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Whether you’re looking for live music, a festival, marathon, or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone! Each week we highlight a few fun events within southwest, south central and southeast Illinois. Our region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing. For even more events, be sure to visit the Downstate Illinois Calendar of Events page here!
Downtown Belleville Live Music Row
Downtown Belleville, Belleville, IL
Every Wednesday - Sunday, 2022 @ 6 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Welcome to Live Music Row! Beautiful Downtown Belleville has many venues that provide local & national Live Music acts. Live Music Row will be a place to see Live Music Events all in one place on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information about performances, venues, becoming a sponsor or playing a show, visit the offical Facebook page!
World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, IL
Friday, November 11, 2022 - Sunday, January 1, 2023 @ 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
WonderLight's Christmas is returning to the greater St. Louis area for the 2022 season! Come see over 1 million LED lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your own car stereo.
Lebanon's Winter Wonderland of Lights
Horner Park, Lebanon, IL
Friday, November 18, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.\
Lighted holiday drive through display in Horner Park with animation and music display, organizational displays and much more!
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL
Friday, November 18, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Visit the largest spiritual, spectacular 1.5 mile light display telling the Christmas story.
The Lights - An Exhibition of Holiday Magic!
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon, IL
Saturday, November 19, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Cedarhurst is creating the happiest holidays in southern Illinois! Immerse yourself in winter wonder with more than 1 million Christmas lights twinkling along a 3/4 mile walking trail through the heart of the museum’s 80-acre campus. Roast s’mores, view the art galleries, enjoy special holiday programs, and capture the moments at unique photo opportunities along the way.
Centralia Foundation Park, Centralia, IL
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
This colorful all-light display is located in the Joy Fields portion of the park. The lighted characters, many animated, makes the Fantasy of Lights display a favorite destination for many during the Christmas Season. It is open from dusk until 11 p.m. nightly.
HeartLands Conservancy, Belleville, IL
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Sunday, January 1, 2023 @ Noon
The Jingle Hike Challenge is back for another year! Our staff have come up with 12 very special places in southwestern Illinois to explore this winter.
Clark County Fairgrounds, Marshall, IL
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The Clark County Fairgrounds are decorated to the max for another year of the Festival of Lights, put on by the Marshall Christmas Committee. Much like many of the other displays, it is drive-thru only – and is open nightly from now through December 31st.
Olney City Park, Olney, IL
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Don’t forget to visit the Olney Christmas Light Display in the Olney City Park this season to hear the sounds of Christmas and enjoy the colorful lights of the Holiday season.
Du Quoin State Fairgounds, Du Quoin, IL
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Friday, December 30, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Join us for our 23rd Annual Holiday Lights Fair featuring over three miles of lighted displays - bigger and better than ever! Craft vendors, free entertainment, food, train rides for kids, and more!
Public Square, Belleville, IL
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Visit Santa at his house on Belleville's Public Square. Photos optional. Optimist Club of Belleville. See bellevillesantahouse.com for scheduled hours.
Belleville Public Square, Belleville, IL
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Sunday, November 27, 2022 @ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Shop this open-air, German Christmas Market featuring unique handmade & European items, entertainment, food and beverages. Free admission. In case of extreme weather, check website at BellevilleChristkindlmarkt.com
Newton Christmas Lights in the Park
Peterson Park, Newton, IL
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Sunday, December 25, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Join us at Peterson Park to see our Christmas Lights! There are dozens of displays set up throughout the park for folks to drive through and admire! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ONLY
Willow Hill, IL
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
From our Family to Yours, We share our Joy of Christmas... Our decorations are small town and nothing fancy, just family made and painted for all to enjoy.
Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Christmas Display
American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville, IL
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Looking for some family fun this Holiday season? Come visit our Christmas display.
Christmas Lights in Carlyle City Park
Carlyle City Park, Carlyle, IL
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Sunday, January 8, 2023 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Come and enjoy all the spendor of Christmas as you drive through this amazing display!
