Frosty on First returns to downtown La Salle

Frosty on First, La Salle’s official holiday kick-off party, returns this Friday, Nov. 6 for a second year of exciting winter-themed activities, entertainment and shopping along First Street. The festivities will take place across Friday and Saturday, with an selection of family-friendly fun – including a brand new drone show planned for Saturday evening.

Organized by the city of La Salle, Frosty on First will occupy three blocks of First Street, with activities extending from Joliet Street to Wright Street. The event was developed as a winter counterpart to the city’s former Celebrate La Salle summer festival and also serves as the opening event for the annual Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park. Festival hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, with free admission for visitors.

One of the central attractions of the fest will be the return of a synthetic ice skating rink near the intersection of First and Marquette streets. Measuring 40 feet by 50 feet, the rink can accommodate up to 70 skaters at a time, with skates provided for participants. The surrounding festival area will feature several inflatable attractions, including a 30-foot snowman bounce house and slides, providing additional activities for children and families throughout both days.

Ax Church also will return with its Ultimate Snowball Fight and winter carnival games, an attraction that gives children an opportunity to participate in a snowball battle using fabric snowballs. Other activities include face painting by local artists, a 360-degree selfie station, kid’s crafts, face painting and an opportunity for children to write letters to Santa.

Live reindeer from Whispering Pines Reindeer Ranch and Tree Farm will be another attraction, with opportunities for visitors to see the animals and take photographs in the La Salle State Bank parking lot. Santa’s sleigh also will be available for photographs, giving families another opportunity to capture the holiday occasion. Ice princess and snowman characters are scheduled to appear from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The festival also will feature a variety of food and shopping opportunities, with food trucks, participating downtown restaurants and local businesses along First Street taking part in the weekend celebration. Visitors will be able to find hot cocoa, sweet treats and other food options while exploring the festival grounds, while Chef Sara’s Table will host the Kringle Market, bringing a holiday shopping component to the event. The market’s vendor list is expected to be announced separately.

La Salle’s downtown businesses also will participate in the returning Frosty on First Shopping Passport program. Visitors can pick up punch cards at participating businesses, with every $25 spent earning one punch toward a drawing for gift baskets containing local goods. Four punches earn one entry, and winners will be notified by telephone. The program is intended to encourage festival visitors to spend time exploring the downtown storefronts and supporting the businesses that contribute to the community throughout the year.

Friday’s festivities will feature a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Join Mayor Grove and Santa at 6 p.m. Gather with friends and family as the tree lights up, bringing a little extra holiday magic to downtown La Salle. Following the lighting ceremony, head to the live music stage on Gooding St. to see Ryan Shephard play acoustic renditions of festive favorites, running until 9 p.m.

Saturday’s entertainment will include a performance by Tim n Wally from 5 to 8 p.m. on Gooding Street, followed by one of the most notable additions to this year’s festival. A drone show is scheduled for 8 p.m. over First Street, with illuminated aerial formations and holiday-themed designs providing the closing attraction for the weekend. The show is a new addition to Frosty on First and gives visitors another reason to remain downtown into Saturday evening.

The weekend also will include the annual Run, Run, Rudolph 5K Fun Run/Walk, which gives participants an opportunity to experience the Celebration of Lights display at Rotary Park before the drive-through attraction opens for the season. The race is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with participants taking shuttle buses from La Salle City Hall, 745 Second St., to the park. Shuttle service begins at 4:45 p.m., and the final return shuttle from Rotary Park will depart at 7:30 p.m. There is no parking available at the park, and registration is required.

The 2026-2027 Celebration of Lights display will officially open to vehicles Sunday and will operate nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. through New Year’s Day. The addition of the Run, Run, Rudolph event to Frosty on First gives visitors an early opportunity to see the display while also taking part in the downtown festival.

With its combination of returning attractions and new entertainment, Frosty on First will once again bring together downtown businesses, community organizations and visitors for the start of La Salle’s holiday season. Additional information and the complete schedule of activities are available at LiveItUpLaSalle.com/Frosty-on-First.