The Village of Barrington is pulling out all the bells and whistles for Santa’s return this Saturday, December 7th. There will be FIVE unique festivals hosted throughout the Village of Barrington during the day Saturday PLUS ChristKindlFest happening at the same time and they’re offering a free Holiday Trolley to help us get around town. We’ll have more on all of those festivals in just a minute. But first – let’s get straight to the day’s finale which will happen at 5 p.m. sharp as a big red firetruck pulls into town with a big red passenger.
You guessed it! Santa himself will be cruising into downtown Barrington escorted by Barrington firefighters to celebrate the lighting of the community’s Christmas tree right at 5 p.m.
(Santa’s arrival last year inspired us to write a poem, which you will find by CLICKING HERE.)
After Santa lights the tree at the corner of Cook and Main Streets, he’ll head straight on over to his Santa House right outside McGonigal’s Pub at 105 S. Cook Street in Barrington.
You’ll have time to see St. Nick AND visit with your neighbors right in the heart of downtown Barrington.
But there’s much to do all day on Saturday to celebrate Santa’s big arrival. The Village of Barrington has organized these FIVE UNIQUE FESTIVALS all over town including a Candy Cane Festival, Winter Wonderland, Holidazzle at Heinen’s, Gingerbread Lane and Barrington Aglow…
Candy Cane Festival
Foundry Shopping Center on Northwest Highway, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Begin your day with free reindeer antlers from Calico Corners, then on to the children’s petting zoo and photos with the Santa from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Write a letter to Santa at Little Shop of Papers and sample a gingerbread cookie and take in the gorgeous Gingerbread Houses at Ambrosia Euro-American Patisserie. Climb aboard and explore a Barrington fire truck, and visit participating retailers for special treats.
Winter Wonderland
Ice House Mall on Applebee Street, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visit Winter Wonderland at 10:30 a.m. for a special holiday dance presentation of The Nutcracker, then a magical story hour by Mrs. Claus at 11:30, followed by cookies & milk. Santa arrives on the Holiday Trolley at 12:30 to greet and visit with the children. At 2:00 p.m. the Barbara Rose School Choral Group, The Stingray Singers, will perform. Then at 2:30 p.m., Language Stars will present a German Story Hour. Special culinary gingerbread are on display, too, so plan to come!
Holidazzle Fest at Heinen’s
The Shops at Flint Creek on North Hough Street, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Step out of the cold and into the sights and smells of holiday cooking, entertaining and merrymaking at Heinen’s Fine Foods. Children are invited to show off their artistic talent and creativity as they decorate Christmas sugar cookies. Parents will have an opportunity to watch cooking demonstrations, pick up ideas for holiday entertaining, and taste an assortment of wine, beer and food pairings. Stop next door at Meatheads for samples of their Holiday Milkshakes and more surprises and fun.
Gingerbread Lane
The Shops on Lageschulte Street – 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lageschulte Street comes to life as Gingerbread Lane for a day, lined with giant gingerbread people and candy canes. Children will have a “snowy” experience at Norton’s U.S.A., and the Chicago Redhots Acapella Group will delight the crowd at 2:00 p.m. Santa arrives on the Holiday Trolley 3:45 p.m. on his way to the Annual Tree Lighting Celebration in the Village Center.
Barrington Aglow
Annual Tree Lighting – Village Center on 100 S. Cook Street, 1:00 – 6:30 p.m.
A holiday tradition not to be missed! The red Santa House will appear on S. Cook Street in anticipation of Santa’s arrival in the Village center on this magical day. Free carriage rides will be available downtown from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., with cookies and hot cocoa served while you wait.
There will be music in the air as you find the Barrington High School Madrigal Singers caroling on Cook Street.
And Santa will arrive on the Barrington Fire Engine at 5:00 p.m. to light the holiday tree! After his arrival, Santa will visit with children in the Santa House on South Cook Street. Remember to bring a camera to capture those memorable moments!
Once again, the Village is teaming up with the The United States Marine Corps. Reserve Toys for Tots Program by accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys on Saturday, December 7 between 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm next to Santa’s red house in the Village Center. Please plan to bring a toy to share with a deserving child. It will mean so much to them.
You’ll love having the option to park and ride to experience all of the holiday events Barrington has to offer that’s to Saturday’s complimentary Holiday Trolley Service with a schedule designed to make it easy to get around town.
Barrington’s Holiday Trolley
Saturday, December 7 – Park once and ride the Holiday Trolley to all events! Holiday Trolley rides will be available from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The trolley will make a continuous hourly circuit with stops every 12 minutes at the following locations: Village Center – 100 S Cook Street; The Ice House Mall on Applebee Street; Shops on Lageschulte Street; Foundry Shopping Center on Northwest Highway; The Shops at Flint Creek – 500 N. Hough Street.
Schedule:
10:30 a.m. – Village Center – Barrington Aglow at McGonigal’s Pub
10:42 a.m. – Ice House Mall – Winter Wonderland
10:54 a.m. – Lageschulte Street – Gingerbread Lane at Norton’s U.S.A.
11:06 a.m. – Foundry Shopping Center – Candy Cane Festival
11:18 a.m. – Shops at Flint Creek – Holidazzle Fest at Heinen’s Fine Foods
The Holiday Trolley will leave The Shops at Flint Creek at 11:18 a.m. and circle back to the Village Center and begin the route again at 11:30. Join the fun!!!
The Village of Barrington host this special day every year to introduce shoppers and visitors to the unique stores, restaurants and events that make Barrington a wonderful place for the holidays. It’s a fun Barrington tradition for all in the family and we hope to see you there!
