Visitors to the inaugural Christmas at Cantigny celebration will be in for a special holiday treat, including McCormick House walk-throughs, ice skating, and dazzling light installations. The festive fun will begin December 1.
The newly-renovated McCormick House in Wheaton will be open to the public for the first time since 2020. Robert R. McCormick’s iconic home is the festival’s glittering centerpiece. Guests can stroll through historic spaces, including Freedom Hall, the home’s showplace library, where a spectacular 20-foot Christmas tree awaits.
“We look forward to welcoming guests, just as Colonel McCormick did during the holidays many years ago,” said Matt LaFond, Cantigny executive director. “McCormick House was the final phase of our Project New Leaf renovations, and we know people are eager to step back inside. The mansion has never looked better.”
Hundreds of fresh poinsettias from Cantigny’s own greenhouse will be displayed throughout the home. Plants are available via online pre-sale beginning November 15, and inside the Cantigny Visitors Center during the festival (while supplies last).
Outside, a 100-by-40-foot ice rink will add some wintery magic to the scene. Skaters can rent blades or bring their own. Spectators and skaters taking a break can enjoy a warm holiday treat in the heated hospitality tent overlooking the rink. Visitors can also reserve a private “Cocoa Cabana,” perfect for families and friend groups.
Cantigny’s gardens and grounds will provide the festival’s razzle dazzle, with wide accessible pathways leading visitors through creative lighting displays accompanied by holiday music—a festive stroll offering surprise and delight for all ages.
For additional details and ticketing, visit Cantigny.org.
— Cantigny Park