Main St between 2nd St & River St
& River St between Main & Barrington

Watch as the storefronts in downtown East and West Dundee come to life with holiday scenes. There will be a ton of great window displays to see, as well as special offerings and events from our downtown businesses.

In West Dundee, start at Francesca's and make your way east on the south side of Main Street. They cross over at First Street and make your way back, ending at Emmett's.

In East Dundee, start by The Depot and head south along River Street and west on Main Street. Six scenes from A Christmas Carol will be presented along River Street.

Click to see which storefronts will be hosting Living Windows.

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted, thereby providing a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

The Marine will be collecting unwrapped NEW toy donations for Toys for Tots during Living Windows from 6-8 pm at Bikini Bottom Bar & Grill, 105-107 W Main. The Marines will also be accepting monetary donations to the Toys for Tots program. In exchange, a paper train identifying each donation will be hung in the window. Fundraising will continue until 1:00 am.

Bii Natural Salon is also accepting unwrapped NEW toy donations for Toys for Tots at their location at 1955 Huntley Rd through December 11, 2015.

The Depot - 319 River Street, East Dundee

Join East Dundee officials for the lighting of the Village Christmas tree and the joyful sounds of the Dundee-Crown Chamber Choir.

Immediately following the tree lighting, Santa will arrive on a fire truck to greet families and their children. Take pictures with Santa in The Depot with hot chocolate and cider provided by volunteers of the Dundee Township Visitor's Center.

Listen to the sounds of Victorian carolers, The Frozen Robins, as River Street is turned into a winter wonderland!

The Depot - 319 River Street, East Dundee

Join Neu Family Dental at the Depot on Friday during Living Windows and on Saturday following the Parade to warm up under the heated tent. Enjoy hot chocolate, fun winter games and get your picture taken with characters from Disney’s FROZEN.

River Street, East Dundee

Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown East Dundee on Friday night from 6-9pm. Adults (12 and older) cost $10, no charge for children under 12. On Saturday, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides after the parade from 10am-2pm. Adults (12 and older) cost $5, no charge for children under 12.

Carriage rides will continue on Saturdays from 4-8pm throughout the month of December.

West Dundee Village Hall - 102 S 2nd Street

Warm up at West Dundee Village Hall with a cup of hot chocolate and some yummy Christmas cookies, while you visit with the Village Board members and the man in red!

West Dundee Village Hall - 102 S 2nd Street

Shop With A Cop of Dundee Township works to build positive relationships between police officers and the children of our community. Each year, area police officers sit down to a holiday breakfast with area children in need, including a visit from Santa, and join the children on a shopping trip at Wal-Mart to select a Christmas treat. Families also receive

To support this program, you may purchase a chance to win exciting raffle prizes. Shop with a Cop Raffle chances are $5.00 each of 5 for $20.00. Prizes include:

• $1,000 Cash! - sponsored by Schock's Towing & Shop With A Cop
• Beats Special Edition HP 15.6 Inch Laptop - sponsored by Rainbow Landscaping & Pete's A Towing
• Blackhawks vs Predators Tickets & Blackhawks Fan Package - sponsored by Mr & Mrs Swierkosz & Pro Image Sports
• $200 Vehicle Handwash & Detail Gift Certificate & $50 Gas Card - sponsored by TLC Handwash & Detail & Shell
• $50 Francesca's Gift Card & $80 Bii Salon Gift Basket - sponsored by Francesca's Campagna & Bii Hair Salon

Winners will be drawn shortly before 8:00 pm. Need not be present to win.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the West Dundee Police Department, 555 S. 8th Street.

West Dundee Village Hall - 102 S 2nd Street

Join West Dundee officials for the lighting of the Village Christmas tree and the joyful sounds of the Dundee-Crown Chamber Choir.

VFW Post 2298 - 117 S. First St.

Wrap up the evening in the warmth of the VFW's back banquet hall for a gathering of friends and neighbors with free appetizers, a cash bar and entertainment by West Dundee's own Controlled Burn.

