City of Joliet, IL
Home MenuEvents and Arts
Community Events
25th Anniversary Light Up the Holidays Parade & Festival
Joliet City Center Partnership
- Date: 11/24/2023 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Location: Downtown Joliet
Van Buren Plaza
Joliet, Illinois 60432 - Introduction: Come out and enjoy a full day of holiday fun. This year’s Light Up the Holidays event is sponsored by The University of St. Francis. This year’s event will include a North Pole Market, North Pole Park, horse-drawn carriage rides and the always spectacular parade and firework show!
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Downtown Joliet Light up the Holidays Festival and Parade! Enjoy a whole day of free activities including:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: North Pole Christmas Market at the Renaissance Center (See posts for details on character photos and vendors).
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Visit with Santa at the Joliet Area Historical Museum
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Black Willow Brass Quintet at Renaissance Center
1:30-5:30: Iceless skating rink, inflatable snow globe, kiddie train and Ferris Wheel at the North Pole Park (across from Rialto)
2-5 p.m. (line will close at 4:30 p.m.): Horse-drawn carriage rides
5:15 p.m.: Tree Lighting followed by the parade and fireworks
The downtown businesses will also host activities and specials for everyone.
We will also have a limited amount of 25th Anniversary commemorative mugs for sale in some of our restaurants and at the Christmas Market.
For more information: Light Up the Holidays
Winter Fun
Joliet is an energetic community full of diverse cultures and ethnicities. With a vibrant art, music, theatre, history and food scene, there is always something to do.