All Aboard the HOLLY TROLLEY!

The Explore Elmhurst Express Trolley is back for the holidays!

The City of Elmhurst is excited to announce the Explore Elmhurst Trolley is back for the holiday edition “Holly Trolley” on Saturdays through December 17 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The trolley will follow the same route as the summer trolley program.

Hop-on-board for some holiday fun! While onboard, riders will receive a guide to special offers from businesses in town and have a chance to enter-to-win prizes!

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Dashing Through Elmhurst

It’s time to dash through Elmhurst this holiday season with our new shop local campaign! Find our “Dashing through Elmhurst” reindeer around town, spend money at a nearby business, and then submit a photo of your receipt for a chance to win! Businesses offering a special during this time will have a flyer posted in their window. Every time you show your support by shopping local this holiday season you will also have a chance to win an Elmhurst Loves Local gift basket. Proof of purchases includes a merchant receipt with the purchase date. Winners will be announced weekly through December 17th.

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Holiday Light Recycling

Have your holiday lights lost their twinkle? The City of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst Park District are partnering with Elgin Recycling for their annual holiday lights recycling 

program with a goal of recycling over 100,000 pounds of holiday lights. Instead of 

sending old lights to the landfill, drop them off in one of our four containers around town. 

Drop-offs are located at Courts Plus (186 S. West Ave.), the Elmhurst Park District Administrative Office (375 W. First St.), Wagner Community Center (615 N. West Ave.), or City Hall (209 N. York St.) through Tuesday, January 17, 2023 (look for the bins with the “Holiday Lights” signage). Items that will be accepted include mini-lights, traditional lights, extension cords, rope lights, and LED lights in both working and non-working condition. Call Mickey Boyle at (630) 993-8941 or email MBoyle@epd.org with any questions.

Toys for Tots Collection

The Elmhurst Fire Department will be collecting toys this holiday season for Toys for Tots. You can drop off new, unwrapped toys to Elmhurst City Hall (209 N. York St.), Fire Station 1 (404 N. York St.) and Fire Station 2 (605 S. York St.) November 10 - December 10.

Mitten Tree Collection

Help kids, teens and adults stay warm this winter by donating gloves, mittens, scarves and socks to our Mitten Tree. Fasten your donations on the Christmas tree in the center foyer of City Hall (209 N. York St.). Clothes pins are in the basket at the Fire Department Administration counter. Mittens, socks, scarves and gloves will be distributed by the Yorkfield Food Pantry in Elmhurst. The Mitten Tree will accept donations until December 31st.

Keep the Wreath Red

This holiday fire safety program is designed to increase fire safety  awareness. A holiday wreath will hang on the outside of both fire stations. In the event of a holiday-related fire, firefighters will replace one of the red bulbs with a white one. The goal is to keep the bulbs on that wreath red by minimizing household fires. Fire safety reminders for a safe holiday season include keeping live Christmas trees watered, making sure all illuminated 

decorations, and your fireplace are in good condition, using candles with caution, not overloading extension cords or outlets with excessive holiday lights, and making sure smoke detectors work.

Prevent Package Theft

During the holidays there are more opportunities for packages to be stolen. Follow the Elmhurst Police Department’s tips to prevent package theft:

• When making a purchase online, choose a specific delivery time if the retailer provides the option. If purchasing from a large retailer, consider having it delivered for pick-up at one of their local stores.

• If the package is being delivered to your home, take advantage of delivery alerts so you can be notified when the package arrives. Ask a trusted neighbor to take your package inside if you are unavailable to accept the delivery yourself.

• When possible, request the delivery company to hold your package at their closest pick-up facility until you can pick it up. You can also ask the shipper to require a signature confirmation of delivery to prevent packages being left when no one is home to sign. It can be helpful to provide delivery instructions so packages can be left out of sight from the front yard/road.



• Take advantage of delivery options and be vigilant in your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity to the Elmhurst Police Department.

Elmhurst Fire Department Noon Years Eve Bash!

Saturday, December 31, 2022 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Ball Drop at 12 p.m. (noon)

Ring in the new year without keeping your kids up past bedtime! Join the Elmhurst Fire Department for their Noon Year’s Eve Bash at Elmhurst Fire Station 2 (605 S. York St.)! 

Families can enjoy kid-friendly New Year’s festivities and activities without the midnight 

meltdown. Ring in 2023 with live music, dancing, bonfire with s'mores, family photo booth, hot chocolate, a ball drop from our ladder tower at noon, and more!

Details at elmhurst.org/noonyearsevebash.