Holiday Walk
Shop Downtown McHenry
All Week Long – Check out promotions and unique finds in our downtown shops!
Activities at Veteran’s Park
3400 Pearl Street
November 21
12:00-4:00pm Horse drawn sleigh rides around Veteran’s Memorial Park
12:00 – 4:00 pm Come visit Santa under the gazebo. Home Depot will hand out Kids Build-It Kits. Kids’ games and craft activities will be provided by McHenry Area Chamber members.
4:30 pm McHenry High School Vocal Warriors will lead everyone in carols.
5:00pm – Join us as we flip the switch to showcase the thousands of twinkling lights in the park and around the downtown streets.
Thanks to McHenry Parks and Recreation Department for all of their hard work hanging the lights and decorating the downtown area!
Living Windows & Cocoa Crawl
November 20 from 4:30-7:30pm
Sponsored by AteaCo Coffee and Tea
McHenry’s downtown stores come to life with magical scenes of the season in the store windows.
Purchase a mug for the Cocoa Crawl to receive samples of a variety of hot cocoa and holiday treats at participating businesses!
Festival of Trees
November 20 – December 27
Come see the trees specially decorated by local businesses and vote on a winner by dropping off a non-perishable food item or toiletries under your favorite! (All items will be donated to Veterans Path to Hope.)
Polar Express Pub Crawl
November 21 from 6:00-10:30pm
All Aboard! Buy a ticket for only $20. There will be fun drink specials, a chance to win one of our raffle items, and in true Polar Express theme – come dressed in your pajamas!
Letters to Santa
November 20-December 12
Sponsored by Northwest Herald
Drop your letters to Santa in our magical mailbox that brings them to the North Pole. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and Santa will write you back!
Located at Neumann Park (1246 N Green St, McHenry)
Holiday Market
November 14, 21, 28 and December 5
McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes (1202 N. Riverside Drive)
Join us for some holiday cheer & shopping at the McHenry Riverwalk District. Shop at our 10 tiny shops & market vendors in Miller Point Park, eat at a food truck & enjoy entertainment in the gazebo.
Free Sleigh Rides
November 21
Sponsored by Buss Ford Lincoln
From 12-4pm, take a ride around Veterans Park in our horse drawn sleigh!
Mission: Elf Project
November and December
The Mission: Elf Project invites kids and families to help spread kindness, joy, and connection throughout our community. Through simple acts of cheer, McHenry’s elves show that small moments can make the season brighter for everyone.
Toys for Tots Parade
November 22
Route: Kane Street to Green Street to Pearl Street to Riverside Drive to Broad Street
Enjoy the holiday themed floats and motorcycles as we kick off the Toys for Tots giving season. Participants are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy that will be collected at the park and along the route.
Free Trolley
November 20 and 21
Sponsored by City of McHenry
Ride a trolley around our downtown during our Cocoa Crawl from 4-8pm on Friday and from 3-6pm on Saturday.
