Ironically, I never experienced public Christmas tree lightings growing up. I don’t even recall whether the lighting of our own family Christmas tree was a particularly momentous occasion. So maybe it’s a deeply implanted image of the Whos of Whoville encircling a giant Christmas tree that I now envision when I think of lighting the Christmas tree. No matter, there is certainly something magical about that moment when a dark silhouette before us suddenly comes to life in a way unlike any other. A moment when we all come together as one.
It’s certainly a magical part of this time of year for so many. It’s also a hectic time of year for many of us. Hopefully, our guide to Christmas tree lighting events for McHenry County will help with that.
Wherever you are within McHenry County, I’m sure there is a tree lighting near you. Below, you’ll find our list arranged by city to help you with your plans.
As always, we recommend checking the respective websites for any changes. While some of these holiday tree lightings may be standalone events, others may be combined with holiday parades 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.
Your Help Is Appreciated
There is an endless array of events during this holiday season. Sadly, finding information about them is not as easy as one might hope…that’s one of the reasons we’ve tried to pull it all together here!
If you are in charge of or connected with a lighting of the tree event that you feel should be on here, the best thing you can do is to just add it to our free community calendar so that we can add it here as well.
Or, if you know about an event that should be on here, please contact us and with the details (links to websites would be great) so we can get it added.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2021 Events
Come out and experience the lighting of the tree at one…or more of the locations below!
Algonquin
Miracle On Main
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: 2 S. Main St, Algonquin, IL 60102
Crystal Lake
Festival of Lights Parade
Date: Friday, November 26th
Start Time: 7:00pm
Location: E Crystal Lake Ave & N Williams St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Fox Lake
Fox Lake Festival of ights
Date: Saturday, November 27th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Fox River Grove
Tree Lighting 2.0
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: 975 Algonquin Rd, Fox River Grove, IL 60021
Harvard
Harvard Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: N Ayer St & N Division St, Harvard, IL 60033
Huntley
A Very Merry Huntley
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: 11700 Main St, Huntley, IL 60142
Island Lake
Annual Tree Lighting
Date: Friday, December 3rd
Start Time: 6:00pm
Location: 3720 Greenleaf Ave, Island Lake, IL 60042
Johnsburg
Holiday Magic Parade & Tree Lighting
Date: Saturday, December 11th
Start Time: 5:30pm
Location: 2315 W Church St, Johnsburg, IL 60051
Marengo
Tree Lighting Celebration
Date: Saturday, December 4th
Start Time: 6:00pm
Location: 132 E Prairie St, Marengo, IL 60152
McHenry
Tree Lighting at Veteran’s Park
Date: Saturday, November 20th
Start Time: 5:00pm
Location: 3400 Pearl Street, McHenry, IL 60050
Woodstock
Lighting of the Square
Date: Friday, November 26th
Start Time: 7:00pm
Location: 121 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
As always, all events are subject to change. Please be sure to check the event pages for the specific event for current information.