Tradition and surprise. It would not be Christmas without them, and Geneva’s Christmas Walk and Holiday House Tour offer both. The events are organized by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.
Christmas Walk
The Christmas Walk kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 with Bob’s Candy Cane Parade and Graham’s Chocolates' first candy cane of the season being presented with great fanfare followed by the arrival of Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, who will offer Swedish cookies to merry-makers.
The Christmas Tree is lit and the Kane County Courthouse lawn becomes aglow with holiday lights. The young and young at heart will wait with anticipation as Santa Claus arrives. Santa will open his home for visits from excited children while All Chocolate Kitchen recreates their record-breaking candy cane and the Grinch makes a stop in Geneva.
Reservations to visit Santa at his home at 10 S. Third St. are open on the Chamber's website. The cost is $10 per time slot.
Serenaded by carolers, families stroll Geneva’s historic marketplace, nibbling on fresh-roasted chestnuts, and dodging into brightly lit shops and restaurants along the way.
Holiday House Tour
Those who are not downtown might be touring holiday-decked homes. The Holiday House Tour (10 a.m. to 8 pm Dec. 1 & 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2) is another Geneva holiday tradition, and thanks to the diversity of homes and the creativity of local designers, it is filled with unexpected treats.
Tickets include a holiday tea and a special treat from Scentcerely Yours (while supplies last) and are available for $38 per person. Proceeds are used to decorate Geneva for the holiday season. Purchase at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 South Third St.; online at the Chamber's website; or at select retail locations. Tickets also can be pre-ordered over the phone by calling the Geneva Chamber at 630-232-6060. Tickets will not be for sale at the homes.
Participating retail locations will accept cash or checks made payable to the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. Please note, the event may sell out.
Source: Geneva Chamber of Commerce News Release