Visits with Santa
2025-12-13 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-20 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Downtown DeKalb, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Bring your Christmas spirit to life with a visit to Santa in his cozy house! Share your holiday wishes, snap a festive photo, and drop off your Christmas list straight into Santa’s hands. Don’t forget to take home a sweet candy cane as a special treat! Santa’s house is free to attend.

Santa Visits at DeKalb County Courthouse
2025-12-13 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-14 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-20 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-21 11:00 - 14:00 | DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W State St, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
Santa takes time off from his workshop to vacation in Sycamore during the holiday season. His “vacation home” is located on the courthouse lawn and is open for visitors starting December 6!

Santa House Hours:Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. -2 p.m.

Santa’s House has a personal mailbox! Be sure that Santa receives your wish list this year by delivering it yourself.

Self-Defense Seminar
2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Sycamore Park District Community Center, 480 Airport Rd, Sycamore, IL, 60178
Empower yourself with practical self-defense skills. Jeremy is a 4th Degree Black Belt with a passion for helping participants build confidence, increase awareness, and learn fundamental techniques to protect themselves in real-world situations. Whether you’re a beginner or have martial arts experience, everyone is welcome to learn in this supportive environment that covers essential self-defense strategies, basic strikes, escapes, and defensive movements. Let’s work together to make safety and self-empowerment accessible to everyone! Parents must remain in the building with participants ages 12-16.

Christmas Breads with Chef Cherise
2025-12-13 14:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Chef Cherise Slattery will teach you how to make two delicious Christmas yeast breads with the same basic dough! Learn to make a Christmas Star Bread studded with pistachios and a strawberry jam swirl and Pull Apart Christmas Tree Buns with roasted red pepper and parmesan cheese.
Enjoy samples of these beautiful breads and leave with the recipes and knowledge to make them at home for your own holiday celebration!
This program is first come, first served, and is limited to 40 participants. It is intended for adults. No registration is required.
For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

A Christmas Carol
2025-12-13 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-13 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Stage Coach Players, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
For Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas is all ‘Bah and Humbug.’ But on this Christmas Eve, three spirits haunt his dreams. They show him what he once was as a boy, joyful and happy; the miserly man he is now; and what his future fate could be. After his experience with the spirits, “it was always said of him,” wrote Charles Dickens, “that he knew how to keep Christmas well.”

Join Stage Coach Players for this beloved holiday classic, running just ONE WEEKEND!

Show dates for A Christmas Carol are as follows:

Thursday, December 11, 2025 • 7:30 PM

Friday, December 12, 2025 • 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 2:00 PM

Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 7:30 PM

Sunday, December 14, 2025 • 2:00 PM

Tickets can be purchased here or by calling our box office at 815-758-1940.

Holiday Pops Concert: Winter Wonderland
2025-12-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at Northern Illinois University, 400 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb, IL
A beloved annual tradition! Ring in the holiday season with traditional favorites. Local music ensembles will be featured in the lobby before the concerts, during intermission, and following the concerts. This concert is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Santa Visit
2025-12-16 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-17 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-20 10:00 - 12:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Do you hear sleighbells? A jolly fellow from the North Pole will visit the library three times this December! Bring your holiday cheer and meet Santa before the holidays!
While children chat with Santa, parents may snap a photo on their phone or let library staff capture the moment for you—perfect if your battery’s low or you want to join Santa in the picture. Santa’s happy helper will be there to give every visitor a treat and a special holiday coloring picture to remember the day.
This program is free and intended for families with children. No registration is required.
For more information, contact Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or (815)-756-9568 ext. 3350.

The Essential Great Chicago Fire
2025-12-17 19:00 - 20:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
It started in a barn and, two nightmarish days later, nearly destroyed a city. William Pack will weave together technical details of the Chicago Fire with vivid firsthand accounts from those who lived through the inferno of 1871, bringing alive all the excitement and terror in a multimedia storytelling event that will not soon be forgotten.
This program is intended for adults, but teens are welcome. No registration is required.
For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

Cocoa, Crafts, and Cheer
2025-12-19 12:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Celebrate winter break and the holidays in a cozy, stress-free space. Make ornaments and holiday cards and enjoy a hot cocoa station and other sweet treats!
This program is intended for grades 6-12. No registration is required.
For more information, please contact Cheyenne at cheyennet@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 6109.

Parent's Escape for Errands
2025-12-19 18:15 - 20:45 | Sycamore Park District Community Center, 480 Airport Rd, Sycamore, IL, 60178
Get some time away after the first few weeks of school, relax before the pumpkin and Halloween activities in October, or finish some last-minute Holiday cooking or shopping needs in December. Whatever it is, let the Sycamore Park District keep your kids engaged with themed crafts, active gym games, free play, and a cozy movie to wind down with awesome staff! Each session algins with a busy time of the year to make your life just a little easier – and give your kids an exciting evening of their own! Sep 19 | Oct 17 | Nov 21 | Dec 19

A Magical Motown Christmas
2025-12-19 19:30 | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
A Magical Motown Christmas is coming to the historic Egyptian Theatre in this highly acclaimed show featuring hit after hit woven in with your holiday favorites infused with a bit of the legendary soul Motown is famous for delivering!