Barnes & Noble - Spring Hill Mall

All aboard! In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the beloved classic The Polar Express, Barnes & Noble at Spring Hill Mall is hosting a pajama Storytime. There will be crafts to make and tons of fun!

For more information, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061745693-0

Randall Oaks Golf Club and Banquets - 4101 Binnie Road

Start your day with a hearty Breakfast Buffet in the company of Santa himself. Don't forget to stop and tell him what is on your Christmas list!

Reservations are required. Call (847)428-5661 ext 2 to reserve your seat. Click here for more information.

VFW Post 2298 - 117 S. First St.

Before the parade kicks off, stop in for a made-to-order breakfast at the VFW, including eggs, bacon, potatoes and other breakfast favorites.

Main St (72) from 2nd St in West Dundee
to River St (The Depot) in East Dundee

Gather with friends and neighbors along Main Street in anticipation of Santa's appearance during this classic Christmas parade./p>

Parade Registration Form

Register by E-Mail or Fax: 847-551-3809 by Monday, November 23. Questions? call Village Hall at 847-551-3800.

See who's registered for the parade

Line-up starts at 9:10 AM
Parade starts promptly at 10 AM

Grafelman Park

Pay a visit to Santa, make some fun holiday crafts and enjoy treats and hot cocoa.

Grafelman Park

Santa's Petting Zoo is sponsored by First American Bank.

First United Methodist Church - 4th & Main

Make memories while decorating your very own gingerbread house. The kit comes with a fully assembled gingerbread house, and all of the candy and goodies that you will need to decorate "to the nines".

Limit one kit per family. (If sufficient quantities remain after 1:00, additional kits may be purchased.)

While you're here, get your face painted by the Dundee-Crown Art Club.

Grafelman Park Tennis Court - 5th & Washington

Purchase your Christmas tree from the Dundee Lions Club!

Sales will begin on "Black Friday", November 27 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Regular hours will be Thursdays & Fridays from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and Saturdays & Sundays from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Tree sales will end on Sunday, December 13.

The Dundee Lions will take collection of non-perishable food items and disposable diapers for donation to the FISH Pantry. Eye glasses, cell phones and battery chargers, hearing aids, old keys and holiday light strings will be collected for recycling.

Grafelman Park - Main St between 4th & 5th

Walk the gallery of unique and beautiful Christmas trees decorated by local school groups and clubs.

Trees are decorated on Friday and judged for "Creativity", "Beauty" and "Holiday Spirit", with 3 Gold Awards ($40) and 3 Silver Awards ($25) given in each category.

An additional People's Choice Award ($50) will be determined via Facebook. Vote for your favorite tree on the Dundee Lions Facebook Page beginning on or about Sunday, December 6, through approximately Sunday, December 13.

Sponsored by the Dundee Lions Club.

Barnes & Noble - Spring Hill Mall

Head over to Barnes & Noble at Spring Hill Mall for coloring and activities in celebration of all things Grinch.

For more information, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061745701-0

Contestants can create their own gingerbread houses from scratch or may purchase a kit from Piece-A-Cake Bakery beginning on Tuesday, November 17 (limited quantities available). Gingerbread house kits will also be available as part of the Gingerbread Village event on December 5.

All entries must be made of gingerbread, must be edible and must have a base no larger than 18". Decorated houses can be dropped off beginning Tuesday, December 1 at Piece-A-Cake Bakery, 304 River Street in East Dundee, and must be received by Saturday December 5 at 2:30 pm.

Winners must be present at 319 N. River Street in East Dundee on December 5 at 3:00 pm for the final announcements. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: Recreational (under age 18) and Professional (age 18+). Decorated houses will be on display throughout the week leading up to December 6.

Besides bragging rights, prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category.

The Mansion Bed & Breakfast - 305 W Oregon

Cozy in to the Victorian elegance of the Mansion and listen while Victoria Wilbrandt reads a short version of Charles Dickens' classic tale of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, whose cold and embittered heart is warmed by the joys and rewards of love.

