\nWith the holiday season just around the corner, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus are brightening communities across northern Illinois with grants to help spark joy during the winter months. Through the annual Powering the Holidays grant program, 28 municipalities and nonprofit organizations will receive awards of up to $2,500 to support local holiday light displays and events that bring communities together in festive celebrations.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHoliday lights brighten our communities and show just how vibrant their shared spirit truly is,\u201d said Melissa Washington, ComEd\u2019s senior vice president of government, regulatory and external affairs<\/b><\/a>.<\/b> \u201cComEd\u2019s commitment to northern Illinois goes beyond delivering safe and reliable power. Through grant programs like this one, ComEd helps bring our service territory to life and display the creativity, tradition and connection that make our neighborhoods so special.\u201d<\/p>\n \nLaunched in 2021, the Powering the Holidays grant program has become a tradition that celebrates local communities\u2019 seasonal creativity and culture. With this year\u2019s awards, ComEd has invested a total of more than $300,000 in over 120 communities and organizations to help spread winter cheer across a variety of public spaces.<\/p>\n \n\u201cThis program continues to show the cultural and creative depth of our communities,\u201d said Neil James, executive director of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.<\/b> \u201cEach light display is a powerful illustration of connection and collective storytelling and we\u2019re proud to help bring those ideas to life.\u201d<\/p>\n \nThis year\u2019s grants will help power events scheduled between November 1, 2026, to February 13, 2027. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, counties, townships and other local government entities within ComEd\u2019s service territory. The Powering the Holidays Grant Program is one of ComEd\u2019s four Power for Good<\/a> grant programs empowering communities across Illinois which also include The Powering Safe Communities Grant Program, the Green Region Grant Program and the Powering the Arts Grant Program.<\/p>\n \nPowering the Holidays grants will be awarded to the following communities and organizations in 2026:<\/p>\n City of Aurora (Aurora):<\/b> will celebrate the holiday season with a parade, illuminated floats, holiday characters, tree lighting, vendors and music. Additionally, the event will bring traffic to Aurora\u2019s Christkindlmarket in a celebration of heritage and holiday spirit.<\/p>\n The Pavilion Gateway (Bolingbrook): <\/b>will enhance its annual tree lighting ceremony, Festival of the Lights, Winter Walk and Mistletoe Market. It will also elevate its Village Photo Contest that encapsulates local community traditions each year.<\/p>\n Channaholidays (Channahon): <\/b>will feature holiday crafts, story time games, student performances and photos with Santa. The holiday tree lighting and surrounding neighborhood lights will showcase energy efficient LED bulbs throughout the season.<\/p>\n Christmas at Good & Plenty Garden (Chicago, Austin): <\/b>will feature a ceremonial lighting of the garden, holiday and cultural music, crafts and refreshments. The event will celebrate holiday traditions from across the world to reflect the cultural richness of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n Puerto Rican Holiday Lights Celebration (Chicago, Avondale): <\/b>will host events to celebrate the National Cuatro Festival and National Coquito Festival bringing together Puerto Rican music, food, art and holiday traditions. Both festivals celebrate Puerto Rican heritage and will include light displays and decorations.<\/p>\n Unite With Light (Chicago, Greater Grand Crossing):<\/b> will host an inaugural tree lighting event that will feature holiday music, children\u2019s activities, family photos and neighborhood resources. The event will promote meaningful community connections and a festive start to the holiday season.<\/p>\n South Halsted Holiday Lights (Chicago, West Pullman): <\/b>will celebrate their annual holiday lighting ceremony and small business marketplace. The seasonal event will bring together neighborhood residents in a beloved tradition of over 10 years.<\/p>\n Project H.O.O.D. (Chicago, Woodlawn):<\/b> will celebrate the Woodlawn Holiday Lights by gathering residents of various generations fora community tree lighting and celebration. The event will feature holiday themed refreshments and performances.<\/p>\n Cornell Holiday Lighting Initiative (Cornell): <\/b>will aim to revitalize Cornell\u2019s downtown corridor. The focus will be the \u201cSanta Gift-Giving\u201d parade that will feature local businesses and gifts that are given to community members in need.<\/p>\n Light Up The Manor (DeKalb): <\/b>will feature holiday lighting, memorial displays, decorations and entertainment at the historic Barb City Manor in DeKalb. In addition to holiday activations, the event supports various community driven funds.<\/p>\n The Village of Elburn Shines (Elburn): <\/b>will highlight recent Prairie Park upgrades by extending its Christmas Stroll pathway. The event will bring together residents to enjoy holiday activities, music, local vendors, lights and family entertainment.