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Christmas with kids in Elgin
In Elgin, Santa helps the mayor switch on the holiday tree, and a symphony that has made Christmas music a yearly habit fills the Hemmens with carols. The city's traditions are easy for little ones to enjoy.
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Holiday Spectacular presented by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra
When: Sat, Dec 12, 2:30 and 7:30 pm; Sun, Dec 13, 2:30 pm
Where: Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin
Cost: $20 to $68
The story of Christmas in Elgin
How Elgin celebrates
Elgin's Christmas season begins with an annual tree lighting ceremony at DuPage Court, where the mayor, City Council members and Santa switch on the lights. The event is free, runs from 5 to 6 p.m. and offers activities and entertainment for guests of all ages. In December, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra brings its Holiday Spectacular to the Hemmens Cultural Center, which it bills as Elgin's annual holiday tradition. Families also visit Santa at local spots, and the Gail Borden Public Library has offered holiday photo times for children.
Christmas last year in Elgin
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the tree lighting took place at DuPage Court from 5 to 6 p.m., and the tree stayed lit through early January 2026. Two weeks later the Elgin Symphony Orchestra performed its Holiday Spectacular on December 13 and 14 at the Hemmens, with carols, modern favorites and a visit from Santa. Tickets ran from $20 to $70, and the orchestra offered free youth tickets for children 17 and under. The Elgin Police Department also held a Winter Open House on December 6 as a family event.
Fun facts about Christmas in Elgin
At the Elgin tree lighting, the mayor does not flip the switch alone. Santa joins him and the City Council to turn on the lights. In 2024 the tree also had a synchronized light show on select weekdays, and it stayed lit into the new year. The symphony's holiday show brings together the orchestra, the Elgin Master Chorale and young dancers from the Integrity School of Dance. At the Elgin History Museum, children can make LeeWards style ornaments for $5.
Trains and Christmas near Elgin
We did not find an Elgin Christmas train tradition to report, but trains are close by. The Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin lets families ride century-old electric cars along the Fox River, with rides on Sundays from Mother's Day to early November. The Illinois Railway Museum in Union runs electric, steam and diesel trains from April to October. Check each museum's own calendar before planning a winter visit.
- Fox River Trolley Museum: The closest rail museum to Elgin, with century-old electric trolley cars that run along the Fox River.
- Illinois Railway Museum: A huge railway museum with electric, steam and diesel trains and five display barns, with free parking.
Traditions today
- Elgin Holiday Tree Lighting: The mayor, City Council and Santa light the city tree at DuPage Court with free activities for all ages.
- Holiday Spectacular: The Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale play carols at the Hemmens, with Santa as a guest.
- Library Santa photos: Gail Borden Public Library has offered 30-minute Santa photo slots, with a keepsake for families who check out a book.
- Elgin Police Winter Open House: A family morning at the police department lobby in early December.
- LeeWards style ornaments at the museum: Kids make ornaments at the Elgin History Museum for a small fee.
- Santa breakfasts at local restaurants: Several Elgin area restaurants host breakfasts and cookie visits with Santa in December.
A fact for kids
In Elgin, Santa helps switch on the lights. At the city's tree lighting, the mayor, council members and Santa turn on the tree together, and it stays lit into early January.
Questions about Christmas in Elgin
What is the main Christmas tradition in Elgin?
Elgin's main tradition is its annual tree lighting ceremony at DuPage Court. The mayor, City Council members and Santa switch on the lights, and the event is free with activities and entertainment for all ages. The symphony's Holiday Spectacular is the other big yearly tradition for families.
Where is the Elgin holiday tree lighting?
The tree lighting takes place at DuPage Court, next to the Fountain Square Apartment Homes, at 40 DuPage Court in downtown Elgin. In 2024 and 2025 it ran from 5 to 6 p.m. For this year's date and details, see our Elgin Christmas events guide on this page.
When was the Elgin tree lighting last year?
It was on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 5 to 6 p.m. at DuPage Court. The mayor, council members and Santa turned on the lights, and the tree stayed lit through early January 2026. In 2024 the ceremony was held a day later on Saturday, November 30.
Does Santa come to the Elgin tree lighting?
Yes. Santa joins Mayor David Kaptain and members of the City Council to switch on the tree lights, according to the 2024 and 2025 listings. The ceremony also offers free activities and entertainment for guests of all ages, so kids have plenty to do before and after the countdown.
What is the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Holiday Spectacular?
