Activities & Special Events
Country Christmas is packed with special events and activities all weekend long!
Friday, December 1st
Visits with Santa
Friday, December 1st @ 5-7PM
Visit with Santa by the gazebo!
Friday, 5-7 PM.
Saturday, 2-5 PM
A Holiday House Walk
Friday, December 1st @ 2-8PM
Crete Woman's Club A Holiday House Walk
More information & Tickets...
Hayrides
Friday, December 1st @ 6-9PM
Pick-up & Drop-off on the corner of Cass & Wood
Gaines Farm will once again provide hayrides throughout the neighborhood. Loading and unloading on the corner of Cass & Wood streets.
Friday, 6 PM - 9 PM
Saturday, 1 PM - 3 PM
NEW! Cocoa & Cookie Crawl: Friday, December 1st @ 5-7PM
The newest addition to Crete Country Christmas! Participants will be able to stroll around beautiful downtown Crete to participating businesses to enjoy a warm cup of cocoa and/or cookies in your limited edition 2023 Crete Country Christmas mug! Each business will offer something different!
Friday, December 1st, from 5-7pm
Get Your Mug For The Crawl!
Mugs are $10 each
Pre-order mugs online using our form below.
Pre-orders will be open until November 29th unless we sell out. Only 100 mugs will be sold!
Cocoa & Cookie Crawl Participants will check-in at Crete Park on Main between 4:45-5:45pm. At check-in, participants will receive their mugs, a list of participating businesses, and, if necessary, a wristband.
Why a wristband? Participants who are 21+ are welcome to imbibe in "Adult Cocoa" at locations that hold a liquor license. Additional charges will apply.
Check Out Our Participating Businesses
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Mugs are sold out online!
We will have a small amount available for purchase at Crete Park during check-in on December 1st. These will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash only.
Saturday, December 2nd
Community Activities
Visit the links provided for more information from the activity hosts.
'Gnome for the Holidays' Gift Bag Hunt
Begins at 9:00 AM
20 Gnome Ornaments will be hidden in Crete during Crete Country Christmas! Are you clever enough to find one?
Search around town to find an ornament and bring it to Crete Creative Gallery (1304 Main Street) to claim a gift bag from Santa and the Gnomes. Clues will be posted on the Crete Country Christmas Facebook page on Saturday, December 3rd beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Free Cones with Sprinkles
FIRST 200 CHILDREN (14 & Under)
The Ice Cream Shoppe (1390 Main Street)
Free cones with sprinkles to the first 200 children (14 & under). More information...
Crete Woman's Club Holiday Cookie Sale
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Crete Township Hall (1367 Wood Street)
Crete Woman's Club invites you to their Holiday Cookie Sale!
More information...
Call or Write the North Pole - Get a Haircut by the Grinch
10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Salon 22 (1334 Main Street)
Haircuts with the Grinch and Elsa. Photo opportunities available!
Sunday, 11:00 - 2:00 PM: Write a letter to Santa, Phone calls to Santa!
Photos and Snacks
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The Edge Coffeehouse (1366 Main Street)
Bring your camera to take a photo on our patio (all weekend long). Kids 12 and Under: Come inside for a sweet treat and Hot Chocolate More information...
Family Identification Program
10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Crete Masonic Lodge 763 (1419 Main Street STE B)
Family identification program for children and adults. More information...
Decorate an Ornament
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Independence Physical Therapy (1397 Main Street)
Come paint an ornament! More information...
Crafts for Kids
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Milestones Counseling Center LLC (534 1st Street STE A)
Make an Ornament or Advent Calendar. Cocoa & Coffee available. More information...
Indoor Snowball Fight
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Crete Park on Main (1374 Main Street)
Let's have a snowball fight, indoors! More information..
53rd Annual Christmas Open House
10:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Lotton Art Glass (24760 S Country Lane)
Visit the gallery and studio to experience live glass artistry, meet the artists, see their newest creations, and browse the gallery for a special gift. More information...
Hot Cocoa Bar
11:00 AM-1:00 PM
The Finishing Touch Florist (563 W Exchange Street)
More information...
Country Christmas Museum Holiday Social
12:00- 4:00 PM
Crete Area Historical Society Museum (550 W Exchange St)
Christmas Caroling Sing-A-Longs, Kids coloring and letters to Santa Claus, Angels on Assignment Tree of Hope w/Tags, Cookies, Cocoa, Apple Cider, S'Mores, Raffles, and more! More information...
