Free events in the Tri-Cities for the rest of November
A library concert, an author fest and a Thanksgiving weekend full of tree lightings and a parade. Every event here lists free admission.
Key takeaways
- 10 free events are still ahead on the WRT calendar through Nov. 30, plus the Nov. 30 Love for Arlie blood drive.
- Thanksgiving weekend has free tree lightings in all three towns and the St. Charles parade.
- Some free events ask you to register: Barnyard Books, Under the Mistletoe and the scam seminar.
Updated Nov. 13, 2026: Events from Nov. 10 and 11 have passed and were removed.
The rest of November in the Tri-Cities ends with the holiday lights coming on in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia, and plenty of it costs nothing. Every event below lists free admission on its official page. A few ask you to register, so check the link before you go.
Mid-month
- Sat., Nov. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. | Geneva: Local Author Fest at the Geneva Public Library. Admission is free, and signed books are for sale. Details
- Sun., Nov. 15, 2 p.m. | St. Charles: The WWII Radio Hour brings a 1940s radio show to the St. Charles Public Library. Drop in. Details
- Fri., Nov. 20, 10 a.m. | St. Charles: Barnyard Books storytime at Primrose Farm, from the library and park district. Free, but register each child. Details
Thanksgiving weekend
This is when the free events stack up.
- Fri., Nov. 27, 5 p.m. | St. Charles: Lighting of the Lights opens Holiday Homecoming at 1st Street Plaza, with high school choirs and Santa. Details
- Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m. | St. Charles: A free screening of Elf at the Arcada Theatre. Doors open at 9 a.m. Details
- Sat., Nov. 28, 5 to 7 p.m. | Geneva: Winter Wonder Lights kickoff at Peck Farm Park, with the courtyard lit at 5 p.m. sharp and cocoa and s'mores after. Details
- Sat., Nov. 28, 5:30 p.m. | St. Charles: The Electric Christmas Parade runs down Main Street from 6th Street to 4th Avenue. Details
- Sun., Nov. 29, 2 p.m. | Geneva: Under the Mistletoe holiday concert at the Geneva Public Library. Registration requested. Details
- Sun., Nov. 29, 5 to 7 p.m. | Batavia: Celebration of Lights on the Riverwalk, with a sing-along, Santa and the tree lighting. Hayrides are free with a food donation for the Batavia Food Pantry. Details
- Sun., Nov. 29, 5 to 7 p.m. | Batavia: The Batavia Depot Museum opens its free Holiday Cheer exhibit the same evening. Details
Free to give
Blood drives do not cost anything but an hour. There is one left this month: the Love for Arlie drive in St. Charles, which moved from Nov. 18 to Nov. 30. Book a time through the link, or see our blood drive guide for December dates.
Before you head out
Library concerts are drop-in, but seats can fill. Outdoor events can change with the weather, so check the event page the day of. Want more? See our full events calendar.
What you need to know
- Nov. 27: Lighting of the Lights, St. Charles, 5 p.m.
- Nov. 28: Electric Christmas Parade, St. Charles, 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 28: Winter Wonder Lights kickoff, Peck Farm Park, 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 29: Celebration of Lights, Batavia Riverwalk, 5-7 p.m.
Sources
- Batavia Park District: Depot Museum Holiday Cheer opening
- St. Charles Public Library: Barnyard Books
- Geneva Public Library: Under the Mistletoe
- Batavia Park District: Celebration of Lights
- St. Charles Public Library: WWII Radio Hour
- St. Charles Holiday Homecoming
- Geneva Park District: Winter Wonder Lights
- Geneva Public Library: Local Author Fest
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