Snømarket, Santa Hop, Holiday Pops and more: Here’s what’s happening around Rockford this week
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Christmas is coming, but before it does there’s a heap of holiday activities coming to the Rockford area.
This weekend is the annual Snømarket, a three-day annual outdoor winter tradition on the city’s North End. There’s also a Santa-themed pub hop, Rockford Symphony Orchestra‘s Holiday Pops and other concerts, several plays and other holiday activities.
More news: New Rockford antique and oddities shop celebrates the weird and creepy
Here are 18 ideas for things to do this week in Rockford. You can always peruse our events page to find more.
Shop an indoor winter market
About: Meshworks will host its indoor winter market, allowing you to shop a variety of local vendors selling everything from produce to jewelry, sustainable supplies and crafts.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13
Where: 4949 Harrison Ave., Rockford
Cost: Free entry
All Aglow
About: The outdoor gardens around the Eclipse Lagoon and Nicholas Conservatory in Sinnissippi Park are All Aglow from dusk to dawn daily until Jan. 7. There are roughly 300,000 lights on display.
Where: Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: Park closes at 10 p.m.
How much: Free
Illuminated at Anderson Japanese Gardens
About: Illuminated is Anderson Gardens’ wintertime lights experience, featuring thousands of white string lights woven throughout the 12-acre campus and canopy of the garden.
Where: 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Admission: $13 adults; $12 seniors; $11 student and military members; free for ages 5 and younger; $8 for basic members; free for premium members
A Joyful Christmas concert
About: Piano sensation Jim Brickman returns to Rockford to perform his new holiday show “A Joyful Christmas.”
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Snømarket at The Norwegian
About: The Norwegian on Rockford’s North End transforms its parking lot into a Noric fishing village for the annual three-day holiday Snømarket. Enjoy a mug of homemade glögg, hot chocolate, æbleskiver, lefse, fish on a stick and more traditional drinks and treats.
Where: The Norwegian, 1402 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Info: thenorwegian.com
Photos: Snømarket 2022 opening night at The Norwegian in Rockford
Santa Hop
About: Dress as Santa, an elf or reindeer for this holiday-themed pub crawl put on by The River District Association and Rockford Community Bank. The event kicks off at the Indoor Rockford City Market from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with music, food, drinks and prizes for the best costume. It continues at bars and restaurants in downtown.
Where: Downtown Rockford starting at Indoor City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Info: Go HERE
RSO’s Holiday Pops
About: Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday tradition will feature The Nielsen Chorale and the RSO performing old and new holiday favorites under the direction of Kevin Stites.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Tickets: Go HERE
Winter on the Farm
About: Lockwood’s Winter Holi-Neigh is a free family event with activities at Sarver’s Children’s Farm, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, games, scavenger hunts and live music.
Where: Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford
When: 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Admission: Free with paid activities
Info: Go HERE
Festival of Lights
About: Festival of Lights is an annual holiday drive-thru display featuring a 33,000-light tunnel and hundreds of thousands of lights throughout Sinnissippi Park. The display is put up by a small volunteer team with the Rockford Fourth of July Civic Committee.
Where: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St.
When: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Cost: Free. The display is funded by donations. You can donate HERE.
A Night at the North Pole
About: “A Night at the North Pole” is a special musical holiday show performed by students in Rockford University’s performing arts program.
When: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
Admission: Free
Tickets/info: wssr.org/northpole
Holiday Havoc
About: Artists’ Ensemble Theater presents “Holiday Havoc,” scenes and stories from past seasons centered around a holiday theme. There are two performances only in this pay-what-you-can event.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Where: Cheek Theatre at Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Admission: Free; pay what you can donation
Info: Go HERE
‘A Christmas Story’ musical
About: The Studio Rockford presents “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” which brings the 1983 movie to musical life on stage.
Where: Maddox Theater at Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Cost: Adults: $13 in advance or $15 at the door; children 12 and younger: $11 in advance or $13 at the door; seniors 55 and older: $11 in advance or $13 at the door.
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Hogs vs. Wild
About: The Rockford IceHogs (9-10-2-0) take on the Iowa Wild (9-11-1-1) in back-to-back home games Friday and Saturday.
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Tickets: Go HERE
North Pole to Northwest
About: Northwest Community Center will host its Breakfast with Santa. This event is free for all and will feature breakfast, free haircuts for children, activities and a photo with Santa Claus.
Where: Northwest Community Center, 1325 N. Johnston Ave., Rockford
When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Information: northwestrockford.org
Christmas concert in Roscoe
About: The annual Life Church Christmas concert features Harlan Jefferson and Sean Hayes and other local musicians. There is also cookie decorating and hot cocoa in the church lobby.
Where: Life Church Assembly of God, 5910 Elevator Road, Roscoe
When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 (doors open at 5 p.m. for hot cocoa and cookie decorating)
Info: Go HERE
Kwanzaa Celebration
About: Ethnic Heritage Museum will host a Kwanzaa Celebration that includes a live performance by the Rockford Readers Theater under the direction of Dorthy Paige Turner.
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 (performance by Rockford Readers at 2:30 p.m.)
Admission: Free
Info: Go HERE
Irish Christmas musical performance
About: The Concerts on the Creek series puts a focus on Celtic seasonal music featuring The Irish Marching Society, Danny McDade, Emerald Wind and Trinadora.
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Admission: Free; $10 donation encouraged
Info: Go HERE
Pet photos with Santa
About: Have a special photo session with Santa and your pet at CherryVale Mall. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
Where: CherryVale Mall center court, 7200 Harrison Ave., Cherry Valley
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18
Info/reservations: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
