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Make Memories this Christmas

3–7 p.m. Dec 10, 2022 | 2223 N Mulford Road, Rockford, IL

Christmas Traditions is a FREE family event in Rockford, Ill. From 3–7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, families can have fun, begin new holiday traditions and make memories together. No tickets or registration required.

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About Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions began as a way to help Rockford area families make memories at Christmas, and over the last several years has become a tradition of its own. Join us this year and enjoy a live Nativity, stage show, carousel, s’mores station and carnival games, reindeer petting zoo, free pictures with Santa, an indoor snowball fight, and so much more! Food and refreshments will be for sale throughout the event. And don’t forget to bring a few items for our canned food drive during the event! All donations will go to the Rock River Valley Food Pantry.

Activities

3–7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

Live-Nativity-2021
  • Photos with Santa (printed on-site for you to take home!)
  • Photo Booth (includes a take-home photo strip)
  • Children’s Puppet Show (a 15-minute show beginning at 4, 5 & 6 p.m.)
  • Live Nativity & Petting Zoo
  • Santa’s Reindeer
  • Wagon Ride & S’mores Campfire
  • Christmas Cookie Decorating
  • Family Craft (with a “do it at home” option)
  • Snowball Room
  • Free hot cocoa, popcorn and water stations
  • Food trucks & vendors with food for purchase throughout the evening
  • Tumble Room (ages 8 & under, parent supervision required)
  • Carpenter’s Place donation drive! (See below for more information)
Cookie Decorating 2021

A Tradition of Generosity

Donate new/gently used items during the event to benefit Carpenter’s Center!

Throughout the night, we will be collecting items for Carpenter’s Center Thrift & More, a new retail shop whose proceeds will go to Carpenter’s Place. Carpenter’s Place serves the homeless community of Rockford by providing resources and accountability to help them get back on their feet. See below for a list of needed items (new or gently used).

1. Bed sheets (twin, full, queen, king)

2. Blankets

3. Comforters/bedspreads (twin, full, queen, king)

4. Bath towels & wash cloths

6. Kitchen towels 

7. Placemats 

8. Small kitchen appliances (toaster, coffee maker, blender)

9. Baking sheets and pans 

10. Kitchen accessories (tongs, can opener, lifter, spatula, large slotted spoons)

11. Casserole dishes with lids 

12. Serving dishes

Food Vendors & Trucks

The following vendors will be onsite in our Fellowship Hall providing food to purchase throughout the night at Christmas Traditions.

Chick Fil A
Papa John’s Pizza
Vintage Goose Coffee & Tea*
Sizz-n-Fizz*
The Olive Branch*

*Food trucks will be parked in the West Lot nearest Mulford Road

Where It’s At

First Free Rockford
2223 N. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107

Get Directions

First Free Rockford

Get in Touch

Questions about Christmas Traditions?  Feel free to contact First Free Rockford by using the contact form.