Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Waukegan
In Waukegan, the Christmas season kicks off downtown. A tree lights up at Jack Benny Plaza, a library market fills with local makers, and Santa is never far away, even when the snow keeps falling.
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The story of Christmas in Waukegan
Downtown lights and a library market
Waukegan's holiday season centers on downtown Genesee Street. For years the city has lit a Christmas tree at Jack Benny Plaza, at the corner of Genesee and Clayton streets, and paired it with a Kris Kringle Market hosted by the Waukegan Public Library. In 2023 the tree lighting was at 5 pm, with a visit from Santa in the evening. The city now calls the day Jingle on Genesee. A second downtown festival, HolidayWauk, adds Breakfast with Santa, free crafts and another tree lighting ceremony in December.
Christmas last year in Waukegan
Jingle on Genesee took place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, together with the Kris Kringle Artist Market. A winter storm was on the way, with the National Weather Service forecasting 8 to 12 inches of snow at about an inch per hour, yet the city decided to go ahead. An official said the goal was to give the community this experience. Later in December, families could attend the Magic of Christmas Celebration at Lakehurst Center on December 13 and free photos with Santa at Belvidere Mall on December 14 and 21. HolidayWAUK returned downtown on December 20.
Fun facts about Christmas in Waukegan
The downtown tree lighting happens at Jack Benny Plaza, at the corner of Genesee and Clayton streets. The Waukegan Park District offered 15 holiday programs in December 2024, including a Zumba Kids class called Santa's Little Helpers, a hot chocolate walk and the Bowen Park Theatre production of A Christmas Carol. Santa and Mrs. Claus have also visited the Jane Addams Center, where in 2022 children could tell them their wishes. The season wraps up with the 25th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Waukegan Municipal Beach on New Year's Day 2024.
Trains and Christmas near Waukegan
The nearest train museums are a drive away from Waukegan. The Illinois Railway Museum in Union runs electric, steam and diesel trains on open days from April to October, with one ticket for rides and all five display barns. The Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin lets families ride century-old electric cars to a forest preserve stop. In Chicago, Pullman National Historical Park explores the town where Pullman railcars were built.
- Illinois Railway Museum: Billed as the largest railway museum in the country, with electric, steam and diesel trains and free parking.
- Fox River Trolley Museum: Ride century-old electric trolley cars along the Fox River to a stop inside a forest preserve.
- Pullman National Historical Park: A national park in the Chicago company town where Pullman railcars were built.
Traditions today
- Jingle on Genesee tree lighting: A downtown celebration where the city lights its Christmas tree at Jack Benny Plaza at the start of the season.
- Kris Kringle Market: The Waukegan Public Library hosts a holiday market of local makers on tree lighting day.
- HolidayWauk: A downtown festival with Breakfast with Santa, free holiday crafts and a tree lighting ceremony to close the day.
- Photos with Santa: Free photos with Santa at Belvidere Mall and park district photo sessions each December.
- A Christmas Carol at Bowen Park Theatre: A family production staged by the Waukegan Park District in mid December.
- Polar Bear Plunge: A New Year's Day dip in Lake Michigan at the Waukegan Municipal Beach with the 25th plunge announced for January 1, 2024.
A fact for kids
In Waukegan, the Christmas tree lights up downtown at Jack Benny Plaza. In 2025 the city lit it on a day when a big snowstorm was on the way.
Questions about Christmas in Waukegan
How does Waukegan celebrate Christmas?
Waukegan celebrates with a downtown tree lighting at Jack Benny Plaza, a library Kris Kringle Market, a HolidayWauk festival with Breakfast with Santa and crafts, free photos with Santa, and park district programs. Most events are family friendly and several are free, so they are easy to mix and match.
What is Jingle on Genesee?
Jingle on Genesee is Waukegan's downtown holiday celebration on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It combines the annual Christmas tree lighting with the Kris Kringle Market. In 2025 it took place on November 29, even though a large snowstorm was forecast for the area that day.
Where is the Waukegan Christmas tree lighting?
The tree lighting takes place at Jack Benny Plaza, at the corner of Genesee Street and Clayton Street in downtown Waukegan. In 2023 the ceremony started at 5 pm. Dress warmly, because it is an outdoor event in a lakefront town where December evenings get very cold.
What is the Kris Kringle Market in Waukegan?
The Kris Kringle Market is a holiday market hosted by the Waukegan Public Library on tree lighting day. In 2023 it ran from 1 pm to 8 pm. Local artists and makers sell gifts, and it fits neatly into an afternoon before the tree lights up at Jack Benny Plaza.
What is HolidayWauk?
HolidayWauk is a downtown Waukegan holiday festival, also written HolidayWAUK. A recent December edition offered Breakfast with Santa at Green Town, free holiday craft making, a gaming tournament and a tree lighting ceremony at Jack Benny Plaza that closed the day. Another edition on December 20 doubled as an art walk.
