Upcoming Special Events
Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide
Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide
Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide
Through December
Downtown Glen Ellyn offers the perfect picturesque holiday shopping experience for the season. Our charming historic downtown is home to trendiest boutiques and locally owned shops each brimming with treasures for everyone on your holiday list. Find our favorite 2024 gift ideas in our Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide.
Glen Ellyn Holiday Lights Contest
Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide
Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide
Through December
Light Up Glen Ellyn! Who on your block is the Clark Griswold of Holiday Lights? This is the year to show off your home in all its holiday splendor! Think your holiday decorations are the best? Enter the competition and prove it! Your Glen Ellyn neighbors will vote for the winners in the following categories:
- Best Overall
- Most traditional
- Most whimsical
- The Clark Griswold Award
Registration link for House Decorators will be active Nov 30 through Dec. 15. Map and voting will be regulatory updated for all to see. More info to come.
Starry Night Decorated Windows
Downtown Glen Ellyn Holiday Shopping Guide
The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting
November 29 - December 25
Grab a cocoa and walk through Downtown Glen Ellyn this holiday Season for the pure magic of it all. Our storefront's window display theme this year is STARRY NIGHT. Witness the creativity, inspiration and imagination of the holidays. A beautifully decorated window can make even the coldest of days feel a bit warmer.
The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting
The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting
The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting
Friday, November 29
- 5pm Gathering at the Tree
- 6pm Lighting of the Tree
- 6:30-8:30pm Pictures with Santa at the Firehouse & Holiday Shopping!
Let’s kick off the holiday season with everyone’s favorite community tradition: the annual tree lighting! The Fire Company loves to support this tradition, bringing friends and neighbors together to enjoy the wonder of the season with lights and, of course—if we’ve been good—a Santa sighting. Hosted by the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company and Sponsored by The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce.
Downtown Santa House
The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting
Downtown Santa House
Saturdays & Sundays
November 30 - Dec 22
11am - 2pm
(times may vary)
Ho Ho Ho, Santa Claus is coming to town! Don’t miss your chance to snap a photo with Santa and share your Christmas wishes. Visit with Santa at his NEW Glen Ellyn weekend House off Main St. Don't miss out on this new tradition while you shop & dine in Downtown Glen Ellyn.
Bring a pantry item for the Glen House Food Pantry and a toy for the Glen Ellyn Junior Women's Toy drive.
Santa Mailbox
The Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting
Downtown Santa House
November 27 - December 15
Glen Ellyn's very own Santa mailbox will return on the northeast corner of Main Street and Crescent Boulevard. Letters “mailed” by Sunday, December 15 will receive a response from Santa, along with a signed photo, thanks to a special arrangement the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce. Please make sure letters include a legible return address so that Santa can reply. The mailbox will return to the North Pole on Monday, December 16 until next Christmas!
Saturday Morning Holiday Movies
Saturday Morning Holiday Movies
Saturday Morning Holiday Movies
Saturdays 10:30am
Nov 23- Dec 21
The Glen Ellyn Chamber presents a FREE Saturday morning holiday movie series at the historic Glen Art Movie Theatre located at 540 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn. Doors open at 10am, come early to grab your seat and concessions. After the movie enjoy lunch and shopping in Downtown Glen Ellyn!
Holly Jolly Trolley
Saturday Morning Holiday Movies
Saturday Morning Holiday Movies
Thursdays December 5 & 12
What’s the best way to get into the holiday spirit? Hop aboard our classic Victorian trolley for a 30-min narrated tour of our festive Downtown and see the best decked-out homes in a warm trolley. This ride will include a little Glen Ellyn History, local holiday lights with a few jokes in between. Check in is at 515 Crescent @The North Pole, where all are welcome to warm up with hot cocoa, get your picture with Santa and much more!
Thank you to our Trolley Sponsor @properties Christie's International Real Estate
Shopping under the Stars
Saturday Morning Holiday Movies
Ugly Sweater Dine Around Town
Thursdays December 5, 12, 19
Shop Under the Stars with friends & family to finish off your gift giving list! Come and join us as we host late night shopping, a storefront luminary walk, carolers singing your holiday favorites, hot cocoa, trolley rides and complete the evening with special holiday menus and cocktails from our holiday dining guide with friends & family.
Ugly Sweater Dine Around Town
Ugly Sweater Dine Around Town
Ugly Sweater Dine Around Town
Tuesday, December 10
Jingle, mingle, and enjoy discounted nibbles and nog at participating restaurants while sporting your best festive attire.
Choose your first stop to check in, grab your light up necklace and program. Then the night is free to roam to all the restaurants and see friends and family along the way.
Past Events
Ladies Night Out
Ladies Night Out
Ladies Night Out
Thursdays November 7 & 14
Join us for the highly anticipated Ladies Night Out in Downtown Glen Ellyn! Grab your friends and spend the evening strolling through the cutest shops and boutiques finding the best gifts on your holiday list. Don't miss the many discounts and specials while enjoying wine and treats along the way!
Witches Walk
Ladies Night Out
Ladies Night Out
Sept 19-21
Thursday, October 10
Experience the enchantment of Downtown Glen Ellyn where magic meets retail therapy under the moonlit sky. Join us for a bewitching evening filled with spellbinding fashion, captivating home decor and enchanting accessories. Your evening will include raffles, witches brew and spell-casting activities.
Glen Ellyn Oktoberfest
Walking Murder Mystery Event
Walking Murder Mystery Event
Sept 19-21
Grab your Lederhosen and join us for the Glen Ellyn Oktoberfest with Live Music, Activities, and a mouthwatering array of German-themed food and beer at Two Hound Red Brewing Co.