First United Methodist Church - 4th and Main

Enter on the west side of the church into the Fireside Room for a cup of chilli or a grilled cheese while you shop for some Christmas crafts. Items range from $1-$10.

For more information, contact the Church office at 847-426-2113.

First Congregational Church - 900 S 8th St (31)

Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties and will be sold by weight at “The Church on the Hill.” Pick your own specialty holiday cookies from the selection; there is no need to bake this Christmas! A boutique of handmade holiday items – gifts and home decor – will also be on sale.

This year’s event will be also include a Nativity Walk. Nativity sets, borrowed from congregation members, will be on display along with a bit of their history.

For further details, call the church at 847-426-2161 ext. 202 or visit their website at http://www.fccdundee.com.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church - 410 W Main St

Join the Dundee Township Historical Society for a "Dickens of a Sale", featuring new and gently used Christmas items sold at reasonable prices.

Stop in for lunch across the hall in the "Bethlehem Kitchen".

Bethlehem Lutheran Church - 410 W Main St

Cold outside? Come warm up and enjoy hot soup, sandwiches and hot cocoa, and top it all off with a sweet holiday treat at the Bake Sale. All proceeds from the luncheon will be donated to the FISH Food Pantry to assist local families in need this holiday season.

Raffle tickets will be available for $2, or 3 tickets for $5, to win a handmade quilt. Winners will be drawn on December 15.

Stop across the hall at the Historical Society's "Dickens of a Sale".

Fox River Valley Library District
Dundee Library - 555 Barrington Ave (Rte 68), East Dundee

Unravel the mystery behind this beloved story, its immortal characters and the genius that was Charles Dickens.

What events inspired the Carol to be written? Who was it written for? How did Dickens’ historical novel “single-handedly resurrect” Christmas at a time when factories were open and churches were closed on December 25th? By 1900, no other book in the world had sold more copies except the Bible.

Author Rochelle Pennington provides a factual perspective and behind-the-scenes insights into the epic influence of Dickens’ immortal characters: Ebeneezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and a trio of Christmas ghosts.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Please register at www.frvpld.info or call (847) 428-3661, press 3.

Throughout East and West Dundee

Residents of East and West Dundee are invited to compete in an outdoor decorating contest in conjunction with Dickens in Dundee. The award categories have been amended this year to keep it fun and fresh - They are as follows:

Best Nostalgic Display (think Norman Rockwell)
Best Use of Lighting
Best Clark Griswold (excessive lights & decorations)
Reason for the Season (religious displays)
Inside Out (indoor display visible from the street)
Best Decorated Business
Best Decorated Block *

Register your house, block or business by Tuesday, December 1, 2015 by sending an email to decorating4dickens@gmail.com. If you do not have email access, stop by Village Hall (East or West Dundee) or The Depot to enter. Entries must include your name, address of the property, contact information and which category you would like to compete in.

*For the Best Decorated Block, only one resident needs to enter in this category for the block to be considered. Encourage your neighbors to go all out, or coordinate on a theme.

Houses will be photographed for judging on Saturday, December 5 between 6:00 & 9:00 pm. (Be sure the turn the lights on!) Photos of participating homes will be posted online, where the public will vote for the winners in each category. Stay tuned to www.dickensindundee.org for voting details and link.

Voting is now live! Please visit the Dickens in Dundee Facebook Event page. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view the entries. If you are unable to vote directly on Facebook, please email your vote(s) to decorating4dickens@gmail.com. Please include the category number and/or category name along with the entry number in the category for which you would like to submit a vote.

Winners will be notified and posted online. Besides bragging rights, prizes include, but are not limited to, a customizable Riverwalk Brick and a beautiful photo of your winning entry by West Dundee photographer Cindy Kennedy.

Send your letter to Santa via Santa Express! Letters to Santa can be dropped into the Santa Express Mailbox at Around The Corner Candy through Christmas Eve.