The Northwest Illinois Calendar
What’s Happening
Festivals, concerts, markets and main-street traditions across all four counties.
SterlingHolidayDillon Home Christmas ToursDec 2 – Dec 30Dillon Home Museum · SterlingChristmas tours of Sterling's Dillon Home Museum on select December days, including evening self-guided hours Dec. 11 and 12.
DixonArts & TheaterSmall But Mighty Art ExhibitionDec 2 – Dec 3The next Picture Show · DixonSmall But Mighty at The Next Picture Show in Dixon celebrates small-scale artwork with big presence, featuring two- and three-dimensional pieces from November 18 through December 23.
SterlingArts & TheaterDress in Green: The Grinch at the Sterling Theater6:00 PMSterling Theater · SterlingDowntown Sterling's movie house shows the 2018 animated Grinch for one night, and everyone's invited to come dressed in green.
- DixonArts & TheaterSmall But Mighty Art ExhibitionDec 4 – Dec 5The next Picture Show · DixonSmall But Mighty at The Next Picture Show in Dixon celebrates small-scale artwork with big presence, featuring two- and three-dimensional pieces from November 18 through December 23.
Mount CarrollHolidayFeaturedMount Carroll Christmas Walk & House Tour Weekend4:00 PM – 7:00 PMCarroll County Courthouse Square · Mount CarrollA holiday weekend in Mount Carroll’s historic downtown: Santa at the district library, a community tree lighting on the courthouse square, a tour of decorated homes and an indoor holiday market.- SterlingHolidaySights & Sounds Holiday Kickoff and Tree Lighting5:00 PM – 8:00 PMLibrary Plaza · SterlingDowntown Sterling launches the holidays on the first Friday of December with Santa’s arrival, the Library Plaza tree lighting at 5:30, horse-and-carriage rides, live entertainment and late-night shopping.
FultonHolidayFulton Christmas Walk5:00 PM – 7:00 PMDowntown Fulton · FultonAn evening holiday stroll through downtown Fulton, organized by the town's Christmas Walk Committee.
DixonHolidayDixon Christmas Walk5:00 PM – 8:00 PMDowntown Dixon · DixonExperience the magic of Dixon's Annual Christmas Walk on Friday, December 4, from 5–8 p.m.! Enjoy the Christmas tree lighting, visits with Santa, festive music, street performers, and holiday shopping in charming downtown Dixon. Bring the family and celebrate this beloved small-town holiday tradition!
OregonArts & TheaterGlass Workshop: Christmas Ornament10:00 AM – 12:00 PMColiseum Museum of Art, Antiques & Americana · OregonMake your own fused-glass Christmas ornament in a two-hour hands-on class with instructor Valerie Butcher at the Coliseum Museum in Oregon.- FultonHolidayChristmas in the Canyon12:00 PM – 6:00 PMWierenga’s Heritage Canyon · FultonFulton’s recreated 1800s settlement in the canyon fills with costumed reenactors, carols in the log church, a working blacksmith, lantern light along the paths, and Santa in the ironworks shop.
DixonLive MusicDixon Municipal Band Winter Concert7:00 PMThe Dixon: Historic Theatre · DixonDixon's community concert band plays its annual winter concert of seasonal music at the historic Dixon Theatre.
For organizers
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