Back November 18, 2024
Travel Blog, Trip Ideas

Holiday magic is coming to Northwest IL!

Small town holiday celebrations surround us!

Our Northwest Illinois region of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties is ready for the holidays. Community events are scheduled and are embacing unity, sharing joy, and fostering togetherness this time of year. It’s time to create cherished memories while embracing live music, carolers, and street performances. We invite you to scroll through our Christmas tree farm offerings and the amazing holiday experiences waiting for you!

Cut on your own or precut?

Ahhhh, the smell of fresh pine in your home. There is nothing better. Our Christmas tree farms will be open very soon. Many have the option of buying precut trees, or if the spirit moves you, go out and cut your own!

Check out some of our local tree farms and find the right one for you and your family.

Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm

Christmas Tree Farm Whiteside County

Sinnissippi Farm & Forest

Christmas Tree Farm Ogle County
Shopping

Strom Christmas Tree Farm

Christmas Tree Farm Lee County
Shopping

Baileyville Christmas Trees

Christmas Tree Farm Ogle County

Admire our twinkling lights

Whether you’re all piled in the car with family and friends, there are many dazzling holiday light displays to view once the sun sets.

Light displays bring out everyone’s sparkling personalities. Check out Rock Fall’s Holiday Lighted Display, held every weekend from Nov. 29-Dec. 28.

Embrace Community Spirit

By visiting any one of our local Christmas walks, you’ll feel all the feels by embracing unity, sharing joy, and fostering a sense of togetherness.

Featured here is the 38th Annual Oregon Candlelight Walk. Coming up the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30.

 

Visit cherished community events

Walk the many historic streets all decked out in holiday style. Sing with the carolers, ride in horse-drawn wagons, and ohh and ahh when the town Christmas tree is lit.

Whether it’s a long-standing family tradition or a new experience, Dixon’s Christmas Walk on Dec. 6 is a can’t-miss event.

Find warmth & cheer with entertainment

Have you shopped all day? It’s a sure bet that northwest Illinois will have you enjoying live music at Christmas concerts or laughing yourselves silly at “Scrooge the Comedy!

The audience gets to participate with the cast making it a very memorable event to say the least.

Starts Dec. 7.

The Clauses are coming!

All throughout Northwest Illinois and beyond, the holiday doesn’t begin for children until they have a little chat with the big guy and a hug from Mrs. Claus!

Mount Carroll’s Claus visit occurs during its Christmas Walk & Tour of Homes. Santa visits on Dec. 6, and the Tour of Homes is Dec. 6-7.

No events found.

#HIKING in #LeeCountyIL!👉 https://link.vnwil.com/Werd  This is just one of our 4 counties of hiking possibilities. Do you have any favorites?

#enjoyillinois
#middleofeverything
#VisitNWIllinois 
@enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois 
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@nachusa
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
It's never too late to go #hiking in #LeeCountyIL! https://link.vnwil.com/Werd

#enjoyillinois
#middleofeverything
#VisitNWIllinois 
@enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois 
@visitleecountyil Visit Lee County 
@nachusa
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
It's close--the season opening of the John Deere Historic Site in #GrandDetourIL! The perfect family-friendly outing from April 1 through Oct. 31. Live #blacksmith demos, archeological site, gift shop, beautiful grounds, and more. The best part...it's #FREE! 👉 https://link.vnwil.com/Wd5n

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It's the first day of #SPRING! Before long, the gray and brown tones will disappear, and the vibrant colors of spring will be everywhere, from forest floors, prairies, and backyard gardens!

#VisitNWillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything #illinoisspringtime Visit Carroll County IL @viistcarrollcountyil Visit Lee County @visitleecountyil Visit Rock Falls @visitrockfalls Explore Savanna @exploresavanna
ROAD TRIP! Take your pick of a raucous 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢 night, a hilarious 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗬 event, a 2-day 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪, & 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 to welcome in #Spring! Go to our EVENTS calendar 👉👉 https://swiy.co/OTAe to see what's happening.

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Travel silently through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and experience the beauty only the refuge can bring. From May to September, the Golf Cart Wildlife and Birding Tours take visitors on their own up-close adventure. 

The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreation. Your next adventure awaits in Thomson, IL.

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🕰️✨ Step back in time at the 𝟳𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 & 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄
! ✨🕰️

It's a treasure hunter's dream weekend on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟯, 2025, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon, IL! With 𝟰𝟬+ 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀, you’ll find stunning antiques, vintage collectibles, furniture, jewelry, textiles, and more! 🏺🪑💎

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹? Bring your small treasures on Sunday from 10 AM - 2 PM for expert evaluations by Hack’s Auction ($5 per item). 

📍 Blackhawk Center, Oregon, IL
🎟️ $8 admission covers the whole weekend!
⏳ Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM | Sunday: 10 AM - 3 PM

Tag your favorite vintage-loving friends and mark your calendars! 🛍️✨ 

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A little birdy 🤣 tells us that the American White Pelicans are making their way back to our region in #NWillinois! Have any of you seen them yet? 

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