Photo: Joliet City Center Partnership (official site, 2025 parade)
Light Up the Holidays Festival & Parade
Downtown JolietFri Nov 27; tree lighting 5 PM, parade 5:30 PMFree to attend (organizer's FAQ)
fall · NovIn season now
Thanksgiving Break in Joliet with Kids
Joliet Public Schools District 86 has no school Nov 23–27, 2026, and Joliet Township High School District 204 is off Nov 25–27. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the big day downtown: Light Up the Holidays, the city tree lighting and the parade. Many places close on Thanksgiving Day, so check before you go.
Photo: Joliet City Center Partnership (official site, 2025 parade)
Check before you go
- Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26): the Joliet Public Library and the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The library closes at 4 PM on Nov 25.
- Joliet Park District facilities (Pilcher Park Nature Center, Bird Haven Greenhouse) are closed on holidays.
- Hours and prices change, so check the official links before you go.
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Photo: Matt Watts / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Teddy Bear Tea at the Rialto
Downtown JolietFri Nov 27, 9:30 AM or 12:30 PMTickets start at $39 adults and $30 children 12 and under (additional fees may apply). A ticket is required for everyone. - 03
Photo: artistmac / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Holiday Movie: The Polar Express
Downtown JolietSat Nov 28, 7 PM$5 per ticket, box office only (not sold online). General admission seating. - 04
Photo: Immewnity / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Nutcracker (Chicago Festival Ballet)
Downtown JolietSun Nov 29, 2 PMTickets start at $51 (additional fees may apply). - 05
Photo: Joliet Park District (official site)
Inwood Ice Arena
West JolietPublic skate; Ugly Sweater Skate Sat Nov 28, 5 PMPublic skate: $6 residents / $8 non-residents; kids 5 and under $3 / $4. Skate rental $5. Intro to Skating class $12. - 06
Photo: Joliet Park District (official site)
Pilcher Park Nature Center
East JolietLittlest Elves Ceramics Nov 27–28, 9 AM–2 PMAdmission not posted. Cross-country ski rental (2 hours): adults $20, kids $10. - 07
Photo: Dough4872 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Joliet Area Historical Museum
Downtown JolietOpen daily 10 AM–4 PM except ThanksgivingAdults $10; seniors (60+) $9; full-time students with ID $7; youth 4–12 $5; ages 3 and under free. - 08
Photo: Joliet Public Library (official site)
Joliet Public Library: Ottawa Street Branch
Downtown JolietMon–Tue regular hours; Wed Nov 25 closes 4 PM; closed Nov 26Free
Dates and prices change — please confirm with each place before you go.
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Videos
Videos from local creators and organizations, shared for reference. Zippy Guide isn't affiliated with them.
Joliet Light up the Holiday 2026 PROMO — video by Joliet TV on YouTube.
Video: Joliet TV
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