Central Illinois Holiday Activities

daniDecember 1, 2021

6 minutes read

November 21

In a tradition dating back to 1975, Farmer City will host its annual Christmas parade, featuring area marching bands, antique tractors, antique cars, Shrine organizations, horses and holiday floats. The parade, which runs through downtown, starts at 2 p.m.

November 27

The Paxton Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. More information to come.

November 27

Christie Clinic presents the 2021 Champaign Parade of Lights, a hour-and-a-half parade that ends with Santa making his way into Champaign County. The parade begins at 6 p.m., but horse and carriage rides, visits with Santa and a candy crawl will be available all afternoon.

December 3

Enjoy the magic of the Night of Lights Parade! Witness spectacular vehicles, floats, and Santa himself, all dressed up in a wardrobe of illumination! Parade starts at 6pm and will move South from Williams to Main Street along Vermilion. Free Carriage Rides 1-5pm.

December 3

Kick the holiday season off in Rantoul with Santa, crafts and a parade! This year’s “Light Up Rantoul” will begin at 6 p.m. Santa’s workshop at 112 E. Sangamon will begin at 6:30 along with horse and carriage rides.

December 4

The Monticello Christmas parade, “A Hometown Christmas” will begin at 11:30 a.m. traveling north on Hamilton to Center, west on Center to State, south on State back to the school.

December 4

This festive evening will be filled with decorated vehicles: golf carts, floats and trailers. The parade will begin at the St. Joseph Middle School at 5 p.m. and end at the Community Park on East Grand Ave.

December 10

The Gibson City Christmas Celebration will run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. with an illuminated drive-through Christmas festival (including floats) at North Park and activities downtown.

Lake of the Woods

This holiday season the garden will be illuminated for the first “Night Lights in the Garden.” Beginning December 3rd, the garden will be brimming with light on Friday and Saturday evenings from 4-8 p.m. through January 8th.

The Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden at Lake of the Woods is open to the public free of charge year-round.

Monticello

Bring friends and family to experience the warmth and cheer of Holiday GLOW. Now in its sixth year, our magical illuminated walk returns to awe and inspire – with new captivating artwork mixed in with your familiar favorites. Holiday Glow will be open from Dec. 3 through Jan. 15.

Mahomet

From the Griswold to Marvel, Mahomet homeowners have great displays that will leave your family cheering.

Downs

The Village of Downs turns Dooley Park into a Winter Wonderland.

Decatur

December 9-12 and 15-19. Encounter an outdoor experience sure to get you embracing the holiday spirit! Aboard a golf cart after dark, drive through an enchanting path of beautifully decorated trees. Afterward, roast s’mores by the fire pit and sip on hot cocoa. Want to walk the course instead? The first hour of each evening will be reserved for foot traffic only!

Hoopeston

City of Hoopeston presents the annual Light Up McFerren Park. Over 25 displays and tens of thousands of lights.

Champaign

Enjoy holiday lights every Thursday through Sunday, starting November 26 – January 2 at Prairie Farm. This will be an accessible experience featuring festive light displays throughout the farm. Bring your cocoa and enjoy a journey through a winter wonderland!
Opening night on November 26 will include a chance to meet Santa, listen to carolers, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate.

Urbana

The famous Candlestick Lane will in Urbana be lit on Dec. 11.

St. Joseph

St. Joseph’s Willowdale Winter Wonderland will come to life on Dec. 3.

Danville

The historic buildings at Kennekuk County Park’s Bunker Hill Historic Area will be decorated for the holidays and thousands of lights illuminated every Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights 5:00 – 8:00 PM through the holiday season.

Oakwood

Each year the Village of Oakwood encourages lights by running a contest for participants. It’s worth a drive-through of this quaint town.

November 26

Make plans to join Harvest Moon in Gibson City for two weekends in November for “Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie” nights. They kick things off on November 19th & 20th with How the Grinch Stole Christmas on screen 1 and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on screen 2.

The gates will open around 5:30 both nights and showtime will be 6:30 pm.

In addition to the movies, they’ll have a special on-screen Christmas Presentation before the movie, “Lighted Lane: with thousands of Christmas lights decorating the entrance area. The Snack Bar will be open for purchases.

November 27

Beginning at 3:30 on Nov. 27, the Village of LeRoy will “Light Up” with games, caroling, crafts, coookies and hot chocolate, Mrs. Clause and a tree lighting.

November 27

Villa Grove will host their 5th Annual Tree Lighting Festival beginning at 9 a.m. The day will be filled with joyous activities, including visits with Santa until the tree is lit at 6:30 p.m.

November 27

Santa will be at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dec. 1, 8, & 10

Visit Santa at the beautiful Virginia Theater from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8 and 10.

December 3-5

The Champaign-Urbana Ballet and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra present the Nutcracker at Krannert on Dec. 3-5.

December 4

Visit SJCOC’s annual Winter Wassail from 4 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 4. The event will feature lights, Christmas trees, wassail, and Santa! Enjoy storytelling, carolers (U of I’s No Strings Attached), a Christmas tree competition, and a whole heap of Christmas spirit!

December 4

The 2021 Christmas in Homer event will be held at the Village Hall & Library on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Cookie Walk & Craft Vendors will be at Village Hall from 9-3 and Santa arrives in a local fire truck! Visit with Santa from 10-1.
town.

December 3 & 4

On Friday night the Village of Mahomet will kick of the weekend event Village Christmas with the arrival of Santa Clause and the lighting of the Village Christmas tree downtown in Russell Park. Donuts with Santa at Mahomet High School will begin Saturday morning before the Mahomet-Seymour Drama Club presents Santa’s Spectacles at 11 and 1. Kids can visit Santa in a drive-through at Sangamon on Main from 6 to 8 p.m.

December 4

Make-and-Take ornaments are back at the Mahomet Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make two ornaments in-person, then grab a kit to make three more at home!

December 10

Season of Light traces the history and development of many of the world’s December holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season. Season of Light also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice – not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican, and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions.

The show runs from 8 to 9 p.m. at William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College.

December 11&12

The Mahomet-Seymour Madrigals will perform a merry rendition of carols in the 2021 holiday edition. Shows are at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 12 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.

December 11

Santa is coming to the St. Joseph Stanton Fire Department at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11. The event will also include a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a Christmas movie, cookies, performances by the SJ-O band.

December 11

Santa is coming to Industrial Donut again this year! He will be available for photos between 8:30 and 10:30 on Saturday, December 11. The Grinch will pop in at 10:30 and roam the shop until 11:30.
The Tolono Public Library will be handing out FREE books, while supplies last.
This is a FREE event.
Masks are required.

December 18

Let’s fill St. Joseph with running Santa Clauses!
Bring your family to the fourth annual Santa Run and enjoy exercise, music, milk & cookies, hot chocolate, photo opportunities with Santa & The Grinch!

Mahomet

From your vehicle, experience the Christmas story as you visit the shepherds, Mary & Joseph in the manger, and the three kings. This event will include storyboards to share the story of Jesus’ birth, live animals, Christmas music playing via 103.5 FM and a prayer tree. From 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Mahomet.

Champaign

Preparations for Christmas start and finish with a special drive-through event at the Cunningham Children’s Home campus: Luminaries of Hope and Live Nativity. The 2021 event will be held on Dec. 11 and 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.