As Christmas draws near, many people look outside of their own holiday traditions to start some new ones. Well, look no further than Rockford, Illinois! The town is the perfect place to explore during the holiday season, as it is jam-packed with community events, shows, and other festivities.
Here’s what you can expect to happen throughout the month of December in The Forest City:
Kick the season off with the locals at Rockford's annual Stroll on State.
Make friends with some of the 75,000 attendees as you shop, eat, and celebrate your way across the town. Whether you prefer ice skating, gift shopping, or eating as many s'mores as possible, this event will fill your evening with fun. And, don't miss the tree lighting ceremony followed by fireworks!
Join in on the throwback fun at the Victorian Holiday Celebration.
Immerse yourself in 1800s America at Christmastime, complete with sleigh rides, caroling, and more! This annual event at the Midway Village Museum will provide hours of fun and entertainment for visitors of any age.
Spend an evening taking in the beautiful sounds of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra's Holiday Pops concert is a crowd-pleaser, featuring both traditional and sacred songs of the season. Grab some tickets and if you're feeling particularly spirited, sing along with the Mendelssohn Chorale.
Explore gardens filled with twinkling lights at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
At the yearly All Aglow event, the conservatory's campus comes alive with dazzling Christmas lights. Wander through the glittering displays and enjoy live holiday music and crafts for the kids!
Discover the creative side of Christmas at the Holiday Hoopla.
Arts and crafts collide with math and science at the Discovery Center Museum's annual holiday celebration. Bring the kids for cookie decorating, paper snowflake making, and more festivities - it's sure to keep their little minds active during the winter break!
Have a holiday dinner by candlelight at the Anderson Japanese Gardens.
The serene gardens, beautiful even in the winter, are the perfect backdrop for a traditional Christmas dinner. Settle in, sample the delectable edibles, and enjoy performances by students from The Music Academy.
Roam through Downtown Rockford and enjoy the light displays along the river.
Watch Christmas lights dance to the music throughout the downtown area at the annual Rockford River Lights. Stunning both from afar and up close, the show will get you in the holiday spirit!
Experience Rockford's history at A Cottage Christmas.
The historic home of the Tinker family, now a museum, serves as an incredible keeper of the city's history. December is the best time to visit, as it is decked out in the family's original holiday decor.
Take your Christmas spirit into the night at the 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl.
Nothing brings beer drinkers together like the holidays! Allow the shuttle to drive you around Rockford, and hop off at each stop to test out some of the town's best watering holes. Santa hat optional.
If you haven’t visited Rockford, December is definitely the time when the city shines, so get going! If you have experienced Rockford around Christmastime, share your favorite activities with us in the comments.
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