Rockford’s Got “Merry & Bright” Events for the Holidays

If you plan to get in a lot of holiday celebrating, or just a little, this note I'm looking at from Andrea Mandala at the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB) tells me that the Rockford region has you covered. So many fun and interesting things to do and see in a fairly short span of time.

We get things kicked off next Saturday with the Stroll on State presented by Illinois Bank & Trust from 3-9pm downtown along State Street. Admission is free.

Another really cool attraction premieres during Stroll on State:

River Lights will debut at Stroll on State presented by Illinois Bank & Trust. Following Stroll on State, the lights will stay on and the music will continue every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night until January 2, 2016. There will be three light shows per night at 5:30/6:30/7:30 p.m. Viewing is best from the walking path that makes its way through the light show on the west bank of the Rock River between the State and Jefferson Street bridges. There is no admission fee to watch the light show. For more information on River Lights, go to rockfordriverlights.com.

As you'll see below, there are plenty more reasons to stick around during the entire holiday season:

· Holiday Festival of Lights – Sinnissippi Park (Nov. 29-Dec. 27) – A holiday presentation and family tradition since 1989 features 50 holiday displays sponsored by various local businesses and organizations throughout the region.

· Swedish Historical Society – Lucia Concert (Dec. 4) – This cultural celebration takes place to light the darkest time of year and ring in the holiday season with Swedish delicacies and traditions.

· Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Rockford Dance Company – The Nutcracker (Dec. 5 - 6) – This timeless family tradition has been completely reimagined to reflect Rockford with a special performance including top local dancers and musicians.

· Rockton Christmas Walk (Dec. 5) – Experience the Candy Cane Craft Fair, the official lighting of the Park, lighted Parade, horse drawn wagon rides, a visit from Santa, carolers and more.

· Winnebago Buy Local – A Local Holiday Market (Dec. 5) – Support local businesses while shopping some of the area’s best makers selling handmade goods. This event is hosted at Rockford University and includes a free goodie bag to the first 200 people that arrive.

· J. R. Sullivan’s “Hometown Holiday” (Dec. 11-13) – Laugh along at this popular seasonal variety show featuring holiday-inspired storytelling, comedy and seasonal songs. This year’s production features Rockford native and nationally-known actress and singer E. Faye Butler along with returning and new members of the company.

· Holiday Pops Concert (Dec. 19-20) – Coronado Performing Arts Center celebrates the holiday season as the Mendelssohn Chorale joins the Rockford Symphony Orchestra to bring the best music of the season, from popular to traditional and sentimental to serious.

· Burpee Museum – New Year Around the World (Dec. 31) – Celebrate the last hours of 2015 by watching performances of folk dances from different countries, viewing displays of items from various cultures and participating in activities to celebrate and welcome the new year.

· Discovery Center Museum – Countdown to Fun! (Dec. 31) – Design a party hat, create a noisemaker and get showered with confetti during the countdown to midnight each hour.

Filed Under: holiday season, racvb, Rockford region, Stroll on State

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