The 2023 Lemont Downtown Holiday Event Guide
The holiday season is finally upon us! Spend a few minutes in our picturesque downtown and you know that we have everything it takes to create a scene from a Hallmark movie. We’re a village that centers family and community all year long but during the holidays, we’re excited to share even more events and activities to celebrate the season.
Get an early start on your holiday shopping by supporting the small businesses throughout downtown, host your holiday party, or simply enjoy the lights, sights, and sounds of the seasons.
We’ll be updating this page all season long so be sure to check back for more events and details closer to the date and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Wagon of holiday cheer at Lemont area historical society and museum
Available now | Learn More
Win a Berlin red wagon filled with spirits and gifts from local Lemont businesses and neighbors. It's the ultimate holiday treasure. Tickets are available for $5 or 5 tickets for only $20. All sales raise money for the Lemont Area HIstorical Society and Museum.
Bath Salts Workshop at Aster Gardens
Sunday, November 12 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Register
Why buy it when you can make it from scratch? Join Aster Gardens this season for a series of workshops focused on making your own candles, bath salts, or wreaths. Keep them for yourself or gift them to a friend or family member.
Buckthorn Wreath Making at The Forge
Sunday, November 12 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Sign Up
Help The Forge: Lemont Quarries clear the invasive buckthorn species and turn a few of those pieces into a beautiful wreath to celebrate the season.
Winter Green Wreath Workshop at Aster Gardens
Various Dates + Times | Register Here
Take one of the famous Aster Gardens wreath classes and decorate your porch (or every corner of your home). Choose from a wide array of greens to construct an amazing wreath using seed pods, dried florals, and more to decorate!
Lemont: Images of America Book Release + Launch Party
Friday, November 17 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | Sign Up
Join authors Kevin Barron, Jason Berry, and Pat Camalliere as the Village of Lemont hosts the release of their book at the library to wrap up Lemont's 150th Anniversary Celebration. The open house will feature a book signing, a reading from the book, and refreshments.
Books will be available for purchase for the first 80 attendees. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Friends of the Lemont Library and Lemont Area Historical Society.
Friendsgiving Brunch with Pollyanna Social
Sunday, November 19 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Learn More
Call up your nearest and dearest or come solo where everyone wants to know your name. Pollyanna Social is celebrating Friendsgiving with four mouth-watering, southern-inspired brunch courses from Chef Joe of Southernish. Each course is paired with off-menu locally crafted cocktails inspired by the season by Pollyanna Social Master Mixologist Nick Miller.
QuarryCross at The Forge
Sunday, November 19 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Sign Up
New to the Chicago Cross Cup is DuPage Cycling Foundation’s Quarry Cross at The Forge! The Forge Adventure Park at the Lemont Quarries is an outstanding cyclocross venue with unique terrain, challenging trails and features, and food, beer and refreshments for racers, friends, and families.
{mini} Friendsgiving: a Giving Back Night Out at That Girl + Co
Tuesday, November 21
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Learn More
Even the tiniest of humans can be grateful. Drop your kids off with friends (or own their own) for pizza, treats, drinks, and Thanksgiving mini wreaths. The group will decorate duffle bags for Together We Rise, an organization that supports children experiencing foster care so that they’ll have their own special place.
Forest Bathing in the Lemont Heritage Corridor
Friday, November 24
8:45 AM - 11:00 AM | Sign Up
Journey into the forest with Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Sarah Alvastead, during this special season. The group will gather at Aster Gardens in Lemont Downtown before they begin our Forest Bathing walk with nature around us and ourselves. Reconnect to yourself through meditation, tea ceremony, and plenty of opportunities to give gratitude to the Earth.
Small Business Saturday + Ornament Walk
Saturday, November 25
ALL WEEKEND LONG
Our annual Ornament Walk sold out quickly, but everyone can celebrate the joy of shopping locally. All weekend long, get a free Archie sticker with your purchase from a local retailer. For every $50 you spend, you will be entered to win one of 6 limited-edition Archie stuffed animals!
Images of America: Book Signing & Author Meet n Greet at Three Stories Books
Saturday, November 25
1-2pm | Learn more
This book is the perfect gift for every lover of Lemont in your life! Pick your copy and meet the authors at Three Stories Books on Saturday, November 25 from 1-2 pm. The authors will make brief remarks about the book at 1:30 pm, and will otherwise be available for questions and book signings!
