Holiday displays, tree lighting among 17 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area
ROCKFORD — The first weekend in December is filled with festive events and activities for the entire family.
There’s the Festival of Lights, The Nutcracker, Grinch trivia and more.
Illuminated: A Lighted Garden Experience
What: The Illuminated wintertime lights experience features dramatic up-lighting and thousands of white string lights woven throughout the landscape and canopy of the garden.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 through December 11; 5 to 8 p.m. daily Dec. 15 through Dec. 30. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: $11 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for students and military, free for Premium Gardens members and children five and under.
For more: https://andersongardens.org/
Festival of Lights
What: Drive through Sinnissippi Park and enjoy dozens of holiday light displays. Festival of Lights has been a Stateline family tradition since 1989.
When: 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Where: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission. Donations are appreciated.
For more: http://www.4thandlights.com/
All Aglow Holiday Display
What: Celebrate the holidays at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. Come see sparkling holiday lights in the outdoor gardens.
When: Lights will be on from dusk until dawn everyday through Jan. 8.
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission. Donations will be accepted.
For more: https://nicholasconservatory.com/all-aglow
Rockton Christmas Walk
What: Area businesses offer unique and exclusive events, shopping experiences, and holiday festivities.
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Downtown Rockton
Grinch Trivia
What: A fun night playing Grinch trivia. There will be door prizes, snacks, beverages, painting and photos with The Grinch.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Pottery Lounge, 6059 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $10 per ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are non-refundable.
For more: https://thepotterylounge.com/
South Beloit Tree Lighting
What: Celebrate the holiday season with the second annual city of South Beloit tree lighting. The evening will feature a luminary path, carols sung by a choir, s’mores and hot chocolate.
When: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://natureattheconfluence.com/event/south-beloit-tree-lighting/
St. Lucia Concert
What: This annual event brings the holiday spirit with traditional Swedish songs and a candlelight processional.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: First Lutheran Church, 225 S. 3rd St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission. A goodwill donation will be taken.
For more: https://www.firstlutheranrockford.com/
Winter on the Farm: Holiday Wagon Rides
What: Enjoy a 20-minute ride through a winter wonderland, nestled in the woods of Lockwood Park.
When: Rides will be offered each half hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday; also from 5 to 7 p.m. December 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 23.
Where: Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre & Children’s Farm, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford
Cost: $7 per ticket. Children 2 and under ride for free.
For more: https://lockwoodpark.com/
Red Noses presented by The West Side Show Room
What: While the The Plague fills medieval Europe with fear, Father Flote leads a traveling band of comics who offer redemption through laughter. Using Monty Python-style humor, Red Noses follows this troupe of God’s Zanies as they seek laughter and love during the darkest of times.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
For ticket prices and more: https://wssr.org/
Tour de Frost
What: The 13th annual charity bike ride will benefit the Fish-Abled Foundation, which provides outdoor recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: The 20-mile ride will start at Trek Bicycle Rockford, 4169 Perryville Road, Loves Park
Cost: $40 day of event. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m.
For more: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/store/419184/
The Nutcracker
What: The Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Rockford Dance Company come together to produce the premiere holiday family event, "The Nutcracker."
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets start at $22.
For more: https://coronadopac.org/
Bethlehem Marketplace: Experience the Story
What: Beth Eden United Methodist Church will hold its 42nd live reenactment of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth. There will be a variety of village actors, portraying people selling wares, live animals, and a live nativity.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Beth Eden United Methodist Church, 3201 Huffman Blvd., Rockford
Cost: Free admission. Donations of non-perishable food items would be appreciated.
For more: https://bethedenumcrockford.org/
Julmarknad
What: Christmas market featuring Swedish woodworking, textile and embroidery items, Scandinavian clothing and gifts and much more. Swedish bakery and handmade crafts will also be available for purchase.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
For more: https://www.oslcrockford.com/
Biology Trivia
What: Think you know your biology? Prove it! Grab your smartest friends and join our staff quizmasters to battle other teams in a test of your knowledge of animals, plants, dinosaurs, and more.
When: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $2 for members, $5 for non-members
For more: https://burpee.org/
Ghosts of Christmas Past
What: Come celebrate the holidays Haunted Rockford style at Tinker Swiss Cottage.
When: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, 411 Kent St., Rockford
Cost: $25 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
For more: http://www.tinkercottage.com/
Second City Chorus: Concerts on the Creek
What: Rockford’s award-winning a cappella harmony group, Second City Chorus, will perform a variety of holiday favorites.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: Free admission. A $10 donation is suggested.
For more: https://www.springcreekucc.org/
Flights & Bites with Santa
What: Get into the holiday spirit with the family while participating in various activities for kids of all ages. Santa Claus and his trusty pilot will take four children for an airplane ride around Poplar Grove Airport, weather permitting.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Vintage Wings & Wheels Museum, 5151 Orth Road, Poplar Grove
Cost: $5 per person. Children 2 and under are admitted free of charge.
For more: https://www.wingsandwheelsmuseum.org/
Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Festival of Lights among 17 things to do this weekend in Rockford area
