Illustration of a santa visit scene (Mundelein Winter Tree Lighting Festival)
Other Christmas Activities

Mundelein Winter Tree Lighting Festival

Visitors can experience live entertainment, ice carving displays, crafts, and character meet and greets, along with train rides for kids. The festival hosts a Kris Kringle market, food vendors, and visits with Santa at Santa's Cottage. The festivities conclude with a traditional tree lighting countdown followed by a fireworks display.

What to Expect

Features ice carving, train rides, Santa's Cottage, and fireworks.

Event Details

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

Downtown Mundelein

Timed Entry

No

Organizer

Mundelein Community Connection

Food & Drink

Food vendors will be on site.

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families with young children

Vibe

Festive and family-friendly

Energy Level

Moderate

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

High

Location

Courtland Commons
444 East Courtland Street, Mundelein
Mundelein, IL
60060

Know Before You Go

  • Hours: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Tips & Advice

  • Bring your camera or a charged phone, because Santa will be at the festival and you can visit him at Santa's Cottage.
  • Stay until the end for the countdown to the traditional Tree Lighting, which is followed by a fireworks display over Courtland Commons.
  • Dress warmly for a December evening outdoors, since the festival ends with the tree lighting and fireworks after dark.
  • Plan time for the kids to enjoy the train rides, crafts and character meet and greet as well as the ice carving displays.

Quick Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do at the festival?

There's live entertainment, train rides for kids, ice carving and displays, crafts and a character meet and greet. You can also visit Santa's Cottage and shop the Kris Kringle market.

Will Santa be there?

Yes. Santa will be at the festival and at Santa's Cottage, so bring your camera.

How does the festival end?

It ends with a countdown to the traditional Tree Lighting, followed by a fireworks display.

Is there food?

Yes. Food vendors set up alongside the Kris Kringle market.

Can I be a vendor or sponsor?

Yes. The Village of Mundelein has vendor information for the Kris Kringle Market and sponsorship options for the festival.

Tags

tree lightingSanta visitsfireworkscommunity celebrationfamily friendlyconcertschildrens activitiesseasonal activitiesholiday traditionfestive food

More Christmas Events Near Mundelein

More Christmas Events near Mundelein

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Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team