What happened at Christmas in Waukegan last year?
In 2025 Waukegan held Jingle on Genesee on November 29, then the Magic of Christmas Celebration at Lakehurst Center on December 13, free photos with Santa at Belvidere Mall on December 14 and 21, and HolidayWAUK downtown on December 20. School break programs followed at the Belvidere Recreation Center.
Did snow stop the Waukegan tree lighting in 2025?
No, the city went ahead with the tree lighting despite heavy snow. The National Weather Service had forecast 8 to 12 inches, falling at about an inch an hour. An official said they wanted to give the community this experience,. Check the city's announcements if bad weather is forecast for the current year.
Where can kids see Santa in Waukegan?
Kids can see Santa at Jingle on Genesee and HolidayWauk downtown, at free photo days at Belvidere Mall, and at Waukegan Park District photo sessions. In 2022 Santa and Mrs. Claus also visited the Jane Addams Center. Check our Waukegan Christmas events guide on this page for this year's dates.
Are there free Santa photos in Waukegan?
Yes, free photos with Santa were offered at Belvidere Mall on December 14 and 21 in 2025. The Waukegan Park District has also held a Photos with Santa morning in mid December. Dates change each year, so look at our Waukegan Christmas events guide on this page before you go.
What is the Magic of Christmas Celebration?
The Magic of Christmas Celebration is a December event listed for Waukegan at Lakehurst Center. In 2025 it was held on Saturday, December 13. The Visit Lake County Santa page lists it alongside other Santa events, so you can look there for other Santa visits. Check the listing for the current year before you go.
What holiday shows can kids see in Waukegan?
The Waukegan Park District has staged A Christmas Carol at Bowen Park Theatre, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances in mid December 2024. Check the park district's current program guide to see whether a holiday show is planned for this year.
What does the Waukegan Park District offer at Christmas?
In December 2024 the park district listed 15 holiday programs, including a hot chocolate walk, parent and child holiday crafts, a Zumba Kids class called Santa's Little Helpers, Photos with Santa, a family winter swim night and A Christmas Carol. Check the park district for registration and prices.
What is there to do over school break in Waukegan?
In 2025 the Belvidere Recreation Center ran school break programs from 7 am to 6 pm, with themed days such as Candy Cane Day, Holiday Hats and Ugly Christmas Sweaters, plus crafts and games. The park district also offered a Happy Hibernation nature program on December 23.
Is there a Christmas parade in Waukegan?
We did not find a regular Christmas parade in the sources we checked. Waukegan's biggest holiday gatherings are the Jingle on Genesee tree lighting and the HolidayWauk festival downtown. Both have Santa and kid activities, so they work as the main events for families with young children.
What is the Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge?
The Polar Bear Plunge is a New Year's Day event at the Waukegan Municipal Beach, hosted by the Waukegan Park District and the city. It supports Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County. The 25th plunge was announced for January 1, 2024. Check the current listing for details on how families can take part.
Where is the Jack Benny Plaza in Waukegan?
Jack Benny Plaza is the downtown Waukegan square at the corner of Genesee Street and Clayton Street. It is where the city lights its Christmas tree each year, and it also hosted the closing tree lighting ceremony at HolidayWauk. Look for the tree and the crowd near the corner.
How can I explain the tree lighting to a toddler?
Tell your toddler that the whole town gathers to turn on the big tree together, and that Santa may be nearby. Practice a countdown at home. Bring a hat, mittens and a snack, and plan to watch from a spot where little ones can see and leave early if needed.
What does the Waukegan Public Library do at Christmas?
The Waukegan Public Library hosts the Kris Kringle Market on tree lighting day, and the library is part of the Jingle on Genesee celebration downtown. Check the library calendar for any holiday programs, and see our Waukegan Christmas events guide on this page for confirmed dates.
How do I find this year's Waukegan holiday dates?
Dates change every year, so check our Waukegan Christmas events guide on this page for what we have confirmed for 2026. For last year's pattern, Jingle on Genesee was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Check the city, park district and Visit Lake County calendars again closer to the date.
Are there train museums near Waukegan?
Yes. The Illinois Railway Museum in Union is billed as the largest railway museum in the country, and the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin runs century-old electric cars. The Illinois Railway Museum runs trains on open days from April to October, so check both museums' hours before planning a Christmas visit.
Sources
- Waukegan holds Christmas tree lighting despite heavy snow, Ground News
- City of Waukegan, City of Progress (December 2023 e-news), City of Waukegan
- Visit Santa, Visit Lake County
- Waukegan Park District to Celebrate Holiday Season with Festive Programs and Events, Waukegan Park District
- Things to do this weekend, December 5 to 7, Visit Lake County
- Winter Break in Lake County 2025, Visit Lake County
- Families can visit Santa and Friends at Jane Addams Center in Waukegan, CBS Chicago
- Illinois Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Fox River Trolley Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Pullman National Historical Park, Rally Takes the Train