Santa on the Square - Highland
Downtown Highland, Highland, IL
Saturday, November 26, 2022 - Friday, December 23, 2022 @ 6 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Come see Santa on the Square!
Carmi's Christmas Lights of Hope
White County Fairgrounds, Carmi, IL
Saturday, November 26, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Carmi Christmas Elves present the 4th Annual Christmas Lights Hope! Christmas Lights of Hope is a drive through display with over 125 light up displays located at the White County Fairgrounds in Carmi, IL.
Merchants Park, Mt. Carmel, IL
Thursday, December 1, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Festival of Trees is located at Merchants Park in Mt. Carmel IL. It is an area that is decorated with Christmas Trees from local business and groups. It is a nice area to enjoy the sight of Christmas Trees decorated for the holidays.
Downtown Centralia Christmas Stroll
Centralia, IL
Friday, December 2, 2022 @ 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Enjoy a stroll in Downtown Centralia. The ornament hunt continues taking strollers through numerous downtown stores and businesses! Other activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, store specials, an opportunity to meet with Santa, Carolers and other musical performances, Christmas decoration contests, refreshments, and much more.
2022 Mt. Carmel Christmas Uptown Festival
Mt. Carmel, IL
Friday, December 2, 2022 @ 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Shopping at Vendors & Mt. Carmel's Retail Stores, Scenic Carriage Rides, Gingerbread House Competition, Giant Photo Ops for the Family, Face Painting, Meet Santa, North Pole Express Train Rides, Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, Santa's Workshop, Elves' Cafe, Victorian Caroling, Nativity, and much more!
Chester, IL
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 4 p.m. - 3 p.m.
A 3 day event kicking off the Holiday Season in the City of Chester! Scavenger Hunts, Craft and Vendor Sales, Santa Visits, Lighted Parade, Community Tree Lighting, and more!
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 4 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Coulterville Holiday Light Display
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Sunday, December 18, 2022 @ 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
102 W Grant St. Coulterville, IL
1/2 mile walk thru display features a million lights and 700 Christmas figurines! Don't miss the walk through version of the Candyland" game with favorites such as Lolli Pop Lane. Fridays and Saturdays evenings, there's food, crafts and a visit with Santa and Friends!
Rogier Park, Vandalia, IL
Friday, December, 2022 - Friday, December 30, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Every weekend in December starting December 2nd - 30th.
Salem Community Center, Salem, IL
Friday, December 2, 2022 @ 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Games, food, crafts, and Christmas photo ops!
Downtown Casey, Casey, IL
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Candy Canes on Main is a Christmas event that promotes shopping small and local tourism on the first Saturday of December. There's tons to do and see so come and join us in downtown Casey, Illinois!
Avon Theater, Breese, IL
Friday, December 2, 2022 - Sunday, December 11, 2022 @ 8 p.m. - 2 p.m.
A Christmas Carol meets The Government Inspector meets Noises Off in this hilarious hit. A man who asks to audition at a small theater is mistaken for an informer for the National Endowment for the Arts. Everyone caters to the bewildered wannabe actor, and he is given a role in the current production, A Christmas Carol. Everything goes wrong and hilarity is piled upon hilarity.
Downtown Belleville, Belleville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This run begins at the Belleville Parks and Recreation at 8:30 a.m. The course takes you throughout the streets of beautiful downtown Belleville with an awards ceremony following at the Historic Lincoln Theater.
The Print Shop Community Room, Carmi, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 9 a.m. - Noon
Santa Paws Photos! Join us at The Print Shop Graphics Group LLC for Santa Claus photos with your children and pets on December 3 from 9 a.m. - Noon!
Belleville Eckert's, Belleville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
For those who have always longed to build a gingerbread house but were intimidated by the thought, here is your chance to create a beautiful display for the holidays.
