Chicagoland Holiday Lights, Thanksgiving Fun & Local Favorites!
November ISSUE #3 • 2026
The Discover Berwyn Insider
Live Here. Explore Everywhere.
November has arrived, and Chicagoland is gearing up for one of the most wonderful times of the year!
From spectacular holiday light displays and festive markets to Thanksgiving traditions, live entertainment, and great local restaurants, there's plenty to explore.
In this edition of the Discover Berwyn Insider, we're kicking things off with our 2026 Chicagoland Holiday Lights Guide, plus upcoming events, neighborhood discoveries, and a chance to win five Chicago Bears tickets!
We're also inviting you to join us for A Night Out in Berwyn on November 19, where we'll be gathering with friends and neighbors while collecting donations for our annual holiday food drive.
Know a great local business, upcoming event, or hidden gem? We'd love to hear about it!
Thanks for being part of our growing community. Here's to making new memories and discovering more of what makes our corner of Chicagoland so special.
Live Here. Explore Everywhere.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT BRIGHTER!
Chicagoland Holiday Lights 2026: Let the Magic Begin!
Chicagoland Holiday Lights guide
Millions of twinkling lights, illuminated gardens, festive train rides, and dazzling holiday displays are coming to Chicago and the suburbs!
From the spectacular Illumination at Morton Arboretum and Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden to Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic and Chicago's beloved ZooLights, we've rounded up some of the best places to experience the season.
Whether you're planning a romantic evening, a family adventure, or a holiday outing with friends, our 2026 Chicagoland Holiday Lights Guide has the dates, locations, and details to help you plan.
November EVENTS
What’s Happening Around the Burbs
November brings live music, holiday traditions, family adventures, and plenty of reasons to get out and explore! From Berwyn and our neighboring suburbs to downtown Chicago, we've rounded up some great events to help you make the most of the month.
FitzGerald's Nightclub — The Last Waltz
The Zimmermen perform The Last Waltz, celebrating The Band's legendary 1976 Thanksgiving farewell concert. Two nights of live music, right here in Berwyn.
November 25th & 27th • FitzGerald's Berwyn IL
Riverside Magic & Mingle
World-renowned magician Bill Cook brings a 70-minute interactive magic show to the historic Riverside Train Station. It's a BYOB evening with time to socialize. Registration required, with limited space.
November 14th, 2026 • Riverside Train Station
Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade
Chicago's 92nd annual Thanksgiving Parade brings enormous balloons, marching bands, colorful floats, and live performances to State Street. A great family tradition before Thanksgiving dinner.
Thursday, November 26, 2026 • 7:45–10 AM State Street, from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street, Chicago
November Is Packed With Reasons to Explore!
From Thanksgiving traditions and neighborhood celebrations to holiday markets, live entertainment, and family adventures, there's plenty happening throughout Chicagoland this month!
Whether you're staying close to home or exploring somewhere new, discover what's coming up in Berwyn, the near-west suburbs, and Chicago.
Next: “Around the Near-West Burbs”
Things To Do Around Town
🍽️ EAT -SIP & SAVOR
Sendero Cantina
There's a new flavor on Madison Street! Sendero Cantina brings Oaxacan-inspired Mexican cuisine to Forest Park, taking over the former Casa Humilde brewery space.
From flavorful tacos and shareable dishes to house-brewed beer, micheladas, and creative cocktails, Sendero offers a fresh spot for date night or dinner with friends.
BOLD FLAVORS. GREAT TACOS. GOOD TIMES.
🛍️ DO - BERWYN SHOPS
Shop Berwyn Shops For The Holidays
Looking for something unique this holiday season? Skip the big-box stores and discover the Berwyn Shops!
Twelve colorful mini storefronts along Roosevelt Road showcase local entrepreneurs offering handmade goods, creative gifts, and one-of-a-kind finds.
Shopping here doesn't just help you cross names off your gift list. It supports small businesses and the people behind them!
6931 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
🚗 EXPLORE - ON THE ROAD AGAIN
On The Road Again - Oak Park Block Party
Oak Park Avenue is getting a fresh start, and the Hemingway District is throwing a block party to celebrate!
Enjoy live music, classic cars, shopping, food, and family activities as the neighborhood welcomes visitors back after months of construction.
Bring your bikes, scooters, or rollerblades and enjoy the newly paved avenue before it reopens to traffic!
November 14th, 8am-8pm
Hemingway District Oak Park
A Night Out In Berwyn
Join us for a casual evening of good food, drinks, and conversation at La Malquerida in Berwyn's Depot District! Come meet your neighbors, make new friends, and enjoy a night out.
Thursday, November 19 • 6:30–8:30 PM La Malquerida — Berwyn Depot District
🥫 It's also our Annual Holiday Food Drive! Please bring a canned good, nonperishable food item, or paper product to donate. Thank you!
Light appetizers provided by Russell Froiland Residential and Chicago Title while supplies last.
JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OUT!
A Little Thanksgiving Gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to say thank you.
Discover Berwyn started with a simple idea: celebrate the people, places, businesses, and experiences that make our communities special.
Every article you read, post you share, local business you support, and friend you introduce to the Insider helps us grow this little project into something bigger.
We're grateful to live in an area with so much to discover, and even more grateful for the people who make it special.
From our family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, laughter, and time with the people who matter most.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Paul & Michelle Discover Berwyn
Live Here. Explore Everywhere.
ABOUT DISCOVER BERWYN
Why We Created Discover Berwyn
Discover Berwyn is created by Paul Froiland & Michelle Russell, local residents and real estate agents with Russell Froiland Residential at Keller Williams ONEChicago.
We created Discover Berwyn to share the restaurants, businesses, events and places that make Berwyn, the near-west suburbs and Chicago worth exploring.
Live Here. Explore Everywhere.
Are you a local business owner? We'd love to hear from you, too. If you'd like your business featured, have an event or story we should know about, or would like to participate in an upcoming Discover Berwyn Community Coupon, reach out and say hello.
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