November is a fun month in the Stateline with families beginning to gear up for Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa season! There are quite a few ways to welcome the holiday season this month. Make your plans to enjoy November with some of these awesome events and exciting news for families in the Stateline.
Exciting News and Business Openings
Crumbl Cookies is set to open on November 10th at 6170 E. State Street in Rockford. It is one of the most popular cookie shops in the US and joins Dirty Dough as the second cookie shop that Rockford got this Fall.
Rockton welcomes two new stores on Main Street this month. Inkwell Books and Threads (106A W. Main Street) will have a selection of books and clothing and will host monthly book clubs. Ric-Rac Embellishments (109 W. Main Street) offers gifts, home decor, and cute clothing.
Christmas at the Farm
The area’s first and biggest Christmas market is happening again this year at Meyer’s Tails Up Farm in Belvidere on November 3rd and 4th. Christmas at the Farm offers more than 35+ vendors with booths of vintage Christmas decorations, candles, soaps, gifts, home decor, and much more. There will also be entertainment, live music, and beverages for sale. Admission to the event is $7 per person and free for kids 12 and under.
Holiday Tree Lighting at Edgebrook
Welcome the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting at Edgebrook (1639 N. Alpine) in Rockford on November 17th from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. This cozy event features high school choirs singing carols and a tree lighting. It is free to attend. You can also watch the event on WIFR 23 live.
Light Up the Parks Holiday Parade
The Light Up the Parks parade is a Loves Park and Machesney Park tradition! On November 19th at 5:30 pm, the parade kicks off with a tree lighting by the mayor at Loves Park City Hall followed by a fireworks display. The parade then starts at 5:45 pm and heads to Machesney Park Town Center where the mayor lights a second tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Town Center to take letters and say hello.
Downtown Beloit Lighted Holiday Parade
Beloit lights up the night again this holiday season with their Downtown Grand Lighted Parade on November 24th at 5 pm. This event has live music, Santa’s arrival, a lighted parade through the downtown streets of Beloit, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Walnut Creek Awards, and more! This year there will also be fireworks at ABC Supply Stadium.
Stroll on State
Rockford is holding their annual holiday celebration Stroll on State on Saturday, November 25th throughout downtown Rockford. The event is a full day of (mostly) free fun kicking off with a parade at 2 pm and running through 9 pm with various events. The event is always held on Small Business Saturday. Activities at the end include a 5K run, tree lighting, fireworks, shopping, horse and wagon rides, letters to Santa, movie land, and much more. Get all of the details here.
Family-Friendly Live Shows & Concerts
There are some fantastic family-friendly shows happening in the Stateline in November! Here’s a list of what you can go see!
- November 1: The Book of Life at Woodstock Opera House
- November 2: Jesus Christ Superstar at Coronado Performing Arts Center
- November 17 – December 3: White Christmas at Woodstock Opera House
- November 17 – 19: CYT Chicago Presents Disney’s The Lion King Jr. at Hononegah Community High School
- November 17 – 19: Willy Wonka Jr. at Central Christian Church in Beloit
- November 19: The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Coronado Performing Arts Center
- November 25: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at Coronado Performing Arts Center
Christmas Tree Farms Opening
Most of the area Christmas tree farms are opening the weekend after Thanksgiving with the exception of Williams Tree Farm opening on November 11th. You can view a list of the area’s Christmas tree farms as well as the places where you can pick up a pre-cut tree.
Christmas Town at Summerfield Zoo
Summerfield Zoo welcomes back their Christmas Town beginning on November 11th. This event has live reindeer, Santa, elves, and more. Christmas Town is open on Fridays from November 24 – December 15 and weekends from November 11 – December 23. Tickets are $16 per person and kids 1 and under get in free. Reservations are required to attend. You can reserve tickets here.
Holiday Craft Fairs and Markets
There are many crafts fairs and holiday markets happening in November in the Stateline. You can view a list of the markets here. Coming Soon!
Santa at CherryVale Mall
Santa will be coming back to CherryVale Mall in Rockford on November 17th! You can reserve a spot to see him here. You can meet with Santa for free, but photos with your phone are not allowed. Photo packages start at $39+.
Kids Adventure Day at NATC
Kids ages 7 and up can enjoy a day of learning and exploring outdoors at Nature in the Confluence (306 Dickop Street) in South Beloit on November 22nd from 10 am – 1 pm. There will be a history hike with metal detectors, fire starting, roasting S’Mores, and games. Each child’s admission is $13. Register your kids here.
Downtown Rockton Gets Swifty
On November 25, families can celebrate shopping small and local by making Rockton Roadies bracelets at local shops in downtown Rockton. Pick up a starter kit at DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee as early as 9 am and then stop by local places to get beads to make your bracelet. Get more information about the event here.
Get Outside and Play
Visit one of the Stateline’s local playgrounds before the snow flies. You can see a list of Playground Profiles organized by city here. If it’s too cold to go outside, you can find a list of places to play indoors here.
Have a nice November!