Lighting Up Lemont
Saturday, November 25 - Wednesday, January 31
All Day | Learn More
Put away your leftover turkey and brighten up your holiday season during this dazzling light display. Our dazzling holiday displays are nestled throughout our family-owned shops, restaurants, taverns, and breweries. Capture your holiday photos and magical moments.
Lighting Up Lemont will be on display from November 25 through January 31. Plan your visit now. This year’s light display is sponsored by Citgo, the Downtown Merchants Association, and the Village of Lemont.
Cheers from Smokey Row Book Talk and Spirit Sampling
Thursday, November 30 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CST | Learn More
You may be familiar with Lemont Downtown’s history as Smokey Row, but do you know the real story - how it started, how it ended, and how it connects the brewers and distillers from Pollyanna who call Lemont home today?
Taste your way through history–starting with Lemont’s first settlers: the Irish, the German, the Polish, and the Scandinavians. All the while, soak up local fun facts that will impress every long-time Lemonter you know!
Tickets are $25 and include a pint of Lemont 150 Lager, a pint of Full Lemonty, and 2-3 .5oz shots of the spirits. Books will be available to purchase.
Hometown Holiday
Saturday, December 2 | 2:30 - 10:00 PM | Learn More
Join us on Saturday, December 2 for the annual Hometown Holiday Festival in Lemont Downtown. Enjoy cookies and cocoa, write letters to Santa, create crafts, and sing carols to light the night with cheer. Stay for a visit with Santa and his elves and the official Christmas Tree Lighting.
Toys for Tots | Multiple Times and Locations
Donations will be accepted of NEW, UNWRAPPED toys for all ages as well as coats, hats, gloves, and scarves are welcome at the following locations in town, with their final destination being the Hometown Holiday event in downtown Lemont, arriving around 5:00 p.m.
On SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023
Target / Kohl's Plaza | 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pete's Market Plaza | 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hometown Holiday on Front Street | 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Lemont Fire Department | Lemont Tractor Club
United Sertoma Lemont Chapter | Lemont Lions Club
Sure Fire Auto Parts | Mama D's | Lemont Public Library
12 Tidings of Christmas in Lemont Downtown
Saturday, December 2 | 6:00 - 10:00 PM | Learn More
On the first day of Christmas, Lemont Downtown gave to me: 12 more reasons to eat, drink, and shop locally. Gather your true loves and turtle doves, for the event full of new collections, exclusive specials, and fun giveaways. During the 12 Tidings of Christmas, visit our list of participating shops to join in the spirit of this late-night event filled with tons of holiday magic for grown-ups.
15th Annual Frigid 5K by Lemont Parks
Sunday, December 3 | All Day | Learn More
Wear your ugliest holiday sweaters and enjoy the chilly run through Centennial Park for the 15th Annual Frigid 5K at the Lemont Park District. Stick around for the fun after-party with a hot chocolate bar, award ceremony, and refreshments. Register by November 24 to join in on the fun.
Brewed Alternatives Book Club
at Pollyanna Brewing Company
Thursday, December 7 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM | Register Today
From graphic novels and horror to obscure film and radio dramas, Brewed Alternatives offers a space to discuss media not often found in other book clubs while enjoying a good drink. This month’s selection is Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom. Grab a copy for the Lemont Library and join the group for a discussion.
Ugly Sweater Pet Pawrade & Photos with SantA
Sunday, December 10 | 11:30am - 4:00 PM | Stay Tuned!
Join us for our third-annual ugly sweater pet parade and holiday festival of fur in Lemont Downtown on 12/10. You and your four-legged friends will be waggin' in a winter wonderland in Lemont Downtown.
Happy Bookers Book Club at Pollyanna Social
Wednesday, December 13
7:00 - 8:00 PM | Register Here
Join the Lemont Public Library’s Fiction & Collection Development Library, Maureen, for “The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard,” by Kate Robards with a special appearance by the author. Grab a copy of the book at the Library or your favorite independent bookstore and make new friends in the community for a discussion over cocktails.
Barrel & Vine Brunch with Santa
Sunday, December 10 & Sunday, December 17
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM | Sign Up
For the 3rd year in a row, Santa pays a visit to Barrel & Vine during his busiest season. Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet with your little ones and get their pictures taken with Santa Claus. Reservations are highly recommended. Adults (12+) are $34.95. Jr. Members (5-12 Years) are $18.95. Complimentary admission for children 4 years old and under.
