Brookfield’s beloved Holiday Celebration — the village’s annual Christmastime event uniting residents, business owners and village officials in yuletide joy — is back to kick off the holiday season this weekend.
Co-sponsored by the village and Brookfield’s Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Holiday Celebration will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. along the Grand Boulevard and Broadway Avenue business corridors, with festive stops in between, including Brookfield Village Hall and Historic Grossdale Station.
Throughout the afternoon, guests are welcome to park for free in the village’s business districts, stroll on foot or hop aboard a courtesy trolley, which will run continuously among six stops: Brookfield Village Hall (8820 Brookfield Ave.), The Shop Salon & Style House (3735 Grand Boulevard), the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Public Library (3541 Park Ave.), the 9100 block of Broadway Avenue, S.E. Gross Middle School (9235 Broadway Ave.) and the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard.
Bob Uphues, communications and marketing manager for the Village of Brookfield, says the event — now several decades in existence — is just one of the village’s many ways in which it showcases prioritizing providing locals with an old-fashioned, hometown-feel event to start the holiday season off on the right foot.
“While some towns may have scaled back from these large-scale events, Brookfield has been expanding its offerings,” he says. “The holiday celebration has gone on for many decades, and people count on it to kick off the holiday season. It showcases the businesses in our community and is important for the community to feel like they have an event they can show off.”
And though the event has existed for many years, Uphues adds that Brookfield’s newest residents have shared seeing great value and pleasure in the celebration as well.
“The community really appreciates that Brookfield is able to exude this small-town aura,” he said. “A lot of the new, young families who have moved to Brookfield over the last decade really appreciate that the village is still leveraging that small-town feel, and this event helps tie people to the community.”
Back for its third year is the fan-favorite Kris Kringle Market — this year, all weekend long. Located at Brookfield Village Hall, the market will run Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing more seasonal magic and two full days of soaking in the holiday spirit.
The market will showcase more than 70 local vendors selling an array of unique finds from local entrepreneurs and business owners, including jewelry, home goods and gourmet bakery. Shop and stroll through a sparkling winter wonderland with the market’s exclusive collector’s mug in hand (while supplies last) and be inspired by the creativity of vendors, including kids who are part of the Brookfield Farmer’s Market’s Young Entrepreneurs program.
With the help of Santa’s elves, kids are invited to write heartfelt letters to Santa, and all postmarked letters are guaranteed to receive a response. Afterwards, strike a pose at one of the market’s many holiday-themed photo backdrops.
“The market is very loved, and every year we’re growing with vendors,” said Gina Sharenow, a Brookfield resident and market organizer. “I think it’s a nice, cherished community event where you don’t have to go into Chicago or Aurora to enjoy a Christmas market. And we’re really giving back to our community in regards to local businesses being represented at the market and independent local vendors really capitalizing. It’s about giving back to small community shops.”
Both days at the market will also feature a new “Gift of Giving Tree” — an opportunity for visitors to bring a non-perishable food item or winter clothing item (like hats, gloves, coats and scarves). Each item donated earns donors a raffle ticket, and a $250 cash raffle winner will be chosen on Sunday.
“We’re hoping that in light of everything going on these days that we can help families in the community,” Sharenow added.
While along Trolley Stop 1, visit Historic Grossdale Station (8820 ½ Brookfield Ave.), where the museum will be open until 4 p.m.; and catch live woodcarving demonstrations showcasing rustic art talents until 5 p.m.
Keep note — Grossdale Station is now the permanent home of the celebration’s Christmas tree lighting, which will close out the evening from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Along Trolley Stop 2, keep warm with the chill in the air and indulge in free hot chocolate at Ink Your Wear/Computech Pro (8838 Brookfield Ave.); meet-and-greet with your favorite characters from Disney’s “Frozen” and make your own reindeer food at Fill My Jar (3726 Prairie Ave.); snap a family photo during your wish list sharing visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Irish Times (8869 Burlington Ave.); catch mythical fire performers at Burger Antics (3740 Grand Boulevard); and grab a second cup of hot chocolate while shopping for one-of-a-kind natural, botanical skincare products — all for 20% off — at Luxxe Honor (3745 Grand Boulevard).
At Trolley Stop 3’s Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Public Library, staff will be passing out free hot chocolate and organizing crafts for all ages in their state-of-the-art Maker Studio until 6 p.m.
When making your way down to Trolley Stop 4, enjoy even more hot chocolate, kids holiday crafts and a Mom-Made Market from 1 to 3 p.m. at Winnie’s Playroom (9039 Monroe Ave.) — Brookfield’s new children’s indoor play space. Want to snack on some fun treats while shopping for hair products? Then head over to GoodxTimes Barbershop (3501 Maple Ave.), where you can buy two items, get $5 off your total for hair products, shirts and hats. Animal lovers can check out the fan-favorite petting zoo from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Washington Avenue, west of Beach Avenue BBQ. Have you ever tried playing tic-tac-toe with ice? If not, then now’s your chance at the interactive ice game station at First National Bank of Brookfield (9136 Washington Ave.)
Along the S.E. Gross Middle School route (Trolley Stop 5), warm up inside the school and be entertained by the musically inclined youngsters of Brookfield and La Grange Park’s with performances by the school’s holiday band and choir throughout the afternoon. Inside the gym, a giant inflatable snow globe will be blown up for fun photo ops for the kids, along with other inflatables and fun activities for the kids. If you’re ready to showcase your twists, twirls and speed on skates, check out the iceless ice rink inside the school.
Across the street, join neighbors for fellowship over hot chocolate and another chance at making reindeer food at Palacky Lodge Odd Fellows (9234 Broadway Ave.) While there, don’t forget to purchase $10 raffle tickets for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch 2 and other exciting gift basket options. For the cycle-minded visitors, come say “hello” at Gears2You (9219 Broadway Ave.) and get a free bike headlight with your tuneup. More warm beverages, including free hot apple cider, can be found at Just Wallpaper (9219 Broadway Ave.). Join in the creative fun for free ornament making at Compassion Factory (9210 Broadway Ave.) and grab free s’mores at Beach Avenue BBQ (3453 Grand Boulevard).
And, this year’s introduction of the Brookfield Shops to town means even more opportunities for holiday cheer at the celebration! Located at Progress Park (9202 Broadway Ave.), the village’s innovative retail incubator program features local entrepreneurs and artisans with one-of-a-kind finds in seasonal mini retail sheds. At Four Star Coffee, kids can indulge in a winter wonderland hot chocolate bar, and adults can try out holiday espresso martinis. Frost With Us will be passing out holiday-flavored sweets and a holiday hot chocolate flight. At New Book Joy, adults can enjoy a complimentary glass of red wine, and book purchases come with complimentary holiday glasses. Adults looking for more fun Christmas libations can visit Rites of Wellness for spiked spiced cider or mulled wine, taste hot chocolate chai and see what shopping discounts are available. Organic Jewelry will have holiday specials and The Shop/Style House Boutique will be featuring a sale of buy one full-priced item, get an accessory for half off. When you’re shopped out, test your hand at a frozen game of ice bags at the park — just don’t forget your gloves and mittens!
Of course, make sure you don’t miss the evening’s grand finale — the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Grossdale Station. At 5 p.m., carolers from Riverside-Brookfield High School will set the mood with holiday tunes in anticipation of Santa’s arrival via fire truck, where he will merrily lead the crowd in a countdown to illuminate the tree at 5:30 p.m.
