News

Allerton to hold Holiday Opening Weekend to kick off holiday season

Allerton to hold Holiday Opening Weekend to kick off holiday season

Photo: Metro Services


MONTICELLO, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Allerton Park & Retreat Center is hosting its Holiday Opening Weekend, holding a variety of festive fun happening from Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7.

It’s not too late to get out to Allerton today, but if you’re not able to make it on the first day of festivities, there’s still two more days of holiday celebration at the park.

Shop from local vendors, stroll through the illuminated gardens and woodlands, enjoy special musical entertainment, linger over food and drink, bundle up on a picturesque carriage ride, stay overnight in the historic Mansion, and more!

Registration for each day is $10 per person (12 and under free), and you can register here.

Friday, December 5, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Holiday Showcase (Mansion), Natural Ornament-Making Workshop (Mansion Carriage House), Holiday GLOW (outdoors), Food Trucks (Gatehouse Lawn), Bar (Mansion + Gatehouse Lawn)

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Greenhouse Café open with a limited menu, wine tasting and additional vendors

5:30 – 8:00 p.m.: Monticello High School Madrigal Singers (Mansion Courtyard)

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Quest Church Handbell Choir (Brick Wall Garden, 20-30 minute performances at 7, 8 & 9 p.m.)

Saturday, December 6, 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Carriage Rides (Mansion Courtyard, additional cost and reservations required)

12:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Holiday Showcase (Mansion), Greenhouse Café open (limited menu and additional vendors), Bar (Mansion Solarium

12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., or 5:00 p.m.: Luncheon (Mansion Carriage House; additional cost and reservations required)

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Piano/violin holiday music by LeeAnn Capace and Judy Deverell (Mansion Gallery)

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Holiday GLOW (outdoors), Food Trucks + Bar (Gatehouse Lawn)

Sunday, December 7, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.*

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Carriage Rides (Mansion Courtyard, additional cost and reservations required)

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Holiday Showcase (Mansion), Greenhouse Café open (limited menu and additional vendors), Bar (Mansion Solarium)

12:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.: Afternoon Tea (Mansion Carriage House; additional cost and reservations required)

*Sunday’s Holiday GLOW is not included in Opening Weekend but will begin Sunday evening at 5 p.m. with a cost of $10/vehicle.


For more information, visit Allerton Park & Retreat Center’s Holiday Opening Weekend page.

Recent Headlines

3 days ago in Sports, Trending

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles win their second NFC East title in a row by beating the Commanders 29-18

As the percussive horns of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" filled the air, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni — wearing a black T-shirt bearing the words, "Been there, won that" — made the rounds in the locker room, offering hand clasps and back slaps to his players after they accomplished something that hadn't happened in two decades: win a second consecutive NFC East title.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ launches with $88M domestically, $345M worldwide

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, an ill-timed KissCam … and whatever ‘6-7’ means

From the inexplicable to the familiar, here's our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane.

6 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Judge nixes conviction of one of two men found guilty of killing Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

A judge Friday voided the conviction of one of the two men found guilty of the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C. star Jam Master Jay, ruling that there wasn't enough evidence that the man had a motive to kill the hip-hop luminary.

6 days ago in Entertainment

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt welcome their ‘perfect angel girl’

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt have announced the birth of their "perfect angel girl." They took to Instagram on Thursday to herald the Dec. 12 birth of Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, accompanied by several photos of the couple cradling and caring for their newborn.