<\/p>\n Winter Wonderland (Elmhurst): <\/b>will celebrate its annual Winter Wonderland Lights Festival that features a sleigh ride, tree lighting ceremony, winter market, and visits with Santa. The light display illuminates Wild Meadows Trace Park with 12-15 lit trees and 41 decorated streetlights.<\/p>\n Village of Evergreen Park (Evergreen Park):<\/b> will host its annual Santa\u2019s Wonderland and Rein-Dog Parade. The event will feature trolley rides, children\u2019s activities, holiday performances and a tree lighting ceremony. The event offers opportunities for businesses and residents across the community to connect through the holiday spirit.<\/p>\n Village of Glencoe Light the Lights (Glencoe): <\/b>will gather residents to celebrate the holidays with village leaders, local businesses and community organizations. The event will feature a winter-themed photo booth, visits with holiday characters, holiday shopping and more.<\/p>\n Village of Hillside Tree Lighting (Hillside): <\/b>will host their annual Tree Lighting ceremony in partnership with the Hillside Youth Commission. The event will feature photo opportunities with Santa, hot chocolate and sleigh rides.<\/p>\n Historic Downtown Long Grove Bridge and Tree Lighting (Long Grove): <\/b>will celebrate the annual Long Grove Bridge and Tree Lighting that features local dance studio performances, gifts for children, hot cocoa and illuminated photo opportunities. The event celebrates several winter holidays as a representation of the Long Grove population.<\/p>\n Montgomery Merry and Bright (Montgomery): <\/b>will serve as a meaningful connection between the Public Works Department and the spirit of the holiday season through the brand-new Elf Work Scene lighting display. This display will help direct residents to the Village Tree Lighting and other events.<\/p>\n Grundy County Holiday Events (Morris): <\/b>will celebrate its annual Evening with Santa and various county holiday parades. Part of the celebration will also support large-scale community giving including $1,000 Christmas morning scholarships for Grundy County students who are entering public service.<\/p>\n Oak Brook Park District (Oak Brook): <\/b>will support their ongoing cherished tradition that celebrates the holiday season through themed light displays that emphasize the beauty of Oak Brook\u2019s Central Park. This year will feature a new animated LED light tunnel.<\/p>\n Village of Palos Park (Palos Park): <\/b>will feature their tree lighting and holiday market tradition once again, bringing children\u2019s activities, live entertainment and photos with Santa to community members. The festivities are one of the longest standing and most beloved traditions of the community.<\/p>\n Village of Poplar Grove (Poplar Grove): <\/b>will bring together a variety of community stakeholders and organizations through holiday traditions, charitable giving, visits with Santa and other seasonal activities. Three Christmas trees will be created, decorated by students and celebrated throughout the season.<\/p>\n Richton Township Tree Lighting (Richton Park): <\/b>will host their annual tree lighting ceremony that brings together 10 municipalities and will feature decorations, lights, music, entertainment and performances by local students. The community will donate coats to all children in attendance.<\/p>\n Rolling Meadows Holiday Celebration (Rolling Meadows):<\/b> will host its annual Holiday Celebration event. The event will be held at local Kimball Hill Park and fosters unity across the community through a tree lighting ceremony, decorations and festive activities.<\/p>\n Winter Festival Lighting (Shabbona): <\/b>will host its annual Winter Festival to bring together residents and neighboring communities. The festival will feature crafts, visits with Santa and a tree lighting ceremony. Given its rural location, this Shabbona event helps foster unity and community during the holiday season.<\/p>\n Holiday in the Grove (Sugar Grove): <\/b>will host a multi-part event that brings together the community in a tree lighting ceremony recognizing the Sugar Grove Fire Department, a holiday walk to the local public library for treats and concludes with a pancake breakfast.<\/p>\n HereWeGo! (West Chicago): <\/b>will host their first annual festival that invites residents, organizations, sponsors and local groups to decorate a tree with messages and ornaments that reflect the traditions of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n Lighting Ramadan (Wheaton): <\/b>will celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holidays and feature a holiday lighting display throughout the Mosque grounds. The event will gather residents of all backgrounds to learn about Ramadan celebrations.<\/p>\n Wheeling Park District (Wheeling): <\/b>will partner with the Wheeling Historical Society to host their annual Lollipop Lane event. The event celebrates the holiday season, local philanthropy and community giving. Attendees are encouraged to donate essential items and holiday gift support to families in need.<\/p>\n ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation\u2019s largest utility companies, serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers. ComEd <\/i>powers the lives<\/i><\/a> of more than 4.2 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state\u2019s population. For more information, visit <\/i>ComEd.com<\/i><\/a>, and connect with the company on <\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>LinkedIn<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>X<\/i><\/a> and <\/i>YouTube<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p>\n