It is a holiday concert that the orchestra bills as Elgin's annual holiday tradition. The show has favorite carols, updated modern holiday songs, the Elgin Master Chorale, the Integrity School of Dance and an appearance by Santa Claus. It takes place at the Hemmens Cultural Center on Symphony Way.
Is the Elgin Symphony holiday show good for kids?
It can be. The show includes Santa, young dancers and familiar carols, and in 2025 the orchestra offered free youth tickets for ages 17 and under by phone. Matinee performances on the weekend may suit little ones. Call the box office at 847-888-4000 with questions about seating.
When was the Holiday Spectacular held last year?
In 2025 the symphony performed the Holiday Spectacular on Saturday, December 13, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, December 14, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets ranged from $20 to $70. Families could call to ask about free youth tickets for children 17 and under.
How long does the Elgin tree stay lit?
The tree stays lit for several weeks. In 2025 the city said it would shine through early January 2026, and in 2024 it stayed lit through January 2025, with a synchronized light show on select weekdays. That gives families plenty of evenings to visit after the ceremony.
Can kids see Santa at the Gail Borden Public Library?
The library has offered a Holiday Santa Photo Op where families register for a 30-minute slot, and those who check out a book get a photo keepsake. The listing we found was for the 2025 season, so check the library's calendar for this year. Our Elgin Christmas events guide on this page lists confirmed dates.
What is the Elgin Police Winter Open House?
It is a family event at the Elgin Police Department lobby. In 2025 it was held on Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. It gives children a friendly look at the department during the holidays. Check the city's calendar for this year's date before you go.
What is the LeeWards ornament craft in Elgin?
The Elgin History Museum, at 360 Park Street, offered a craft where visitors make LeeWards style ornaments from noon to 3 p.m. for $5. Ask the museum what supplies are provided. The listing did not give a year, so confirm the date with the museum.
Where can my kids have breakfast with Santa near Elgin?
Several local restaurants have hosted Santa events, including Rosie O'Hare's Public House in East Dundee and Aliano's Ristorante in 2025, plus Santa visits at Alexander's Cafe in Elgin. Dates change each year, so check with the restaurant or our Elgin Christmas events guide on this page.
Does it snow in Elgin at Christmas?
Often, though not always. Elgin is in northern Illinois, so December brings cold weather and the chance of snow. Pack coats, hats and boots for outdoor events like the tree lighting, which takes place in the early evening when it gets dark and cold quickly.
How should I dress kids for the Elgin tree lighting?
Dress them in warm layers, a hat, gloves and snow boots. The ceremony runs from 5 to 6 p.m. after dark in late November, and the event is outdoors at DuPage Court. A thermos of hot cocoa from home helps if the line for activities is long.
How can I explain the tree lighting to my toddler?
Tell your toddler that the whole city gathers to turn on a big tree, and that Santa and the mayor help push the switch. Count down from five together, then point out the colors. You may want to stay just for the lighting.
Is there a Christmas parade in Elgin?
We did not find a regular Elgin Christmas parade in the sources we checked. The best known traditions are the downtown tree lighting and the symphony's holiday concert. Our Elgin Christmas events guide on this page lists the confirmed holiday events for this season.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Elgin?
Start at the tree at DuPage Court, which stays lit through early January. In 2024 it also had a synchronized light show on select weekdays. For other light displays nearby, see our Elgin Christmas events guide on this page, which lists the confirmed holiday dates for this season.
Where can kids see trains near Elgin?
The Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin runs century-old electric cars along the Fox River on Sundays from Mother's Day to early November. The Illinois Railway Museum in Union runs electric, steam and diesel trains from April to October. Check each museum's calendar for any holiday or winter openings.
Is there a trolley museum in Elgin?
Yes, nearby. The Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin is an all-volunteer museum where you ride century-old electric cars to a stop inside a forest preserve. Rides run on Sundays from Mother's Day to early November, with Saturdays added in July and August. Confirm dates before you drive.
Why is Christmas in Elgin special?
In Elgin, the mayor and Santa light the tree together, the symphony fills the Hemmens with carols, and the library, the police department and the history museum all host family programs. Kids can meet Santa in several places, so families can pick the setting that suits their little ones.
Sources
- Elgin Tree Lighting Ceremony (2024), Enjoy Illinois
- Holiday Spectacular presented by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Enjoy Illinois
- Elgin Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Explore Elgin Area
- Holiday Spectacular 2025, Elgin Symphony Orchestra
- Elgin area events calendar, Explore Elgin Area
- Fox River Trolley Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Illinois Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train