The soundtrack for the evening will include hits from all of your favorite Motown legends including The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Tammy Terrell, The Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, & more!

This 2-hour plus musical journey through one of America’s most beloved songbooks features pitch-perfect harmonies, dynamic choreography, & costuming that will perfectly capture the sights & sound of Motown and the spirit of Christmas!

Family Fun Science: Gingerbread Houses
2025-12-20 10:00 - 11:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
It’s the holiday season and a perfect time to build a gingerbread house with the family! Join DeKalb Public Library for the seventh annual STEM Gingerbread House Family Fun Science. They’ll have the supplies to build—graham crackers, frosting, and candy. Bring your creative ideas!
At the end, they’ll have a friendly competition for Best House and the winner will get a $5 Target gift card.
The program is limited to the first 30 children to arrive. Sign-up will begin at the children’s desk 1 hour before the event. This has become one of their most popular Family Fun Science events, so if you want a spot, come early!
For additional information, please email Laura at lauraw@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Sycamore Winter Farmers Market
2025-12-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Flowers by Emelia and Prairie Wildflowers, 1126 E. State St, Sycamore, Illinois, 60178, United States
Shop honey, wool, bread, crafts, teas, and more at the Sycamore Winter Farmers Market every 1st and 3rd Saturday November-March from 10am-1pm in their greenhouse!

Valentine’s Day Market on February 14th.

Free Visits with Santa
2025-12-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Downtown Genoa, Genoa, IL
Visit Santa for free at the corner of Route 72 and Monroe Street in downtown Genoa! Furry friends are welcome.

Winter Solstice Celebration
2025-12-20 14:00 - 15:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Gather by the fire as the DeKalb Public Library celebrates the winter solstice with engaging storytelling, activities, and crafts!
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. They will celebrate the return of light and the promise of warmth and growth in the coming months.
This program will be first come, first served, as space and supplies are limited. For ages 4-13.
For additional information please contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3310.

Kishwaukee Concert Band Holiday Concert
2025-12-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at Northern Illinois University, 400 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb, IL
The Kishwaukee Concert Band is an all-volunteer adult community band composed of experienced musicians from DeKalb and surrounding communities. Get into the Christmas spirit at their holiday concert at NIU Boutell Memorial Concert Hall on Saturday, December 20.

DeKalb County's Largest Holiday Office Party
2025-12-23 17:00 - 22:00 | Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W Lincoln Hwy,, DeKalb, IL, 60115
Be at Fatty’s for the 18th AnnualDeKalb County’s Largest Holiday Office Party!Sponsored by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and 102.3FM The Coyote

The event starts at 5pm with a Free Appetizer Buffet from 5pm-6pm!

“Office Party” Santa will be here around 6pm passing out wrapped gifts for Adults (T-Shirts, Gift Cards & Other Prizes)Live music at 5pm from Craig Mathey

This is a great event especially if you have a small office.

Make this event Your Holiday Office Party!Don’t miss one of the best events of the year!Open to the public!

Led Zepplin Tribute - Kashmir
2025-12-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Sandwich Opera House, 140 E Railroad St, Sandwich, IL, 60548
Kashmir is the definitive Led Zeppelin tribute of the Midwest, and they are performing live in Sandwich, IL at the historic Sandwich Opera House on Saturday December 27, 2025. Get your tickets today to catch the band authentically recreate the look and sound of Zeppelin, while performing all their most loved songs like Rock & Roll, Immigrant Song, Dazed and Confused, When the Levee Breaks, Ramble On and Stairway to Heaven.

Doors Open at 7:00pm – Show Begins at 8:00pm – This is an All-Ages Event

Noon Year’s Day Countdown & Confetti Toss
2025-12-31 11:30 - 12:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The DeKalb Public Library is waddling into the New Year in style with a penguin-themed Noon Year’s bash! As the clock approaches 12:00, they’ll celebrate its advent with a countdown and confetti toss. Listen to a short story, have some festive fun as they make penguin hats and confetti poppers, then grab noisemakers and parade through the department, ending in the Story & Activity Room to begin the countdown and release a flurry of confetti.
Registration is not required. This drop-in program is for children of all ages, but children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
For additional information, please contact Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Fatty's New Years Eve
2025-12-31 19:00 - 2026-01-01 01:00 | Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W Lincoln Hwy,, DeKalb, IL, 60115
Fatty’s is your destination for two ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

7:00 PM – Early New Year’s Eve with Back Country Roads brought to you by 102.3fm The CoyoteKick off the night with a special Early NYE celebration featuring a live performance by Back Country Roads.

102.3fm The Coyote will be here signing people up to win a pair of tickets to Country Thunder 2026!

BCR will help do an early countdown with a Champagne Toast at 10:00 PM—perfect for anyone looking to celebrate without staying out late.

No Cover!

10:00 PM – Close: New Year’s Eve Dance PartyRing in the New Year with our late-night NYE Dance Party featuring DJ Ray Gooden, spinning all night long. Celebrate in style with party favors, a photo opportunity, and a Champagne Toast at Midnight as we officially countdown to 2026.

Celebrate early, party late!
