DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau

2025 Genoa-Kingston Christmas Craft Walk
2025-12-04 09:00 - 2025-12-06 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Genoa, IL, Genoa, Illinois
Grab your friends and shop for handcrafted treasures at the 51st Annual Genoa-Kingston Christmas Craft Walk Dec. 4 – Dec. 6, 2025! Visit each home, business, and organization on the map to discover one-of-a-kind holiday décor, gifts, and tasty treats.

This is a shopping experience like no other! Over 100 local crafters, artisans, and bakers will be at 17 locations throughout Genoa and Kingston. Visit at least ten stops on the map to be entered for a chance to win a giveaway basket!

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
The Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series is presented by the Ellwood House Museum and DeKalb County History Center in partnership with DeKalb area historic sites. Once a month, a knowledgeable speaker will present an hour-long program about history relevant to DeKalb County. All programs are free of charge, and guests are invited to bring their lunch.

Program descriptions can be found at ellwoodhouse.org and dekalbcountyhistory.org.

May 1 – 2025 Ellwood House Exhibit Preview

June 5 – The Interrelation of Art + History

August 7 – Off to School: Then & Now at North Grove One-room School

September 4 – Remembering The GoodTymes: A Decade of Picnics

October 2 – Historic Homes Tour Sneak Preview

November 6 – Kernels of Corn: History of Cornsilk Magazine

December 4 – The Heiress & the Interpreter: Investigating the ill-fated “Engagement” of Elise Ellwood to Said Kalil Haick, July 1907

Lights on Lincoln and Santa Comes to Town
2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Downtown DeKalb, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Join the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for Lights on Lincoln & Santa Comes to Town – an enchanting night to welcome the holiday spirit! Stroll through Downtown DeKalb as sparkling lights line the streets, and wave to Santa himself as he travels through Downtown DeKalb. Welcome Santa as he stops in front of the Egyptian Theatre and leads the magical Christmas tree lighting in Van Buer Plaza.

After the Christmas tree lighting, sip on hot chocolate and visit with Santa inside his cozy house – the perfect spot for sharing your wishes and taking a festive photo!

This is event is free to attend.

Christmas in The Crib
2025-12-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 16:00 | The Crib, Studio of Valerie Weberpal, 16521 Swanson Road, Sycamore, Illinois, 60178, United States
Check out vintage goods, art, and Christmas items in The Crib in Sycamore, IL!

Celebrate the Season
2025-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Genoa, Genoa, IL
Hometown traditions are back – join the Genoa Area Chamber for Celebrate the Season on Friday, December 5th!

They will be hosting the 24th Annual Jingle Bell Walking Parade, which brings Santa’s Arrival! After the parade they celebrate with a Tree Lighting Ceremony. The fun continues with wagon rides, a petting zoo, free pictures with Santa, candy canes, a coloring contest & more!

Walk with Santa
2025-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Sycamore, Sycamore, Illlinois, 60178
At 4pm the Sycamore Theater will be featuring a special Holiday movie before Santa’s arrival!

At 6pm the Sycamore Fire Department will escort Santa and Ms. Claus to the Sycamore Theater.

We will then parade Santa and Mrs. Claus through downtown Sycamore to the courthouse lawn where with your help, Santa will light the holiday trees.

Santa will be anxious to make his way to his Santa House where children can present him with their wish list.

2025 DAWC Annual Local Holiday Shopping Fair
2025-12-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-06 09:00 - 16:00 | DeKalb Area Women’s, 1021 State St, DeKalb, IL, 60115
The annual, local, DAWC Holiday Shopping Fair will be 6-9pm Friday, December 5 and 9am-4pm Saturday, December 6. The wares are wonderful, the music is magnificent, the people are pleasant, friends are fine, prices are pinpointed for DeKalb area, facilities are festive, refreshments are rich, shopping is superior, festivities are fabulous. All is waiting for you!

Breakfast with Santa
2025-12-06 09:00 - 10:30 | River Heights Golf Course, 1020 Sharon Dr, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Santa is coming to town!
Come see the big guy in person, participate in a craft, listen to holiday stories, and enjoy a light buffet breakfast. Space is limited. Sign up early! Registration is required and must be paid in advance. Day-of registration is not accepted.
Registration is required for each individual 3 years of age and older.
Registration is free for those ages 2 and under.
$15 Resident / $19 Non Resident
Registration Deadline: 12/3 (or until sold out)

Visits with Santa
2025-12-06 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
2025-12-06 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-07 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.

Holiday Open House at DeKalb County History Center
2025-12-06 12:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main Street, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
On December 6 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Open House will feature free tours of the award-winning exhibit “FOOD: Gathering Around the Table.” Additionally, visitors will find hot chocolate, snacks, and crafts to enjoy.

“It’s the time of year where we want to say thank you to our supporters and invite new people to visit the History Center,” said Michelle Donahoe, DeKalb County History Center’s Executive Director. She continues, “Having events like this create an opportunity for the community to come and check out this great local treasure and even start a new family tradition. There is something for everyone at this event.”

“FOOD: Gathering Around the Table” hosted in collaboration with the Smithsonian is one of five displays throughout the country. Stories about agriculture, food and technology, local festivals, and everyday cooking are all included, plus a hand-on section for the younger visitors to play “grocery store.”

The DeKalb County History Center is located at 1730 N. Main Street. The Holiday Open House is Saturday, December 6 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, donations are welcome. For more information visit sycamorehistory.org or call 815-895-5762.

Shabbona Winter Festival
2025-12-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Purdy Park, 205 E Navaho Ave, Shabbona, IL, 60550, United States
The 4th Annual Village of Shabbona Winter Festival includes Santa Claus, a tree lighting ceremony, vendor/craft fair, hot cocoa, food, Belgian horse drawn wagon rides, and games & activities for all ages.

Holiday Traditions Weekend
2025-12-06 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-07 13:00 - 16:00 | 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!

Celebration Chorale Christmas Cantata
2025-12-06 19:00 - 20:00, 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.

Jazz in Progress Christmas Concert
2025-12-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave, Sycamore
Jazz in Progress will partner with Chapter DX of Philanthropic Educational Organization International to hold its third annual Christmas concert. The free concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6th at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Avenue.
The band will perform Christmas songs in a big band and modern jazz-style music format. Attendees are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and free will offerings to the Sycamore Food Pantry.
Nonprofit Jazz in Progress raises funds for local community music programs, including the DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa-Kingston, Hinckley-Big Rock, Indian Creek, Sandwich, Somonauk, Earlville and Leland school districts, St. Mary’s School in DeKalb and the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
P.E.O. International’s chapter is an education organization that motivates woman to achieve high education and celebrates women’s advancement through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship.
For information, visit facebook.com/JazzInProgress or peointernational.org

Holiday Photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus
2025-12-07 11:00 - 13:00 | Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
Capture the magic of the season at Blumen Gardens with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Bring the whole family to snap a memorable holiday photo surrounded by the cozy charm of the gardens.

Holiday at the Homestead Open House 2025
2025-12-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Glidden Historical Center, 921 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The historic J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center will host its “Holiday at the Homestead” open house on Sunday, December 7, from 12-4 p.m. at the museum, 921 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.

Holiday at the Homestead will be held on the second floor of the home, only accessible by a flight of stairs. Please contact Glidden Homestead at 815-756-7904 or email jessi@gliddenhomestead.org for more information.

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.

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 | 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 | 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.
