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 23
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 22 from 4:30-7:30pm
Sponsored by Castle Automotive Group and Biggby Coffee
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 22 – December 29
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 23 from 6:00-10:30pm
Sponsored by Castle Automotive Group and Mercyhealth
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!
Scavenger Hunt
November 22-December 13
Search the participating stores for the missing reindeer and then place the corresponding store sticker on the right reindeer when you find them. Turn in your completed card to McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce (1307 N. Green Street) to pick a prize from our treasure chest!
Letters to Santa
November 22-December 13
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 16, 23, 30 and December 7
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 Trolley
November 22 and 23
Sponsored by City of McHenry
Ride a trolley around our downtown during our Cocoa Crawl from 4-8pm on Friday and from 3-11pm on Saturday.
Free Sleigh Rides
November 23
Sponsored by Buss Ford Lincoln
From 12-4pm, take a ride around Veterans Park in our horse drawn sleigh!
Want to know what’s happening around town and what time? Download our event brochure!
Toys for Tots Parade
November 24
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.
