Charming downtown Antioch is the perfect place to enjoy the holidays. Horse drawn carriage rides are free every Saturday with a $25 sales receipt from a downtown merchant. Santa's Enchanted Castle is open daily through December 23rd and visits are free. Santa will lead the annual Holiday Parade on November 27th, which will also feature the official Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Rediscover Long Grove Historic Village this holiday season as the festivities include weekend carolers, a visit with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides and much more. Know for its eclectic mix of fine art, entertainment, shopping and fantastic dining, Long Grove provides yesterday's charm for today's lifestyles. Stroll cobblestone paths that connect more than 70 boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

Ride the free Holly Trolley along the vintage streetscape of downtown Zion during the annual Festival of Lights. Stroll the festive paths at Kringle's Kingdom, stopping to peek inside unique display boxes, many animated with characters larger than life, nestled among 450 lighted evergreen trees. Take a tour of the elegant 25 room historic Shiloh House, which is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

The Winter Wonderland Express arrives at the Chicago Botanic Garden and features 10,000 square feet of miniature trains running over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Outside, 750,000 white lights sparkle and create a magical sight throughout the Garden. The annual Reindog parade is a parade for pups dressed in holiday costumes and led by Santa.