For half a century, the Village of Riverside has joyfully kicked off the Christmas season with its beloved Holiday Stroll — an early December tradition spreading yuletide cheer and neighborly camaraderie in the old-fashioned way only Riverside can.
And this year, the holiday magic returns on Friday, Dec. 5, where from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the heart of downtown Riverside and the business districts will be abuzz with festive open houses, seasonal entertainment and engaging activities for guests of all ages.
Longtime Riverside resident Amy Regan, who serves on the Holiday Stroll’s committee, says this year’s milestone celebration of the event is a continued point of pride for business leaders and residents alike and truly illuminates Riverside’s sense of hometown pride.
“This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of a fantastic holiday tradition,” she said. “The entire village opens up — it’s festive and fun, and it’s great to see so many people come out. The streets being blocked off means that everyone is in the middle of the celebrations, and it’s so welcoming and fun in a locally centric way. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, so many people come out because they want to celebrate the season.”
And for the first time, the stroll’s Christmas tree lighting will be officially christened as “The Brian Brennan Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony” in memory of the late Brian Brennan, a beloved longtime Riverside resident, Realtor and coach who served as the lead organizer of the Holiday Stroll for 30 years and passed away suddenly this past February. For his service and generosity to the village, Brennan was even honored for his contributions in 2004 as Riverside’s Man of the Year.
“He single-handedly organized the Holiday Stroll for three decades, and to celebrate his legacy and generosity to our village, the tree lighting will forever be named in his honor,” Regan said.
Stroll magic officially starts at 5:30 p.m., when Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive via fire truck at Centennial Park (Longcommon Road and Forest Avenue), mingling with guests before helping village officials and local children illuminate the grand Christmas tree at 6 p.m. To commemorate 50 years of the event, members of the Riverside-Brookfield High School poms squad will be carrying 50 colorful lanterns leading the fire truck and the Clauses to the park.
Immediately following the tree lighting, stick around the Centennial Plaza/East Avenue/North Longcommon Road corridor for an array of fun activities. Riverside Parks and Recreation will be hosting a sugar-filled make-and-take holiday treat station at the Water Tower; Riverside Plumbing and Cooling, 3 Longcommon Ave., will feature an open house with yummy cookie treats; Salon Elia, 5 Longcommon Ave., will have hummus cups, gluten-free cookies and face painting for kids; Rosie’s Tailor Shop and Cleaners, 9 N. Longcommon, will be home to Christmas stocking decorating; Riverside Masonic Lodge, 40 Forest Ave., will feature a model train display, popcorn, hot chocolate and open mic karaoke; and Riverside Garage, 18 East Ave., will also be featuring its fan-favorite model train display, petting zoo, pony rides, hot chocolate and s’mores around a warm fire pit (courtesy of Young Life and the Boy Scouts). For adults looking for some fun libations, BuckleDown Brewing will also be in the area selling craft beer out of their trailer.
Riverside’s historic train station will be bustling all evening long with entertainment and the second season of the Santa Holiday Artisan Market. Catch upbeat holiday dance performances by the RB poms team — which is headed to the National Dance Team Championships this winter — every 15 minutes from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join their workshops and perform with the squad in their next performance!
Vinette, Riverside’s new boutique wine shop located inside the train station, will offer wine samplings and tastings for adults looking to add a special something to the holiday celebrations.
Back for the second year, the Santa Holiday Artisan Market will feature local vendors offering unique gift finds for everyone on your gift giving list, including hand stamped cards from Crafted by Sheila Gentile; felt and glass ornaments and paper house gifts by Gelse Tkalec; Riverside apparel and throw pillows by the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity; handcrafted popcorn by Liz Carey of Carey Corn; one-of-a-kind hand-crafted handbags and small accessories by Mary Margaret Collins of Two Crazy Daisies; handmade artisan bath and body products including soy wax candles, shampoo bars and gift sets by Hilary Quinn of Hilary’s Soap Box; “Not Your Average Oatmeal” children’s books by Riversider Abby Regan; and “Olmsted’s Riverside: Stewardship Meets Innovation in a Landmark Village” book sales by author Cathy Jean Maloney. Don’t forget to grab a balloon art piece by Tommy Twister while you’re at the market too!
Over at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, stop for a family photo and gifts with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy children’s crafts, and purchase 2025 Riverside ornaments or a Christmas book at the book sale. Next door at Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, sit back to the cheerful sounds of Christmas music from the Riverside School District 96 Fourth and Fifth Grade Choir from 6:30 to 7 p.m.; witness wild fun with an interactive bug and reptile presentation by The Reptile Den from 6 to 9 p.m.; and browse at two-dimensional snow globe art and water color paintings by District 96 fifth- and seventh-grade students.
Along the Riverside Road/Quincy Street corridor, visit Centre Physical Therapy, 1 Riverside Road, for free crafts, adult beverages and unique vendors; The Treehouse, 1 Riverside Road, for savory hot chocolate and a holiday dance party in partnership with Hauser Junior High School’s PTO; First American Bank, 15 Riverside Road, for popcorn and surprise prizes; Jeff’s Auto Garage, 20 E. Quincy St., for live sugar glider demonstrations, Italian beef sandwiches, chili, hot dogs and classical winter music by Winter’s Night Orchestra; Metal Mites Inc., 36 E. Quincy St., for Santa’s workshop, colorful balloons and popcorn; the Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., for hot chocolate and bourbon apple cider (for the adults), a ceramics pop-up shop and to create your own luminary lantern to light up the Sculpture Garden; and the Parks and Rec Community Center, 43 E. Quincy St., for a photo op with everyone’s favorite holiday curmudgeon, The Grinch, and inclusive holiday crafting sponsored by the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA).
As always, Riverside’s old-fashioned Christmas vibes will abound outdoors as pony cart rides will take place all evening long, with loading and unloading taking place this year in front of the Parks and Rec Community Center. Take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate the season like Riverside’s early residents did in the late 1800s!
Over at Burlington Street South, jam out with ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll hits with Elvis tribute performances at Riverside Bank, 17 E. Burlington St.; listen to the Frozen Robins Carolers while enjoying scrumptious holiday treats at @Properties, 21 E. Burlington St.; enjoy a $5 brandy-spiked holiday eggnog at The Chew Chew, 33 E. Burlington St.; and sample a variety of refreshments presented by Ride Riverside at Northwood Oaks Investments, 37 E. Burlington St.
Finally, across the street along Burlington Street North, enter La Barra Restaurant, 2 E. Burlington St., for live holiday music; be one of the first 250 visitors for tote bags with water, candy, calendars and holiday cheer at Mike Adelsbach State Farm Insurance, 18 E. Burlington St.; say hello to the clergy and parishioners of St. Paul VI Parish and St. Mary School, 40 E. Burlington St., while enjoying Christmas caroling and popcorn; and decorate ornament crafts, try your hand at holiday “carol-oke” and purchase ornaments with proceeds benefiting Lurie Children’s Hospital at Salon D’Amore, 52 E. Burlington St. In front of Village Center will be tents this year featuring a bake sale of homemade cookies and dog greats by Girl Scouts; light-up holiday novelties by Baird & Warner La Grange and Oak Park; education on recreational cannabis and free swag by Star Buds Dispensary; bags of coffee for sale by Sloan Coffee Roasting; raffles and hot chocolate with Next Level Wellness; sensory bins and kids crafts by Le Village Cowork/Old Route 66; and an opportunity to meet local athletes and learn about joining local club soccer with the RBFC Soccer Club.
