WOODSTOCK TO ILLUMINATE HISTORIC SQUARE WITH ANNUAL LIGHTING CEREMONY
November 17, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODSTOCK TO ILLUMINATE HISTORIC SQUARE WITH ANNUAL LIGHTING CEREMONY
November 17, 2025, Woodstock, Ill. – The City of Woodstock invites residents and visitors to gather in its historic downtown on Friday, November 28, for the annual Lighting of the Square, a cherished community tradition that officially kicks off the holiday season.
Named one of The TODAY Show’s “Merriest Main Streets in America,” Woodstock captures the spirit and nostalgia of the holidays as tens of thousands of twinkling white lights transform the Square into a winter wonderland.
From 4 to 8 p.m., guests can enjoy festive activities, live music, and family fun leading up to the highly anticipated lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Local shops and restaurants will be open, welcoming visitors with holiday shopping, treats, and dining options. The Woodstock Recreation Department will host a Grinch N’ Greet at Ethereal, where visitors can meet the Grinch himself and pose for photos. Throughout the evening, guests can explore the Annual Tree Walk at the Woodstock Opera House, the Gingerbread Walk at the Old Courthouse Center, and holiday crafts and story time with the Woodstock Public Library.
Families can also support local causes with the Woodstock Police Department’s Stuff the Squad toy drive, and warm up with treats from the Woodstock Heating & Cooling Donut Station at the Spring House.
Musical entertainment will fill the air with performances by the Brass Choir and Dickens Carollers, followed by a special appearance from the Woodstock Community Choir before the lights are turned on. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 5 p.m., greeting children near the Santa Hut on Benton Street, presented by the Rotary Club of Woodstock.
Lighting of the Square – Tentative Schedule of Events (Schedule Subject to Change)
4:00–7:00 p.m. – Grinch N’ Greet with Woodstock Recreation Department – Ethereal’s Courthouse Square on the upper level of the Old Courthouse Center
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Annual Tree Walk – Woodstock Opera House
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Gingerbread Walk – Old Courthouse Center
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Library Storytime and Crafts
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Stuff the Squad Toy Drive – Woodstock Police Department
4:30–8:00 p.m. – Food Trucks – East and West Jackson Streets
5:00 p.m. – Santa’s Arrival on Firetruck
5:00–6:30 p.m. – Brass Choir Performance – Bandstand
5:00–6:30 p.m. – Dickens Carollers – Around the Square
5:30–7:00 p.m. – Woodstock Heating & Cooling Donuts – Spring House
6:35–6:55 p.m. – Woodstock Community Choir Performance – Bandstand
7:00–7:10 p.m. – Lighting Ceremony – Bandstand
The weekend’s festivities continue with the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Woodstock Christmas Parade on Sunday, November 30, at 2 p.m. Following the parade, families are invited to Cookies & Churros with Santa, where children can share their holiday wishes and enjoy sweet treats at Trademark Events Center.
The City extends its gratitude to the sponsors who make this treasured community celebration possible. Starlight Sponsors include ComEd, an Exelon Company; Kunes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Woodstock; and Trotter & Associates, Inc. Snowman Sponsors are Home State Bank, Sofie’s Whiskey & Wine, Squire on the Square, Terrabis Dispensary Woodstock, and Woodstock Chevrolet. Snowball Sponsors include BMO, ComEd, Northwest Herald, Woodstock Country Club, and Woodstock Heating & Cooling.
For more information, please visit the City of Woodstock at www.woodstockil.gov/lighting.
WOODSTOCK TO ILLUMINATE HISTORIC SQUARE WITH ANNUAL LIGHTING CEREMONY
November 17, 2025, Woodstock, Ill. – The City of Woodstock invites residents and visitors to gather in its historic downtown on Friday, November 28, for the annual Lighting of the Square, a cherished community tradition that officially kicks off the holiday season.
Named one of The TODAY Show’s “Merriest Main Streets in America,” Woodstock captures the spirit and nostalgia of the holidays as tens of thousands of twinkling white lights transform the Square into a winter wonderland.
From 4 to 8 p.m., guests can enjoy festive activities, live music, and family fun leading up to the highly anticipated lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Local shops and restaurants will be open, welcoming visitors with holiday shopping, treats, and dining options. The Woodstock Recreation Department will host a Grinch N’ Greet at Ethereal, where visitors can meet the Grinch himself and pose for photos. Throughout the evening, guests can explore the Annual Tree Walk at the Woodstock Opera House, the Gingerbread Walk at the Old Courthouse Center, and holiday crafts and story time with the Woodstock Public Library.
Families can also support local causes with the Woodstock Police Department’s Stuff the Squad toy drive, and warm up with treats from the Woodstock Heating & Cooling Donut Station at the Spring House.
Musical entertainment will fill the air with performances by the Brass Choir and Dickens Carollers, followed by a special appearance from the Woodstock Community Choir before the lights are turned on. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 5 p.m., greeting children near the Santa Hut on Benton Street, presented by the Rotary Club of Woodstock.
Lighting of the Square – Tentative Schedule of Events (Schedule Subject to Change)
4:00–7:00 p.m. – Grinch N’ Greet with Woodstock Recreation Department – Ethereal’s Courthouse Square on the upper level of the Old Courthouse Center
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Annual Tree Walk – Woodstock Opera House
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Gingerbread Walk – Old Courthouse Center
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Library Storytime and Crafts
4:00–8:00 p.m. – Stuff the Squad Toy Drive – Woodstock Police Department
4:30–8:00 p.m. – Food Trucks – East and West Jackson Streets
5:00 p.m. – Santa’s Arrival on Firetruck
5:00–6:30 p.m. – Brass Choir Performance – Bandstand
5:00–6:30 p.m. – Dickens Carollers – Around the Square
5:30–7:00 p.m. – Woodstock Heating & Cooling Donuts – Spring House
6:35–6:55 p.m. – Woodstock Community Choir Performance – Bandstand
7:00–7:10 p.m. – Lighting Ceremony – Bandstand
The weekend’s festivities continue with the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Woodstock Christmas Parade on Sunday, November 30, at 2 p.m. Following the parade, families are invited to Cookies & Churros with Santa, where children can share their holiday wishes and enjoy sweet treats at Trademark Events Center.
The City extends its gratitude to the sponsors who make this treasured community celebration possible. Starlight Sponsors include ComEd, an Exelon Company; Kunes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Woodstock; and Trotter & Associates, Inc. Snowman Sponsors are Home State Bank, Sofie’s Whiskey & Wine, Squire on the Square, Terrabis Dispensary Woodstock, and Woodstock Chevrolet. Snowball Sponsors include BMO, ComEd, Northwest Herald, Woodstock Country Club, and Woodstock Heating & Cooling.
For more information, please visit the City of Woodstock at www.woodstockil.gov/lighting.
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Contact:
Heather Arnold, Real Woodstock Marketing Manager
harnold@woodstockil.gov, (815) 338-4300
