Another Thanksgiving is nearly in the books (or maybe by the time you read this). Hopefully, a wonderful time of gathering and reflection on the past year. Before you retreat fully to the warmth of the inside, check our list for Christmas parades across McHenry County. Next to lighting the Christmas tree, Christmas parades provide a great way for the community to come together to officially celebrate and kick off the holiday season and begin the transition from autumn to winter.
Our gift to you is the following list of the various Christmas parades for our area. We’ve broken them out by city and provided a map detailing some point along the parade route…or hopefully, at least in the general vicinity.
It’s challenging to show the parade routes, so you’ll definitely want to check the respective websites for specific route and timing details, as well as any last-minute changes.
While some of these Christmas parades may be standalone events, others may be combined with holiday Christmas tree lightings, visits with Santa, or other events, so be sure to factor that into your timing as well as your preparations…especially in dressing for the weather and extended time outdoors this time of year.
Missed One?
While we’ve scoured the local city pages and social media accounts, we may have missed some.
If you are in charge of or connected with a holiday parade that you feel should be on here, the best thing you can do is to just add it to our free community calendar and then we’ll add it here as well.
Or, if you know about a Christmas parade that should be on here, please contact us and with the details (links to websites would be great) so we can get it added.

McHenry County Christmas Parades
Kick off the 2021 holiday season with a Christmas parade near you! Check the details below before you make all of your plans.
Cary
Merry Cary Parade & Festival 2021
Date: Sunday, December 5th
Start Time: 1:00
Location: 108 W. Main Street, Cary, IL 60013
Crystal Lake
Festival of Lights Parade
Date: Friday, November 26th
Start Time: 7:00pm
Location: N Williams St & Brink St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Harvard
Christmas in Harvard Parade
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: N Ayer St & E Sumner St, Harvard, IL 60033
Fox Lake
Fox Lake Festival of ights
Date: Saturday, November 27th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Johnsburg
Holiday Magic Parade & Tree Lighting
Date: Saturday, December 11th
Start Time: 5:30pm
Location: W Church St & St Johns Ave, Johnsburg, IL 60051
Marengo
2021 Marengo Christkindlmarket & Tree Lighting Celebration
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 6:00pm
Location: 132 E Prairie St, Marengo, IL 60152
Port Barrington
Annual Village Santa Parade & Party
Date: Sunday, December 19th
Start Time: 12:30pm
Location: 69 S Circle Ave, Port Barrington, IL 60010
Woodstock
Annual Woodstock Christmas Parade
Date: Sunday, November 28th
Start Time: 2:00pm
Location: W Jackson St & S Johnson St, Woodstock, IL
As always, all events are subject to change. Please be sure to check the event pages for the specific event for current information.