Christmas Ornament Making
1:00-3:00PM
Evil Horse Brewing Co. (1338 Main Street)
Come paint an ornament with us! More information...
Santa Visits
2:00-5:00 PM
At the Gazebo
Visit with Santa and tell him all of your Christmas wishes!
Take an Ornamet and Craft Sale
Curves (1395 C Main Street)
Open house! Come try out our equipment, take an ornament off of the tree. Crafts will be for sale in the building. More information...
Happy Birthday Jesus Breakfast
9:15 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church (1393 Elizabeth Street)
Happy Birthday Jesus Breakfast with Puppet Show.
More information...
Versiti Blood Drive
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church (1393 Elizabeth Street)
Blood drive at the Elementary School More information..
Guessing Game
Vintage Treasures (507 W Exchange Street)
Stop in for our Guessing Game! Winner will receive a basket of goodies, free gifts for all. More information..
REAL Gold Panning!
Smokey Jos (475 W Burville Rd)
Kids can come experience the thrill of REAL gold panning! More information...
Make Your Own Reindeer Food
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Polaris Martial Arts (1336 Main Street)
Kids of all ages will love to make their own custom Reindeer Food to attract Santa and his sleigh!
More information...
Games, Crafts, Raffles, Photos & Refreshments
Reid & Pederson Drainage & Trenchless Innovations (1762 S Dixie Hwy)
Ice Cream Bar, Fresh Popped Popcorn, Hot Chocolate, Raffles, Christmas Themed Games with Prizes, Photo Wall, and Crafts!
Decorate Your Own Bank
Old Plank Trail Bank (700 W Exchange St)
Decorate your own wooden bank! Hot chocolate, cookies, and Letters to Santa too!
More information...
Festive Holiday Crafts
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Crete Public Library (1177 N Main Street)
Festive Holiday Crafts
More information...
Artist Market
Crete United Methodist Church (1321 Main Street)
Artists Market. More information...
Irish Coffee & Candy Canes
Vintage Oak (1392 Main Street)
Special on Irish Coffee for the adults and free candy canes for the kids. More information...
Kiddie Cocktails & Cookies
Chuck's Tavern (1358 Main Street)
Kiddie Cocktails & Cookies. More information...
Live Nativity
NOON - 2:30 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church (1393 Elizabeth Street)
Enjoy Live Nativity at Illinois Lutheran Elementary School More information...
Hayrides
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Pick-up & Drop-off on the corner of Cass & Wood
Gaines Farm will once again provide hayrides throughout the neighborhood. Loading and unloading on the corner of Cass & Wood streets.
Enduring Strings Performance
2:00 PM
Crete Public Library (1177 N Main Street)
Join us for the Enduring Strings performance by the fireplace at 2:00 p.m. More information...
Kids Make Your Own 'Lil' Pizza
Crete Aurelio's (1372 Main Street)
Kids can make their own "Lil" Pizza with an adult food purchase of $10 or more. More information...
County Line Pet Hospital
County Line Pet Hospital (3312 Chicago Road, Steger)
More information...
Bellezza Salon
Bellezza Salon (1395 C Main Street)
More information...
Crete BP
Crete BP (23802 S Volbrecht Road)
More information...
So Many Things To See & Do!
Enjoy a special performance beginning at 2:00 PM by the Enduring Strings at Crete Public Library (1177 N Main Street)!
Stop by the Crete Masonic Lodge 763 (1419 Main St) to warm up prior to the Parade of Lights! Parade begins at 6 PM.
Saturday, December 2nd
SPECIAL EVENTS
Grinch 5K Run
Saturday, December 2nd
Get ready! The Annual Crete Country Christmas 5K will be run on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Register by November 24, 2023 to get the discounted rate!
Check-in Begins: 7:00 AM
Race Start: 8:00 AM
Race End: 9:30 AM
Start and Finish will be Division and Wood Street.
Registration
Gather your Christmas spirit and chase down the Grinch in our Crete Country Christmas Grinch 5K. Runners, Walkers, Strollers are all welcome to dress for the occasion in Grinch Green and come out for fun. The race will benefit the Crete Food Pantry. We ask all participants to bring a nonperishable food item to donate on the morning of the race.
