DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Holiday Traditions Weekend
2025-12-07 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Ellwood House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
This Holiday Traditions Weekend gives guests the chance to participate in self-guided tours around the Ellwood mansion and Ellcourt, a unique opportunity for visitors to take their time to appreciate the beautiful decorations in both homes. This two-day event will run on Saturday, December 6, from 4-7 PM, and Sunday, December 7, from 1-4PM, and will include refreshments and live music!

Senior Coffee Hour
2025-12-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Sycamore Public Library, 103 E State St, Sycamore, Illinois, 60178
Have you been wanting to meet new people? Drop by the Sycamore Public Library on the first Sunday of the month for free coffee, games, and conversation.

Celebration Chorale Christmas Cantata
2025-12-07 14:00 - 15:00 | First United Methodist Church of DeKalb, 317 N 4th Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The Celebration Chorale announces its upcoming annual Christmas cantata, “Sing We All Noel” which will be presented at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 p.m. The production will be held at First United Methodist Church, 2501 North Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb.
“Sing We All Noel” is a dynamic collection of favorite carols and classics for choir and congregation. The Celebration Chorale is under the direction of Christine Monteiro.
Although the Celebration Chorale practices and performs at FUMC in DeKalb, the musicians come from all over the area and include professionals and amateurs, longtime Chorale members, and those who are new to the group. The Chorale has singers representing over nine different church denominations and 10 local communities.
There is no charge for the performances at the church, but a free-will offering will be taken. The church is an accessible facility. Parking is available adjacent to the church building.
For information about the concerts, or for information on joining the Celebration Chorale, email thecelebrationchorale@gmail.com; call Sally Mullis, Celebration Chorale Leadership Team President at (815) 739-6087 or visit their Facebook page at The Celebration Chorale.

Wrap and Sip
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Prairie State Winery, 222 West Main St., Genoa, IL, 60135, United States
Do you have limited time away from your kids? Are you hiding in your bedroom trying to wrap presents on your bed? Are you staying up late to wrap presents and hoping your kids don’t wake up? If so, this it the event for you!

Reserve a table at the winery for gift wrapping, snacking, music, and drinking!

Understanding Financial Statements: A Quick Guide Workshop
2025-12-11 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Demystify your financial statements! This session provides a straightforward look at how to read and interpret your Income Statement and Balance Sheet to gain crucial insights into your business’s performance.
You will learn the basic components of an Income Statement and Balance Sheet, what key figures represent, and how to spot initial trends in your business’s financial health.
Bulmer Consulting Virtual Workshop

Winter Chocolate Walk 2025
2025-12-11 16:00 - 20:00 | Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
Indulge your sweet tooth at Sycamore’s most decadent night of the year! Stroll through the charming downtown and enjoy over 20 chocolate-inspired stops featuring everything from chocolate martinis and gourmet donuts to chocolate-dipped mini cones, marshmallows, and more.

Whether you’re bringing your sweetheart or just your love for chocolate, this festive evening promises plenty of indulgence and holiday cheer. Plus, you’ll have the chance to win a chocolate lover’s dream gift basket—packed with treats and gift cards from participating businesses, valued at over $500!

Your evening begins at Blumen Gardens (403 Edward Street), where you’ll pick up your:

Chocolate Walk entry card

Souvenir hot cocoa mug

First chocolate sample—courtesy of Blumen Gardens

As you explore each stop, make sure to get your entry card stamped. Turn in your completed card at your final location to be entered into our prize drawing. Four lucky participants will be selected to win one of our sweet prize packages!Day of Tickets will be available at Blumen Gardens for $15 starting at 4pm! Online tickets available mid Oct.

A Christmas Carol
2025-12-11 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-12 19:30 - 20:30, 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.

Grain & Gather Indoor Winter Artisan Market
2025-12-12 16:30 - 20:30 | Whiskey Acres, 11504 Keslinger Rd, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Kick off your weekend in the warmest way—surrounded by holiday cheer, handcrafted drinks, handmade/sourced goods, and great company at Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.! The estate distillery’s visitor center transforms into a holiday haven for 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 & 𝑮𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕— warm lighting, cozy seating by the glowing fireplace, rustic wood accents, and a full bar (to keep spirits merry!) encompass a festive evening backdrop for sipping, shopping, and celebrating the season!

Discover a curated lineup of 12 talented local makers and small business owners offering handcrafted/sourced goods as unique as you and the people on your list! From sparkling jewelry and fragrant candles to lush houseplants, home décor, baked goods, crochet creations, sweet holiday treats, and more.

Toast the season and to the weekend with seed-to-spirit cocktails made from grains grown and distilled on site for generations (plus festive non-alcoholic options).

Pair your drinks with comforting eats from Chuck’s Wood Fired Pizza food truck— perfect for fueling a night of holiday shopping and mingling.

Enjoy live music in the comfortable indoors among the shopping and sipping.

Let the holiday magic set the tone for your weekend—shop small, sip slow, and gather with for an evening to remember!

Carol of the (Berim) Baus with Arcomusical
2025-12-12 18:30 - 19:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Arcomusical is thrilled to return to the library for another year to present their ever-growing collection of holiday arrangements for berimbau chamber ensemble!
Arcomusical’s music is fresh, playful, rhythmic, colorful, and soulful. The ensemble’s level of concentration, communication, and joy of chamber music performance is palpable.
Playing exclusively on the Afro-Brazilian instrument called the berimbau, Arcomusical’s performances provide a unique and family-friendly experience. After the performance, children of all ages (from 2 to 92!) are invited to hold and perform on the group’s unique instruments. Arcomusical delights in spending time with audience members to give anyone who wishes a chance to play our unique instruments for themselves.
This concert is free and open to all. No registration is required.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Holiday Pops Concert: Winter Wonderland
2025-12-12 19:00 - 20:00, 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.

Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas
2025-12-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas celebrates the gift of family, the gift of friends, the gift of peace, and the gift of love, wrapped up in sweet sounds of the season only he and his piano can provide.

Join Jim Brickman and friends this Christmas season for an unforgettable concert experience filled with music, laughter & heartwarming stories. Audiences can expect a captivating blend of timeless holiday classics, along with Brickman’s biggest hits like “The Gift,” “Love of my Life,” “Destiny,” “Valentine” and joyfully unexpected surprises.

Escape with Jim Brickman to a magical atmosphere that brings friends and family together to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.

Pet Photos with Santa
2025-12-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Brothers Country Supply, 1702 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Join Tails on Saturday, December 13th for Pet Pictures with Santa at Brothers Country Supply in DeKalb! From 9 AM – 3 PM, bring your furry friends for a heartwarming holiday photo with the big guy himself!

Every photo helps a pet in need- all proceeds benefit the animals at Tails Humane Society!

Celebrate the season and capture some adorable holiday memories.

Saturday December 13
9 – 3 PM
Brothers Country Supply
1702 Sycamore Rd
DeKalb, IL 60115

Free Visits with Santa
2025-12-13 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.

Present Wrapping Party
2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Do you struggle to find time and space to wrap holiday presents at home? Trying to keep the magic alive for the youngsters in your life, but their curiosity makes it tricky to keep surprises secret? Join a child-free gift-wrapping space!
Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and music while you prepare gifts for those you love. All wrapping supplies will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
This is a free event. Registration is not required. This program is for adults only.
For additional information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.

Visits with Santa
2025-12-13 11:00 - 13:00 | 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 | 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.

Santa Visit
2025-12-16 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-17 10:30 - 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!
