Elfin' Around the Depot 2026: Berwyn's Merriest Holiday Pub Crawl Returns December 5!
Holiday costumes, hidden elves, festive drinks, trolley rides, and a whole lot of Christmas cheer are taking over Berwyn's Historic Depot District.
Santa has his workshop. Berwyn has the Depot District. And on December 5, things are about to get a little elfed up.
The annual Elfin' Around the Depot Holiday Pub Crawl returns Saturday, December 5, 2026, bringing a night of festive fun, neighborhood adventures, holiday costumes, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass.
Grab your friends, dust off that ugly Christmas sweater, or go all-in with an elf costume. Whether you're channeling Buddy the Elf, the Grinch, or Santa himself, this is one holiday tradition that doesn't take itself too seriously.
And at just $15 per person, it's one of the most affordable holiday nights out in the western suburbs.
🎄 Elfin' Around the Depot 2026: Event Details
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Berwyn's Historic Depot District
Check-in: Lavergne's Tavern, 6546 Windsor Avenue
Admission: $15 per person
Ages: 21 and over
Bonus: Register by November 20 to receive an event T-shirt!
🍻 How Does Elfin' Around the Depot Work?
Think of it as a holiday party spread across an entire neighborhood.
Instead of spending the evening in one bar, participants visit local Depot District businesses, enjoy exclusive food and drink specials, and complete festive challenges along the way.
And because no proper elf adventure would be complete without a little mischief, there will be hidden elves to discover throughout the neighborhood.
Your $15 registration includes access to the holiday crawl activities, participating businesses' drink specials, trolley transportation, and event goodies.
Food and drinks are available for purchase separately.
🎅 The Official 2026 Schedule
4:00–5:00 PM | Welcome Celebration at Lavergne's Tavern
Start your evening at Lavergne's Tavern, 6546 Windsor Avenue.
Check in, meet up with your friends, admire the questionable fashion choices, and prepare for an evening of holiday shenanigans.
Can't make it right at 4? Check-in remains available until 7:00 PM.
5:00–9:00 PM | Explore the Depot District
The main event begins!
Make your way through participating neighborhood businesses, enjoy festive food and drink specials, search for hidden elves, and participate in holiday challenges.
There will even be a trolley available to help you make your way around the festivities.
Whether you visit every stop or settle into a few favorites, the evening is all about enjoying Berwyn's local businesses and having a great time with friends.
9:00–10:00 PM | Official After-Party at The Garage
End your holiday adventure at The Garage Smokehouse & Bar for the official after-party.
Expect more holiday cheer, prizes, and special goodies as everyone gathers to celebrate the evening.
And yes, you can absolutely keep wearing the elf hat.
🧝 Dress Like You Mean It
This is not the night to play it safe with your wardrobe.
Break out the ugly Christmas sweaters, elf ears, Santa suits, reindeer antlers, Christmas pajamas, or whatever festive creation you've been waiting all year to unleash.
Past celebrations have featured costume competitions, and holiday attire is a big part of the fun.
Our advice? Get your group together, pick a theme, and commit. A pack of wandering elves is much more entertaining than one lonely elf.
🎁 Register Early and Get a Free T-Shirt
Here's a little extra incentive to plan ahead.
Register by Friday, November 20, 2026, to receive an event T-shirt with your registration.
Admission is only $15 per person, making this a great excuse to gather your coworkers, neighbors, or friends for a holiday night out.
Don't wait until December to organize your crew!
❤️ Celebrate the Holidays and Support Berwyn Businesses
One of the best things about Elfin' Around the Depot isn't just the costumes, drinks, or hidden elves.
It's the neighborhood.
Berwyn's Historic Depot District is filled with independently owned restaurants, bars, and businesses that give the community its personality. Events like this introduce visitors to local establishments they might otherwise overlook.
Maybe you'll discover a new favorite cocktail spot, a restaurant worth returning to for dinner, or simply make a few new friends along the way.
Every stop is another opportunity to support the people and businesses that make Berwyn special.
🚆 Getting to the Depot District
Berwyn's Historic Depot District is easily accessible from Chicago and the western suburbs.
The neighborhood is served by Metra's BNSF line, and street and public parking options are available nearby.
Because this is a pub crawl, consider taking Metra, using a rideshare service, or arranging a designated driver.
The trolley is included with registration for getting around during the event.
🎄 Make It a Berwyn Holiday Tradition
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays around Chicagoland, but few combine neighborhood charm, local businesses, goofy costumes, and a scavenger hunt quite like Elfin' Around the Depot.
Whether you're a longtime Berwyn resident or visiting from Oak Park, Riverside, Brookfield, Forest Park, or Chicago, this is a great excuse to explore one of the area's most entertaining neighborhoods.
Saturday, December 5. Grab your friends. Dress ridiculously. Support local.
And whatever you do, don't forget to look for the elves.
📬 Discover More With the Berwyn Insider
Love discovering local events, hidden gems, restaurants, festivals, and things to do around Chicagoland?
Subscribe to the Berwyn Insider, our free newsletter featuring upcoming events and local discoveries throughout Berwyn, Chicago, and the western suburbs.
No spam. Just great places, fun events, and reasons to get out and explore.
Live Here. Explore Everywhere.
Discover Berwyn is an independent community guide. Event information is provided by the Berwyn Development Corporation and is subject to change.