Walking Murder Mystery Event
Walking Murder Mystery Event
Walking Murder Mystery Event
Thursday, September 26
Join us for a ghostly affair and a night where you're the detective in this interactive murder mystery. Explore Glen Ellyn shops, each hiding potential clues. Interview suspects, gather evidence, and unravel the truth before the killer strikes again!
Friday Summer Concert Series on Main Street
Friday Summer Concert Series on Main Street
Friday Summer Concert Series on Main Street
Friday, September 6:
Semple & Johnny Alletto
This is the perfect summertime event to meet your neighbors, enjoy food and beverage from the local restaurants and rock the night away on Main Street.
55th Annual Festival of the Arts
Friday Summer Concert Series on Main Street
Friday Summer Concert Series on Main Street
August 24 & 25
Returning to picturesque Lake Ellyn, this Fine Art show will be fun for the whole family. Enjoy the fine art of many mediums, live music, children’s entertainment, food & drink.
Calling All Artist! We would love to see you at the Lake. Register HERE.
Cicadas on Parade
Friday Summer Concert Series
Friday Summer Concert Series
Memorial Day Weekend - August
Silent Auction is Live through August 24
Embrace the summer of the cicadas and visit Downtown Glen Ellyn to see 25 hand painted cicada art sculptures. These cicadas are painted via local artist and storefront owners which will be placed in flowerpots, trees and windows throughout the downtown.
Friday Summer Concert Series
Friday Summer Concert Series
Friday Summer Concert Series
Friday, August 2: The Chain
(a Fleetwood Mac Band) & That Petty Band
This is the perfect summertime event to meet your neighbors, enjoy food and beverage from the local restaurants and rock the night away on Main Street.
Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt
Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt
Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt
June thru July
In partnership with the Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, and the Glen Ellyn Public Library, participate in the Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt. For the entire months of June and July, challenge yourself to find all the clues downtown to complete your scavenger hunt card for a prize and join us for the wrap-up party hosted by the library!
Summer Sidewalk Sales
Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt
Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt
July 19 - 21
Everyone is always excited for the long awaited 3-day Summer Sidewalk Sales on July 19-21. Find bargains and treasures for this annual highly anticipated event! Main street is closed only Friday-Saturday.
Jazz Up Music Festival
Where’s Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt
Jazz Up Music Festival
Saturday, July 13
Coming back stronger than ever on Saturday, July 13 is Downtown Glen Ellyn’s Jazz Up Festival. This is the premiere jazz festival of DuPage County bringing an afternoon line-up of the best jazz in the Midwest by collaborating with local partners such as Fareed Haque, Bellas Artes School of Music and 90.9fm WDCB Home of Chicago Jazz.
Walking Murder Mystery Caper
Walking Murder Mystery Caper
Walking Murder Mystery Caper
Thursday, June 20
An event that will be sure to sell out is the Walking Downtown Murder Mystery Caper.
Guests will meet where the scene will be set. Groups will be divided and escorted by an actor into 6 different storefronts finding clues before all meet up for the big reveal finding the answer to the question “Who’s done it?”.
Wines & Finds
Walking Murder Mystery Caper
Walking Murder Mystery Caper
Saturday, June 15
Nothing will be nicer than a beautiful afternoon at Wines & Finds on June 15, sipping on fine wine and cheese, strolling through unique shops, and award-winning home décor & designers to find your one-of-a-kind treasures and inspiration for the home.
Craft Beer Crawl
Craft Beer Crawl
Craft Beer Crawl
Friday, June 7
5:00pm Start setting up chairs.
6:00 - 9:45 Live Music
Serendipity
& Altered Suburbia
Craft Beer Crawl
Craft Beer Crawl
Craft Beer Crawl
Saturday, May 4
We are excited to announce the First Annual Glen Ellyn Craft Beer Crawl!
Taste the best that craft beer has to offer while exploring Downtown Glen Ellyn along the way.
Ladies Night Out - Spring Edition
Diversity Art Walk Treasure Hunt Card
Diversity Art Walk Treasure Hunt Card
Thursday, April 11
Grab the squad and join us for this year's Ladies Night Out - Spring Edition!
Sip, Shop, and Stroll your way through the quaint streets of Downtown Glen Ellyn for fun and so many great deals. Storefronts offer incredible sales, sips, and bites while you stroll along over 15 storefronts.
We will have dining promotions prior and afterparty locations to extend the fun!
Diversity Art Walk Treasure Hunt Card
Diversity Art Walk Treasure Hunt Card
Diversity Art Walk Treasure Hunt Card
Month Of April
One Community has partnered with Glenbard West High School to create and showcase in our Village, student artwork that reflects the diverse identities and experiences of our high school students.
March Madness Restaurant Brackets
Diversity Art Walk Treasure Hunt Card
March Madness Restaurant Brackets
March 19 - April 7
It's that time of year to follow your team in our March Madness Restaurant Brackets.
Downtown Restaurants and beverage houses will be paired up with college teams after the first round and we will highlight their signature drink through the final four.
Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week
The Great Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale
Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week
Friday, Feb 23 - Sunday, March 3
Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week! Enjoy a prix fixe meals & Chef Specials. Explore a new Restaurant this year!
Wonka Walk
The Great Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale
Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week
February, Saturday 10 - Sunday 11
Come with me, and you'll see, a world of pure imagination...Join us for a fun-filled Valentine’s weekend with so many fun things to see & do!
The Great Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale
The Great Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale
The Great Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale
January, Saturday 13 - Sunday 21
Let’s kick off 2024 with saving up to 75% off in Downtown Glen Ellyn! Save money and support the local Glen Ellyn! Treasure awaits!
