Rockin' in a Window Wonderland

It's beginning to look a lot like Downtown Elgin Window Wonderland - Presented by Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, taking place Saturday, December 3 from 12-5PM in the streets of Downtown Elgin.

Scheduled activities and locations (subject to change) include:

Real Live Reindeer - Santa's Crew Reindeer fly into Elgin's Civic Parking Lot (Highland and Douglas Avenues) from 12-4PM

Holiday Horse Drawn Carriage - Presented by Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick. Enjoy a festive, horse-drawn carriage ride up and down Douglas Avenue. The carriage will also drop off and pick up visitors at the Elgin Winter Market, 166 Symphony Way. Round trip rides are $5 per person (kids 5 and under FREE) and can be purchased at the Civic Parking Lot (Highland and Douglas) or at the Winter Market. The Horse Drawn Carriage will operate from 12-3PM

Live Nativity Scene with Nativity Animal Petting Zoo - First United Methodist Church, 215 E. Highland Avenue, will again be performing the live nativity in front of the church from 12-4PM. Kids can also enjoy petting and feeding all of the nativity animals. Nativity performances take place every half hour. In between performances, FUMC invites you inside to partake in their Holiday Open House with refreshments and tours of the church.

Kris Kringle Mart - Browse dozens of holiday crafts and unique gift ideas at our special Window Wonderland Kris Kringle Mart at 215 E. Chicago Street from 12-5PM. The Kris Kringle Mart will open Friday, December 2 and remain open until Sunday, December 4.

Ice Sculpting Demo - Artist Joe Gagnepain will demonstrate his ice sculpting skills by showing guests how to transform a block of ice into an intricate holiday work of art in DuPage Court.

Rockin' Santa - He's part Santa and part Elvis but he's all about rockin' your Window Wonderland! Join Rockin' Santa as he performs all your holiday favorites (and maybe a few you haven't heard before) at Villa Verone, 13 Douglas Avenue, from 12:30-2PM, and Ravenheart Coffee, 176 E. Chicago Street from 2:30-3:30PM! (Times subject to change)

Holiday Passport - Beginning at Noon, kids and families can pick up a free goody bag at the DNA Office, 2 Douglas Avenue, containing menus and coupons from downtown businesses as well as an exclusive Window Wonderland Adventure Kit containing: a map detailing the day's activities and passport stops, a People's Choice Award window decorating ballot and a secret message decoder. To decode the message and redeem your free Photo with Santa and gift at Elgin Public House, visit all of the passport stops and write down the codes on the posters at each stop to reveal your super secret message from Santa before turning it into our Elves at Elgin Public House.

Photos with Santa - Presented by Elgin Public House. After visiting all of the passport stops, turn in  your decoded message to Santa's helpers at EPH, 219 E. Chicago Street, and get your photos taken with the big guy himself from 2-4PM. You will receive a printed photo in a keepsake holiday card (while supplies last) and a secret Santa gift!

Window Decorating Contest/People's Choice Balloting - Be sure to check out all of the beautiful decorated windows and vote for your favorite in the People's Choice Window Decorating Award Voting. Ballots will be available to pick up at the DNA Office, 2 Douglas Avenue, beginning at Friday, December 2. You can also VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE WINDOW ONLINE throughout the weekend (the link will be active beginning Friday, December 2 at Noon).

The day culminates with the City of Elgin's Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5PM in front of City Hall at 150 Dexter Court. The Elgin Children's Chorus will perform followed by Council Members and City Staff helping to throw the switch to officially usher in the holiday season in Elgin.

Beginning Friday, December 2 you can pick up your Window Wonderland Adventure Kit at the DNA Office at 2 Douglas Avenue or at other downtown locations, or download at DowntownElgin.com.

Winners of the Window Decorating Contest will be announced the week after Window Wonderland. Three winners will be selected by our judging panel in the categories of Open, Business and Childrens. Each category winner receives a $50 Downtown Elgin Gift Certificate. The People's Choice Award winner will also receive a $50 Downtown Elgin Gift Certificate. One overall winner selected by our judging panel will win a $500 Cash Prize.

CLICK TO SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF PARTICIPATING DECORATED WINDOWS AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE!

Thank you to our valued sponsors Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, and Elgin Public House.

For more information about Downtown Elgin Window Wonderland, contact DNA Promotions Coordinator Jason Pawlowski at (847) 488-1456 or e-mail jpawlowski@elginil.org.