The Village’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requires buildings over 10,000 square feet to report water and energy use. This is an important strategy in the Village’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support building owners and organizations in energy efficiency and electrification. Benchmarking reports are due Dec. 31, 2025. If you need assistance in meeting the requirements of this important ordinance, the Village has the following help available:

• Schedule one-on-one technical assistance with village staff at this link. 
• Find more information, including a step-by-step guide, through the Village's Benchmarking Help Desk.

Holiday shopping in Oak Park will be made even easier with free parking. Beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 28 and continuing every Saturday from Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, free parking will be available in the three Village-operated public garages and for two hours at pay-by-plate parking spaces downtown and near south Oak Park Avenue. Parking is always free on Sundays throughout the year. Village officials hope this gesture helps both customers and the local businesses they support. For more information about parking in the Village, email parking@oak-park.us or visit www.oak-park.us/parking.

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in one of Oak Park’s fabulous districts during the Hemingway District Oak Park’s Shop Small + Tree Lighting Celebration! From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 the businesses near Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street will be offering special promotions and tasty treats. The event also includes character photos, letters to Santa and a tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. at Scoville Square, 137 N. Oak Park Ave. 

A favorite Oak Park tradition is on Saturday, Dec. 6 in Downtown Oak Park. Winterfest is from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Lake & Marion streets. Enjoy tasty cookie treats while watching performances and perusing local stores! Click here for more information.

A Santa sighting is expected during the Home for the Holidays event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 in the vicinity of Lake Street & Marion Street. Get into the holiday spirit by taking a ride on a horse-drawn carriage and enjoying a free cup of hot cocoa in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season. More information is on the Downtown Oak Park website.

Step into a festive afternoon of creativity and community at the Art & Wine Walk in Oak Park’s charming Arts District from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Harrison Street will come alive as local galleries, boutiques and studios will throw open their doors for a stroll filled with fine wine, art and holiday magic. Ticket holders can sip curated tastings from Anfora Wine Merchants, nibble on delicious small bites and wander through a dozen or more stops featuring everything from jewelry and paintings to handcrafted décor. Along the way, participants can enjoy live music, shop for thoughtful gifts and soak in the warm, welcoming spirit of this historic neighborhood.

What makes it even more special? Oak Park has been celebrated by the Chicago Tribune as one of the area’s top wine destinations — a recognition that makes this event feel especially fitting. Each guest gets a keepsake wine glass, tote and a bottle of wine to pick up later — because supporting local never tasted so good.

The Oak Park Area Arts Council is hosting its first-ever Cozy On Up Artisan Market the first two weekends of December in the Oak Park Arts District Business Association . The market will feature artists, vendors, live performances and free hot cocoa at 217 Harrison St. There will be different vendors each weekend, so stop by both weekends for the best market experience. Shoppers will be able to find artwork, crocheted items, knitwear, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, pottery, clothing, woodworks, stained glass, leather and other artisanal and handcrafted goods.

On Nov. 29, American Express — in partnership with Main Street America — is launching its new Amex Shop Small Grants Program. They're giving away 250 grants of $20,000 each (a total of $5 million) to eligible U.S. small businesses to help them grow, innovate and support their communities. Also on Nov. 29, for every purchase made with an eligible Amex card at a qualifying small business, Amex will donate an additional $1 to fund more grants. More information about the program and eligibility is available here.