Press Release for St. Nick’s Fest 2024

Welcome the Holiday Season with St. Nick’s Fest!

Christmas Trees, Greenery, Craft Fair, Bakery Booth, Mexican Food, 

Visit from “Bishop Nicholas”

St. John XXIII Parish (St. Nicholas Church Campus)

806 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL

Friday, December 6, 6:30 PM – 8 PM (A Visit from “Bishop Nicholas” & Tree Lighting Ceremony)

Saturday, December 7, 8 AM - 4 PM (Craft Fair, Tree and Greenery Sale)

Sunday, December 8, 9:30 AM - 3 PM (Craft Fair, Tree and Greenery Sale)

For more information, visit St. Nick's Fest 2024

At St. John XXIII Parish (a united parish of St. Nicholas Church and St. Mary Church), we celebrate one of our patron saints with a full weekend event for the whole community on the first weekend of December each year. 

This year, St. Nick’s Fest will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 6- 8. The church grounds turn into a wonderland of Christmas Trees, Greenery, Crafts, Mexican Food, Bakery Goods, and more. 

Start the weekend with a Visit from “Bishop Nicholas” and Tree Lighting Ceremony in St. Nicholas Church on Friday evening. “St. Nicholas” himself will tell stories to children and families of the real Bishop Nicholas. After the stories, those gathered will sing and process outside to light the parish Christmas tree on Ridge Ave. All the children will receive a small gift from “Bishop Nicholas”. 

On Saturday and Sunday, the Craft Fair offers a great opportunity to purchase beautiful, unique gifts for adults and children. Over 70 crafters will have wares in two buildings, selling quality gift items: jewelry, knitwear, wooden bowls, pottery, handcrafted coffee, tableware, ornaments, and much more. All crafts are local and homemade. Delicious Mexican food, hot drinks, and more will be available for shoppers. And our famous Bakery Booth will offer fresh baked items to take home for holiday entertaining. 

A forest of over 500 trees and fresh greenery will arrive for Saturday and Sunday’s Christmas Tree and Greenery Sale! Fraser and Balsam trees are fresh and fragrant, cut only days before they arrive. And the greenery (wreaths, roping, poinsettias) is fresh from Anton’s Greenhouses in Pleasant Prairie, WI.  Trees and Greenery can be ordered ahead or purchased directly on the church grounds. 

St. John XXIII Parish (St. Nicholas Campus), 806 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 

(Parking in church lot between Washington St. & Madison St., and nearby side streets.)

More information and orders at: www.stjohn23evanston.org OR call 847-864-1185