Home for the Holidays in Northwest Illinois
Our corner of Northwest Illinois—Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties—comes alive with the kind of holiday spirit you can feel. Across our small towns, lights twinkle, carolers sing, and neighbors gather to share the warmth of the season. It’s a time for togetherness, simple joys, and creating memories that remind us what truly matters.
Find Your Perfect Christmas Tree
There’s nothing quite like the scent of fresh pine filling your home. Local Christmas tree farms across the region are opening their gates and sharpening the saws, ready to help you find the one. Whether you’re after a perfectly shaped pre-cut fir or the fun of a cut-your-own adventure, it’s a chance to get outside, sip hot cocoa, and make a day of it. These moments—muddy boots, rosy cheeks, and laughter echoing through the fields—are the heart of the holidays.
Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm
7250 Garden Plain Rd., Fulton, IL, 61252, 815-632-7572
Sinnissippi Farm & Forest
3122 S. Lowden Rd., Oregon, IL 61061, 708-710-8354
Strom Christmas Tree Farm
314 Hand Ave., Dixon, IL 61021
Baileyville Christmas Trees | Open ONE Weekend
200 S. Pearl St., Baileyville, IL 61007, 815-233-9084
Bybee Christmas Tree Farm | Open ONE Weekend
3383 Herman Rd., Lee, IL 60530, 815-757-5465
Dollinger Christmas Tree Farm
23882 Payne Rd., Shannon, IL 61078, 815-864-2437
Admire the Twinkling Lights
When night falls, pile into the car, turn up the holiday tunes, and chase the glow. Our communities know how to put on a show!
Start with the Rock Falls’ Holiday Light Display at Centennial Park, open every Friday through Sunday from Nov. 28 to Dec. 27. More than 20 creative light scenes, crafted by local businesses and groups, illuminate the park. On select nights, you’ll even find wagon rides, Santa visits, and the kind of small-town magic that makes you believe again.
Embrace the Spirit of Community
There’s no place like a small town for the holidays—and no better way to feel that warmth than at a local Christmas Walk.
39th Annual Oregon Candlelight Walk returns Saturday, Dec. 6 (this is a rescheduled date due to a winter storm on Nov. 29), filling its historic downtown with glowing luminaries, live music, and the joyful clip-clop of horse-drawn wagon rides. The following weekend, Dixon’s Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 5, brings the community together for tree lightings, carolers, and downtown festivities that have become a beloved tradition. Bundle up, bring a friend, and join the celebrations that make every community sparkle in its own way. And the celebration doesn’t stop there—our region’s holiday calendar is brimming with cheer:
Rock Falls Hometown Holidays Christmas Walk on Nov. 21, 2025
Savanna Christmas Walk on Nov. 28, 2025
Sights & Sounds Christmas Walk in Downtown Sterling on Dec. 5, 2025
Byron’s 28th Annual Miracle on 2nd Street on Dec. 5, 2025
Mount Carroll Christmas Walk & Home Tours Weekend on Dec. 5-6, 2025
Polo Christmas Festival on Dec. 6, 2025
CANCELED | Christmas Walk at Heritage Canyon on Dec. 6, 2025
42nd Christmas Walk at the Dillon Home Museum on Dec. 12-14, 2025
Amboy Hometown Christmas Walk on Dec. 13, 2025
Find Warmth & Cheer with Local Entertainment
When the weather outside is frightful, our local theaters offer something delightful. Enjoy festive productions that’ll have you laughing, singing, and remembering why this time of year feels so special.
A holiday favorite, “Scrooge the Comedy” returns to the White Pines Lodge Dinner Theater beginning Dec. 9. This hilarious, audience-participation twist on A Christmas Carol has been a White Pines tradition for more than 30 years—and it’s sure to keep everyone laughing well into the New Year.
Make It a Season to Remember
From candlelit streets and festive concerts to cozy farms and community gatherings, Northwest Illinois shines brightest during the holidays. So grab your mittens, gather your loved ones, and take a drive through our corner of the state—where every small town glows with warmth, wonder, and the spirit of the season.