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Santa photos, a petting zoo, trolley rides and crafts fill the afternoon. Live music, holiday lights and fire pits continue through the event, leading to a 5:30 p.m. tree lighting and fireworks.
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
Holly Jolly Fest gives its children’s activities a defined afternoon window, then sets a tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks as the evening’s timed focal point. That layout helps visitors decide whether to come for the activities, the ceremony or both.
From 2 to 5 p.m., the Village lists photos with Santa, horse-drawn trolley rides, a petting zoo, face painting, holiday crafts and other children’s activities. The choices range from animal activities and rides to hands-on crafts, but the listing gives them a shared time window rather than separate start times.
Visitors planning around a particular activity should keep that three-hour window in mind; the published information does not set out a timed sequence for the individual offerings.
Further reading: Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗
Live music, holiday lights and s’mores fire pits are listed as features throughout the event. The official tree-lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by fireworks, making it the clearest fixed point for anyone arriving later.
Local food vendors will be on site, and hot cocoa, beer, wine and holiday spirits are available for purchase. Admission is free, but those food and drink purchases are separate.
Further reading: Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗
The published program gives the children’s activities a shared afternoon window and sets the tree lighting for 5:30 p.m. The other listed features run throughout the event.
The event runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Children’s activities are scheduled for 2–5 p.m.; the tree-lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by fireworks.
Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗ · Chicago's North Shore CVB - Welcome - Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting ↗
Admission is free. Local food vendors will be present, and hot cocoa, beer, wine and holiday spirits are available for purchase; prices are not listed.
Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗ · Chicago's North Shore CVB - Welcome - Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting ↗
The Village describes Holly Jolly Fest as free and open to everyone, with activities for all ages.
The Village event listing names Golf Mill Park at 9101 Greenwood Avenue, Niles. The North Shore event listing identifies the park at Church St. & Cumberland Ave., Niles, IL 60714. Because the listings use different location formats, check the map destination before setting out.
Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗ · Chicago's North Shore CVB - Welcome - Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting ↗
Free nearby parking for event attendees is listed in the JCPenney parking lot.
Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗ · Chicago's North Shore CVB - Welcome - Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting ↗
The event listings do not give an event-specific transit route, designated entrance or accessibility-facility details. Map links can calculate directions from your own starting point; if you need a particular access arrangement, confirm it with the Village before visiting.
Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting | Niles, IL - Official WebsiteArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow ↗ · Chicago's North Shore CVB - Welcome - Holly Jolly Fest & Tree Lighting ↗
Children’s activities are scheduled for 2–5 p.m. on November 28, 2026. The tree-lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by fireworks.
Yes. Admission is free, but food, hot cocoa, beer, wine and holiday spirits are available for purchase.
The Village lists free nearby event parking in the JCPenney parking lot.
9101 Greenwood Avenue, Niles
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-04 against the linked sources.