Included in your 5K registration:
- Grinch 5K Beanie Hat
- Fruit, water, granola provided in runners tent
- Satisfaction of completing a 5K in December
Registration will be accepted until 7:45 AM on the morning of the race. We encourage participants to register early to ensure that you receive all of the goodies included in registration.
Breakfast with the Grinch
Saturday, December 2nd
Join all the other Who's in Whoville for this breakfast with the Grinch. Scrambled Eggs, biscuits and gravy, donuts/muffins, fruit, coffee, and juice. Make sure to bring your camera to snap some pictures of the Green man of the hour. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Multiple seating times from 9 AM - 11 AM are available for Saturday. In order to register, participants MUST create an account through Crete Park District with their new system.
Kris Kringle Market
Saturday, December 2nd @ 9 AM - 3 PM
Location: Crete Church (24755 S. Country Lane, Crete)The Kris Kringle Market is a favorite of Country Christmas visitors and features many local vendors. The Market is a great place to pick up unique gifts for yourself and those on your Christmas list!
Reindog Contest and Pet Blessings
Saturday, December 2nd @ 12 - 1 PM
Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 2nd @ 6PM
Don't miss this great family fun event! The Parade Grand Marshall will lead the parade North down Main Street from Burville to First Street. A holiday tradition to entertain the whole family!
Interested in entering the parade?
The registration deadline is November 28. Visit Parade of Lights Registration for more information.
Sunday, December 3rd
Bloody Mary BINGO
Sunday, December 3rd @ 10 AM - 2PM
Come and try your luck while having a great time! There will be two BINGO games played in the Christmas Lodge! The Crete Lions Club will also be serving up Bloody Mary drinks! Games begin at 10:00am!
Eddie Korosa Polka Band
Sunday, December 3rd @ 2 - 5 PM
Get your Polka & Pierogi on! Pierogies will be available during the Eddie Korosa Polka Band.
Special Events
No Snow - No Problem Snowman Contest
Snowmen will stay on display on Cass Street during Country Christmas 2023
The Crete Country Christmas Committee would like to challenge you to participate in the No Snow – No Problem Snowman Contest.
What is it and how does it work?
Businesses, organizations or families purchase the unique 4ft x 3ft wooden snowman and stand from Nick Fellers State Farm Office at 547 W Exchange Street in Crete for $30. Use your crafty side and paint and decorate, your snowman into your work of art. STILL have your snowman from last year? YES! You can use your snowman from then. COST to enter with your previously purchased snowman is only $10. All snowmen can be set up along Cass Street between Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1, by 5:00 PM. The snowmen will stay on display on Cass Street during Country Christmas 2023. Remove YOUR snowman by Tuesday, December 5th, and let it decorate your own front yard for the season; it is yours to keep. The snowmen will be judged by a panel of judges and a prize of $25 will be awarded for the following categories:
- Best Traditional Snowman
- Most Creative Snowman
2023 SNOWMAN CONTEST INFORMATION, RULES, & GUIDELINES
Entrants must purchase the Crete Country Christmas Snowman; these are available at Nick Fellers State Farm 547 W Exchange Street Crete.
- Entrants must purchase the Crete Country Christmas Snowman; these are available at Nick Fellers State Farm (547 W Exchange Street, Crete)
- Each entrant must complete their snowman by Friday, December 1, at 5:00 PM.
- All entries must be appropriate for public display.
- You may use accessories to add to their snowman. Entrants are encouraged to add their own creative touches that will make their snowman unique.
- By submitting an entry, contestants grant Crete Country Christmas permission and authority to use pictures in any reasonable advertising or promotional activities.
Crete Santa Sleigh Parade
Monday, December 4 & Tuesday, December 5
Santa will be parading around Crete in his sleigh collecting non-perishable food pantry donations or monetary donations (please make checks payable to Crete Food Pantry) and new, unwrapped toys for Angels on Assignment. Please leave donations on the curb for collection.
Santa's Sleigh Parade Routes
Routes begin at 5:00 p.m.
Monday, December 4, Zone 1 (The Downtown Crete Area): Zone 1 Parade Route
Tuesday, December 5, Zone 2 (Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire East, Swiss Valley Areas): Zone 2 Parade Route
Is Santa not going down your street?
Please go to the nearest intersection or highlighted street.
Follow Santa's Sleigh!
Follow Santa's Sleigh as he rides through Crete with real-time LIVE updates on his location. Is your stop next? Find out with our LIVE GPS Santa Tracker!
