; 1PM-6PM December 9 & 16, $5 pp, purchase tickets online.

December 7  Once Upon a Christmas at the Museums at Lisle Station Park in Lisle 3PM-7PM is in conjunction with the Santa Parade and village tree lighting. Enjoy a holiday workshop in the blacksmith shop, hot chocolate, hot cider and more. Purchase handcrafted gifts. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit. Free.

December 8 through January 1, 2025 Victorian Christmas at the Clayson House in Palatine begins with an Open House December 8 with holiday cheer, punch, and cookies 1PM-4PM. Hours are Tuesday 9AM-4PM, Thursday 12PM-4PM and Sunday 1:00PM-4:00PM. Admission is free.

December 8 Christmas in the Valley at the Heritage Farm and Merkle Cabin in Schaumburg remains one of my favorite holiday events in the Chicago suburbs. How can you not love visiting with Father Christmas by the fire in a cabin? Crafts, Victorian decorations, 1880s Christmas activities, s'mores and more round out special holiday adventure. The event runs 12PM-4PM. Admission is $3 pp or $12 per family.

December 13-22 Victorian Christmas Cottage in Lombard dazzles visitors with Victorian holiday decor. Tours will be given by a docent in costume Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 1PM-4PM. Tours are $5 pp for those ages 12+. Under 12 are free. Reserve tickets online.

December 14 Merry and Bright: A Victorian Christmas at Downers Grove's Blodgett House features a historic home adorned in Victorian holiday finery, a luminary walk, carolers, a campfire, and more. Free. The event runs 3PM-6PM.

December 14 Holiday at Grandma's House  invites visitors back to Christmas past inside Ringwood's 1854 Powers-Walker House from 12PM-4PM. Enjoy a fresh tree decorated with natural trimmings and learn how homes prepared for winter and the holidays from costumed interpreters. Free.

Ongoing - January 12 Historic Holiday - Kenosha's 1861 Durkee Mansion will be decorated to the hilt with dazzling Victorian holiday decorations.  Holiday Tours of Durkee Mansion will be available available 11/30/2024, 12/1/2024, 12/3/2024, 12/4/2024, 12/5/2024, 12/6/2024, 12/7/2024, 12/8/2024, 12/13/2024, 12/14/2024, 12/15/2024, 12/18/2024, 12/21/2024, 12/22/2024, 12/28/2024, 12/29/2024, 1/4/2025, 1/5/2025, 1/11/2025, 1/12/2025. Please see website for more details.

Ongoing - New Year's Dickens-Kringle Christmas Village in Antioch will treat you to a variety of Dickens scenes for the holidays. Additionally, visitors will enjoy Kringle's shadowboxes with holiday scenes. The event is free and open daily 10AM-8PM at #510 Orchard St. in Antioch. Tours are available.