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 Message from Mayor Goczkowski
Temperatures are dropping, and the holiday season is just around the corner! Winter brings some of our favorite traditions back to Des Plaines, along with a few new ways to celebrate.
The City's $1 Movie Series, in partnership with the Des Plaines Theatre, has a festive lineup in store, featuring two holiday classics and two of 2026's biggest hits. The fun kicks off on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with an 11 a.m. showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). You can find the full movie lineup below.
Two returning favorites are set for the first weekend in December. Join us for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4, at Metropolitan Square, where you can enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, activities hosted by local organizations and, of course, Santa's arrival. Then, head to the Winter Fair at the Des Plaines Public Library on Saturday, December 5, for a day of seasonal activities, family fun, and opportunities to support local vendors.
As we look ahead to the holiday season, I also want to recognize the many residents who helped make a difference this fall. From giving pumpkins a second life through composting to safely disposing of prescription medications and recycling sensitive documents, residents came together to support a cleaner, greener Des Plaines. Read more about the results of these efforts below!
Please remember that non-essential City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you enjoy your time celebrating with friends and family.
In the meantime, please share this e-news with your family, friends, and neighbors, and encourage them to subscribe. If I can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at 847-391-5301 or agoczkowski@desplainesil.gov.
Yours in service,
Andrew Goczkowski
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City Council Preview
City Council will meet on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. During the meeting, the Community Development committee will consider measures to advance key parts of the Cambridge Athletic and Social Club project at 300 Northwest Highway, the former YMCA site. Several other items of note from the agenda include:
- Proclamation recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 6 in Des Plaines
- Fire Department Appointments and Promotions Ceremony
Visit the City’s website to access City Council agendas, meeting packets, and minutes. You can also watch meetings live or view past meeting recordings.
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Let It Glow: Holiday Tree Lighting Set for December 4
Friday, December 4 | 4 p.m to 6:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Square
Get ready to light up the night at the City of Des Plaines' annual Holiday Tree Lighting! Join us in Metropolitan Square from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4, for an evening of holiday fun.
Enjoy live entertainment, visits with Santa and the Grinch, and holiday trees decorated by local community groups. Kids can drop off their letters to the North Pole in our special mailbox, while the Des Plaines History Center will hold a roasted chestnut demonstration.
Have a creative name for one of the City's snowplows? Stop by and submit your idea for the 2026 Name A Snowplow contest. Your suggestion could join 2025 winner Scoop Dogg in the City of Des Plaines fleet.
You can give back to the community by bringing new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves of all sizes for our mitten tree. We're also collecting nonperishable food donations for the Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry. A list of most-needed items is available on their website.
For more information, visit desplainesil.gov/holidaylighting.
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Shop Local: 5th Annual Winter Fair on December 5
Saturday, December 5 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Des Plaines Public Library
Get a head start on holiday shopping at the fifth annual Winter Fair! Join us at the Des Plaines Public Library (1501 Ellinwood Street) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 5 to shop your way through the indoor artisan market featuring local makers.
NEW FOR 2026: The market has expanded this year. In addition to shopping in the first-floor meeting rooms, additional vendors will be located in the fourth-floor Forum space.
This event also features historic trolley tours guided by the Des Plaines History Center. Registration is currently full; you can join the waitlist by visiting our website at desplainesil.gov/winterfair.
Visitors will also have another chance to drop off letters to the North Pole at our special mailbox and submit name ideas for the Name A Snowplow contest. You can also bring new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for the mitten tree or nonperishable food donations for the Self- Help Closet and Pantry.
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$1 Film Series: Holiday Favorites
and 2026 Hits
Who's ready for a little movie magic? The City of Des Plaines and Des Plaines Theatre's joint $1 Film Series continues this winter with four movies across three dates. The lineup features a pair of holiday favorites, along with two of 2026's biggest box-office hits.
The next round of screenings kicks off Saturday, November 28, at 11 a.m. with How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Watch everyone's favorite green grump as he discovers that Christmas means a whole lot more than presents and decorations.
Other upcoming showtimes include:
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Elf — Saturday, December 5, at 11 a.m.
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Toy Story 5 — Tuesday, December 29, at 11 a.m.
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Tuesday, December 29, at 7 p.m.
Whether you're revisiting a holiday favorite or catching one of this year's biggest hits, you can't beat a movie for just $1! All screenings take place at the Des Plaines Theatre (1476 Miner Street).
Visit desplainesil.gov/movies for more information.
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Thanksgiving Office Closures
City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday, and on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Essential services such as police and fire will remain fully operational.
Refuse collection will be delayed by one day due to the holiday schedule.
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ICYMI: Fall Sustainability in Des Plaines
This fall, the City has hosted several events to promote sustainability and safe disposal, including Community Shred Event and DEA Drug Take Back Day on October 24 and the annual Pumpkin Smash on November 7.
Here's a look at the impact of these efforts:
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1,413 pounds of compost were collected at the annual Pumpkin Smash (the equivalent to saving 67 gallons of gas)
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53 pounds of prescription medication were collected for safe disposal during DEA Take Back Day
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6,000 pounds of recyclable materials were collected and sustainably discarded at the Community Shred Event
Thank you to the City staff who helped organize these events and the community members who participated. Your efforts help make Des Plaines a greener, more sustainable place to live!
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Upcoming Meetings and Reminders
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11/16 - Regular City Council Meeting | 7 p.m. at City Hall
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11/26 - Thanksgiving | City Offices Closed
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11/27 - Day after Thanksgiving | City Offices Closed
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11/28 - $1 Movie: How The Grinch Stole Christmas | 11 a.m. at Des Plaines Theatre
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12/04 - Holiday Tree Lighting | 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Square
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12/05 - $1 Movie: Elf | 11 a.m. at Des Plaines Theatre
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12/05 - Winter Fair | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Des Plaines Public Library
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12/07 - Regular City Council Meeting | 7 p.m. at City Hall
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City of Des Plaines
Phone 847.391.5300 |
1420 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016 |
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