Beneath a canopy of twinkling lights, the Village of Palos Park welcomed the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Party on Thursday evening at the Palos Park Recreation Department. Families and neighbors gathered to enjoy crafts, music, food, and festive cheer as generations came together to celebrate the magic of the season.
“The tree lighting is one of Palos Park’s most treasured traditions,” Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters said. “It has a small-town feel that truly makes it magical and reminds us of why Palos Park is such a special place to call home.”
The evening began inside the Recreation Department, where children crafted ornaments, played holiday games, and warmed up with hot chocolate. Just down the hall, the Holiday Artisan Market brought the gymnasium to life with 18 local vendors offering a colorful array of handmade goods. Shoppers browsed gifts and treats from Mike Klen Caricatures; artist Rachel Montagano; Lulu’s Sweet Treat Shoppe; McCord Gallery; AM Novelty; Kerry Fitzgibbon Pottery; Get Lit Provisions; JAM Foods & Services; PPWC; LaLa Logan; Bee Life; Plot Twist Books; Trinketara; Happy Head Huggers; Libra Rising by Yoali; Marvelous Light Candle; Sid’s Sauce; and Ms. Sterba’s Kitchen.
For the second year, children delighted in visiting the Holly Jolly Lil’ Shopper’s Shoppe, where they selected their own gifts for parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends. Milovich-Walters said she was thrilled to bring back the shop, noting how meaningful it was to give young shoppers the chance to choose presents independently.
The celebration continued with food from Durbin’s Pizza, while live music from the Lemont School of Rock filled the air with energetic seasonal favorites.
As the crowd gathered outdoors for the main event, Santa Claus made a memorable entrance in a tractor-pulled hayrack, trading his traditional sleigh for a rustic ride that drew cheers from children. Moments later, the towering evergreen illuminated the night sky with a burst of shimmering lights, prompting applause and wide-eyed wonder.
“Palos Park takes great pride in hosting our Tree Lighting and Holiday Party each year,” said Stephen DeFalco, director of the Recreation and Parks Department. “These free community celebrations are where neighbors come together, memories are made, and the holiday spirit begins to shine.”
DeFalco said the event also marks a meaningful seasonal shift for the village. “I love the Tree Lighting and Holiday Party because it marks the perfect transition from Thanksgiving and fall to the joy of winter and the holiday season,” he said. “Watching the Recreation Center light up—both with festive decorations and with the energy of people—serves as a beautiful reminder of the role our Recreation and Parks Department plays in bringing the community together.”
After the tree was lit, families lined up for photos with Santa, while children explored the Lil’ Shopper’s Shoppe, clutched bags of handpicked gifts, and rang bells handed out by volunteers as the night echoed with laughter and carols.
As the evening drew to a close, the glow of the village tree reflected the warmth of a community celebrating side by side. From the bustling artisan market to the joy on children’s faces, the tradition once again proved that the magic of the season shone brightest when shared together in Palos Park.
