As I have pointed out time and time again, the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB) is constantly hard at work to eradicate a sentence we've all heard (and some will confess to actually saying it). That sentence is: "There's nothing to do in Rockford." This holiday season, the RACVB will prove there are lots and lots of things to do with their "Merry and Bright" events.

Each Friday morning, after the 8:30 news, our friend Andrea joins us from the RACVB with a run-down of events and activities taking place over the weekend. When she showed us a partial list of the upcoming holiday events during "Merry and Bright," we were blown away by the sheer numbers of cool things taking place around the Rockford area.

I don't have the space to list them all, but here are a few things that are just around the corner (both geographically and in terms of time):

Holiday Tree Lighting & Open House
Nov 18 - 19 @ Edgebrook

Get in the holiday spirit with Edgebrook's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday and the Open House on Saturday featuring all of the merchants at Edgebrook.

A Cottage Christmas
Nov 22 - Jan 15 @ Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum will be alive with the sights and sounds of “Christmas Past” The historic Tinker Swiss Cottage will remain decorated for the holidays for all to enjoy.

Festival of Lights
Nov 25 - Dec 25 @ Sinnissippi Park

The annual Holiday Festival of Lights has become a Stateline family tradition, with over 50 holiday-themed lighted displays. Santa will be on site each weekend night so you can hand deliver your letters to him.

Stroll on State
Nov 26 @ Downtown Rockford

Stroll on State returns for a 4th year to get you in the holiday spirit. Come see Santa, go ice skating and witness the magical tree lighting ceremony of the official City Christmas tree.

All Aglow Display
Nov 26 - Jan 8 @ Nicholas Conservatory

Come see sparkling holiday lights and beautiful floral displays inside the warm tropical conservatory. Outdoor grounds are also lit up and decorated for the season.

Rockton Christmas Walk
Dec 3 @ Downtown Rockton

The 32nd annual event includes the Candy Cane Craft Fair, Lighting of the Park, Lighted Parade, horse drawn wagon rides, Santa and Christmas carolers.

J.R. Sullivan's Hometown Holiday
Dec 10 - 11 @ Nordlof Center

This seasonal variety show is custom-made each year for the Rockford community. It features holiday-inspired storytelling, comedy and seasonal and popular music.

Holiday Pops Concert
Dec 17 - 18 @ Coronado Performing Arts Center

Celebrate the holiday season as the Mendelssohn Chorale joins the Rockford Symphony Orchestra to bring you the best music of the season, from popular to traditional and sentimental to serious.

Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition
Jan 18 - 21 @ Sinnissippi Park

Teams from around the state compete for the right to represent Illinois in the 2018 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition.

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