Dickens in Dundee 2023 Schedule
This year’s Dickens in Dundee will take place on Friday, December 1st from 6-9 pm, with a Riverside parade of lights to follow at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd. All of East Dundee's activities will take place near The Depot located at 319 N. River Street and the surrounding downtown area. (See parade location information below).
Dickens in Dundee was formed in 1988. It began as a small community gathering, with caroling and the search for Tiny Tim’s crutch in local stores. With the support of local businesses, this event has grown significantly and attracts people from all over the Dundee area. The Village of East Dundee hosts a variety of activities during Dickens in Dundee such as Living Windows, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Visits with Santa, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Musical Acts, Holiday Characters and more!
Click HERE for 2023 Dickens in Dundee and Riverside Parade of Lights Video by Paul Sweigert
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
5:30 PM:
Dundee-Crown Chamber and Varsity Treble Choirs perform
5:45 PM:
Tree Lighting Ceremony by The Christmas Schooner Cast
Santa's Arrives
"Those Funny Little People" Toy Making Elves
6-8:30 PM:
Living Windows (along River St. and Main St.)
LIVING WINDOW LOCATIONS:
Are you interested in being a Living Windows "Actor"?
Please fill out a Participation Form HERE.
6-9 PM:
Visits with Santa (FREE Hot Chocolate and Cookies will be served)
Warm, adult beverages will also be available for purchase by Eastside Cafe in the white tent.
Offerings include: Mulled Wine, Red and White Wine, Irish Cream and Peanut Butter Whiskey (to add to hot cocoa)
The Frozen Robins Caroling Quartet
The Frozen Fab Four (Snow Queen, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf)
Twinkles and Sprinkles
FREE Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
In addition to street parking, there are public lots located at 311 Barrington Ave, Main St/Rt 72 next to Dairy Queen/Dundee Music and behind Duke's BBQ/the Caboose (enter onto Railroad or Hill St. from River St.) . There is also FREE event parking located at the AT&T parking lot at Jackson & Water Streets (Take River Street and turn west on Jackson St).
HANDICAPPED/ACCESSIBLE Parking will be available in front of 220 N. River St. where marked with signage.
PARADE TRAVEL TIMES: (These are approx. times based off of last year)
6:30 PM - Kicks off in West Dundee
6:45 PM - Travels down the Main St. bridge in Carpentersville
7:00 PM - Approaches East Dundee
PARKING IN EAST DUNDEE:
In addition to street parking, there are parking lots located at:
- 311 Barrington Ave (behind the building)
- Main St/Rt 72 next to Dairy Queen/Dundee Music
- Behind Duke's BBQ/the Caboose - 112 Railroad St. (enter onto Railroad or Hill St. from River St.)
- AT&T parking lot at Jackson & Water Streets (Take River Street and turn west on Jackson St)
PARKING IN CARPENTERSVILLE:
- OTTO Engineering's parking lots (2 E. Main St., C'ville) on the WEST side of the River only. Parking in these lots must be by/before 6 pm as road closures in the area begin at 6 pm.
HOT COCOA TENT:
Hot cocoa will be offered by Eastside Cafe for purchase at $2 a cup (Cash only) at the BIG WHITE TENT at the corner of Water St. and Barrington Avenue.
Also, Donations will graciously be accepted for the D300 Food Pantry. Eastside Cafe will match all donations received.
Contact Melissa Hernandez at melissa@nkcchamber.com or 847-426-8565.
If your business or organization would like to participate in the parade (FREE), please click for an application HERE.