Geneva holiday guide 2026: Christmas Walk, lights and more

Geneva's Christmas Walk is Friday, Dec. 4, Winter Wonder Lights opens Nov. 28 at Peck Farm Park and the Holiday House Tour runs Dec. 4 and 5. Most of the big nights are free. Here is what the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Geneva Park District have on the 2026 calendar, with dates confirmed on their own pages.

Winter Wonder Lights at Peck Farm Park, Nov. 28 to Jan. 1

The park district's light display at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Rd., is on daily from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1, 5 to 10 p.m. You can stroll the lit paths with no registration and no fee.

Opening night is the free Winter Wonder Lights Celebration Kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. The courtyard lights come on at 5 p.m. sharp. Expect hot cocoa and s'mores by the fire pit, letters to Santa and holiday music.

Artists Sunday Road Rally, Nov. 29

On Sunday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Geneva hosts a self-guided art tour tied to the national Artists Sunday movement. The City says you can meet local artists, watch live demonstrations and see in-store exhibits while you shop.

Christmas Walk, Dec. 4

This is the night most families plan around. The chamber's Christmas Walk starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, and Santa arrives and the Great Tree is lit on the Kane County Courthouse lawn between 6 and 6:30 p.m. The mayor gets the first candy cane of the season, Santa Lucia lights the tree, and the evening rolls on with strolling carolers, roasted chestnuts, a live nativity and specials from downtown merchants. The City's calendar lists the event from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Holiday House Tour, Dec. 4 and 5

The same weekend, five Geneva homes decorated by local designers open for self-guided tours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are $42 from the chamber's online store, by phone at 630-232-6060, or at the chamber office, 8 S. Third St. The chamber notes the tour may sell out. If tickets remain, you can buy them day of at Little Red Barn Door, 21 S. Third St.

More Peck Farm nights in December

• Gingerbread Barn Raising, Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 to 6 p.m. Decorate a gingerbread barn with hot cocoa and holiday music in the Orientation Barn. One registration covers up to six people. $72 for residents, $92 for nonresidents. Registration required.
• Lights & Flights Craft Beer Festival, Saturday, Dec. 12. A new 21+ festival under the lights with 15 sample pours and a commemorative glass. General admission runs 4 to 7 p.m. for $55. VIP gets in an hour early for $70. Designated driver tickets are $15.
• Bagpipes & Bonfire, Monday, Dec. 21, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. A winter solstice bonfire with bagpipe music and hot chocolate. $10 adults and $5 children for residents ($15 and $7 for nonresidents). Kids 2 and under are free.

Also on the park district calendar

• Holiday Movie Night: The Grinch (2018), Monday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m. At Playhouse 38, 321 Stevens St., Suite P. $15 per person, with festive snacks.
• Polar Express Storytime Train, Dec. 5 and 6. At the Geneva Train Station. The park district lists this event as full.

Before you go

Park district events marked registration required fill up, so sign up early on genevaparks.org. For the Christmas Walk, plan for a cold December evening outdoors downtown.