With its Holly Days promotion, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is doing what it can to make sure city sidewalks are busy sidewalks throughout the holiday season.

“Feedback has shown that the holiday campaign has continued to grow and build interest over the years,” said DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala

This year, more than 40 businesses will be open on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, with 25 serving drinks for the Holiday Cheers Beverage crawl, Fukala said.

Along with seasonal fun, the Holly Days events are a way to draw people downtown to shop, eat, and drink.

“The impact of shopping local cannot be overstated,” Fukala said. “Increased sales during the holidays are pivotal for businesses to help balance out the slow times elsewhere in the calendar.”

As such, here’s a chronological list of downtown Holly Days events.

Saturday, Nov. 29

In conjunction with Small Business Saturday, a sleighful of activities will be taking place.

People can take photos with Santa from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at his house and workshop along DuPage Court.

More than 50 small businesses will set up shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Holidays at The Highland Loft, 168 E. Highland Avenue.

More than 20 vendors will be selling their wares from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.at the Merry & Made Holiday Pop-Up Market in the Highland Lofts, 164 E. Highland Avenue.

This is the cup patrons get when participating in the Nov. 29 holiday beverage crawl. (Courtesy of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin)

Those who have purchased their special Holiday Cheers insulated cups can visit more than 20 participating merchants from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to partake in a beverage crawl.

From 12 to 5 p.m., a free-to-ride trolley will take shoppers around the downtown.

Santa’s Workshop with craft projects for kids will be up and running from 1 to 3 p.m. on DuPage Court.

The Weave, another pop-up market, is set to take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court.

There will be free photo ops with the Grinch from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce office, 31 S. Grove. Avenue.

There will be a holiday storytime session from 3 to 4 p.m. along DuPage Court.

Carolers will be singing from 3 to 5 p.m. along DuPage Court.

At 5 p.m., Mayor Dave Kaptain will oversee the city’s holiday tree lighting along DuPage Court.

Friday, Dec. 5

The Krampusnacht Bazaar will be selling macabre seasonal gifts from 6 to 10 p.m. at Elgin ArtSpace, 210 DuPage Street.  For more information on Krampus events, email johnlafleur13@gmail.com.

Saturday, Dec. 6

M3 Dance will present “The Nutcracker”  at noon and again at 5 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way. Tickets are $32.50 to $43 and available at hemm.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/19225.

The Krampusnacht Bazaar, featuring ghoulishly delightful artisan wares and eerie oddities, will open once more from 3 to 7 p.m. at ArtSpace.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin’s “Holly Days” promotion kicks off on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, and includes a tree lighting ceremony along DuPage Court at 5 p.m. that night. (Photo courtesy Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin.)

Adult revelers are welcome to cosplay while taking part in a Krampus Crawl from 7 p.m. to midnight at participating downtown establishments. For more information on Krampus events, email johnlafleur13@gmail.com.

Nothing But Treble will celebrate the holiday season in song with a 7 p.m. concert at the First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago Street. Admission is a suggested $20 donation. For more information, visit fcc-elgin.org/event/nothing-but-treble-concert/.

Sunday, Dec. 7

M3 Dance will present “The Nutcracker” at noon at The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way.

Monday, Dec. 8

Axiom Brass will perform a holiday concert at 7 p.m. at  First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago Street. Tickets are $25, and $15  for students. For tickets and more information, visit www.chambermusiconthefox.org/concert/holiday-brass/.

Saturday, Dec. 13

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin will be hosting a Holly Days Holiday Pop-Up Market from 12 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S Grove Avenue.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual Holiday Spectacular concerts at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets are $20 to $68, with discounts available for students. For tickets and more information, visit  www.elginsymphony.org/en/home.

Sunday, Dec. 14

The Holly Days Holiday Pop-Up Market will run once more from 12 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley building, 56 S Grove Avenue.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will reprise its Holiday Spectacular at 2:30 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

For more information on Holly Days events, visit www.downtownelgin.com/hollydays/.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for the Elgin Courier-News.

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