Home Events - Real Woodstock Annual Lighting of the Square

Annual Lighting of the Square

Kick Off the Holiday Season in Woodstock!

Visit the beautiful and historic Woodstock Square on the Friday after Thanksgiving and help us welcome the official start of the holiday season! With the flip of a switch, tens of thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the Park trees and Square buildings, bringing the magic of Christmas to life in a charming Victorian-era setting.

πŸŽ„ Lighting Ceremony: Begins at 7:00 PM in the Park-in-the-Square, but the fun starts early!
From 4 – 8:00 PM, enjoy holiday carolers and music, children’s activities, charitable opportunities, shopping at downtown boutiques, and dining at local restaurants.

Festive Highlights Include:

  • A grand entrance by Santa Claus before the ceremony

  • A visit with The Grinch at the Grinch & Greet, hosted by the Woodstock Recreation Department

  • Opera House Christmas Tree Walk – dozens of beautifully decorated trees by local organizations

  • Old Courthouse Center Gingerbread House Walk – a festive favorite for all ages

  • Woodstock Public Library Storytime & Crafts for kids

  • β€œStuff the Squad” community giving opportunity with the Woodstock Police Department

  • Performances by the Woodstock Brass Choir and Dickens Carollers

Bundle up, bring the family, and make this timeless Woodstock tradition part of your holiday season!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4:00 – 7:00 PM – Recreation Department Grinch N’ Greet
Location: Ethereal’s Courthouse Square in the Old Courthouse Center

4:00 – 8:00 PM – Annual Tree Walk
Location: Opera House

4:00 – 8:00 PM – Gingerbread Walk
Location: Old Courthouse Center

4:00 – 8:00 PM – Library Story Time and Crafts
Location: Stage Left

4:00 – 8:00 PM – Stuff the Squad – PD Toy Drive
Location: In front of Read Between the Lynes

4:00 – 8:00 PM – Holiday Selfie Stations
Location: Around the Square

4:30 – 8:00 PM – Food Trucks
Location: East & West Jackson Street

5:00 PM – Santa’s Arrival by Firetruck

5:00 – 6:30 PM – Brass Choir Performance
Location: Bandstand

5:00 – 6:30 PM – Dickens Carollers
Location: Around the Square

5:15 – 7:00 PM – Firetruck Photo Op with Woodstock Fire & Rescue District
Location: Benton Street, across from Rocket Fizz

5:15 – 6:45 PM – Santa Visits
Location: Benton Street near the Santa Hut, presented by Rotary Club of Woodstock

5:30 – 7:00 PM – Donuts, courtesy of Woodstock Heating & Cooling
Location: Spring House

6:35 – 6:55 PM – Community Choir Sings
Location: Bandstand

7:00 – 7:10 PM – Lighting Ceremony
Location: Bandstand and Park in the Square

7:15 – 7:45 PM – Santa/Willie Photo Ops
Location: Park in the Square

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:
Starlight Sponsors:
ComEd, An Exelon Company
KUNES Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Woodstock
Trotter & Associates, Inc.
Snowman Sponsors:
Home State Bank
Sofie’s Whiskey & Wine
Squire on the Square
Terrabis Dispensary Woodstock
Woodstock Chevrolet
Snowball Sponsors:
BMO
ComEd
Northwest Herald
Woodstock Country Club
Woodstock Heating & Cooling
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Date

Nov 28 2025

Time

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ticket Link

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Location

Woodstock Square
121 Van Buren St. Woodstock, IL 60098
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