Okawville's Annual Christmas Stroll
Okawville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
First weekend in December - Get in the holiday spirit with this fun weekend. Activities include decorated house tours, Festival of Trees, crafts, Breakfast With Santa, museum tours and vendor show.
Jingle Jamboree at Ewing Garden Barn
Marshall, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
1st annual vendor event! Vendors, food, hot chocolate, free ornament making for kids, trees, wreaths, evergreen porch gnomes, centerpieces, and much more! Santa will be here in the afternoon both days for photos. We will also be collecting toys for our local Toys for Tots program!!
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo, Nashville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 - Sunday, December 18, 2022 @ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Come see the camels, miniature donkeys and other critters in our 150+ year old barn, all decorated for the holidays!
Lebanon Christmas on Brick Street
Downtown Lebanon, Lebanon, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
We never know what tomorrow will bring get a jump start on your Christmas shopping with Christmas in July on the Brick Street.
The Edge, Belleville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Meet Santa with a smile for a photo while making fun holiday make-and-take crafts & enjoy refreshments.
Scheve Park, Mascoutah, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 - Monday, January 2, 2023
Brighten your night with Mascoutah's Walk-through Christmas Light Display!
Merchants Park, Mt. Carmel, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Bring your 4-legged friends to the Harris Insurance Pavilion located inside Merchants Park in Mt. Carmel IL and snap a photo with Santa! He will be available on Saturday, December 3rd from 1 -3pm for Pictures with Pups. This is a perfect opportunity to get your perfect Christmas Card photo!
Salem, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
2 p.m. - "Elf" at the Salem Community Theatre, 4 p.m. - Santa's arrival, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Food trucks, hot cocoa station, and activities
Highland Holiday Tractor Parade
Highland, IL
Satuday, December 3, 2022 @ 4 p.m.
Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
Charleston Square, Charleston, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 4:45 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Carriage rides, refreshments, musical entertainment, costumed characters, roasted chestnuts, DanceLife Performance, Santa, and much more.
Historic Main Street, Columbia, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 5 p.m.
Santa Claus makes his grand appearance at this Christmas themed parade of bright lights. Parade runs from Temple Street to Cherry Street.
Mount Carmel, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The Mt. Carmel Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 3rd stepping off at 5:15pm from 3rd to 8th street on Market Street. The theme is: Christmas Characters. The Parade starts at 5:15pm and will proceed North on Market Street to Eighth. The 2022 theme is “Christmas Characters”.
Columbia Turner Hall Christmas Social
Turner Hall, Columbia, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
After the Christmas parade, visit with Santa and enjoy food, beverages and activities for the kids. Parade winners announced.
Skyview Drive-In, Belleville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 6:15 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Come snuggle up with your family and join the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce for a Christmas tradition with a movie at Skyview Drive-in and see Santa in person!
The Blaizer House & Museum, Belleville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Welcome to the 1950s! The Belleville Historical Society is at it again, and we hope you can join us. We’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree at our annual holiday party. Period dress highly encouraged!
USAF Band of Mid-America presents "Spirit of the Season"
Belleville West Hight School, Belleville, IL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The USAF Band of Mid-America will present a holiday concert at the Belleville West High School Auditorium on Friday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. This is a family-friendly, all-ages event. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Prairie du Rocher, IL
Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
La Fete de Noel is annual Craft show hosted by the Prairie du Rocher IL Chamber of Commerce at the Prairie du Rocher American Legion Post.
O.W. Billhartz Civic Center, New Baden, IL
Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
A fun day filled with Christmas Characters, shopping, and good food! There will be a free meet and greet with Santa, Rudolph, and The Grinch.
Weihnachtsfest (German Christmas Festival)
St. James Parish Center, Millstadt, IL
Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Holiday festival similar to Christmas markets held in Germany.
Old-Fashioned German Christmas
Maeystown, IL
Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
This event centers on the celebration of our German heritage. Join us for a German Christmas carol sing, Christkindlmarkt and quilt show, carriage rides, German paper star folding and Weihnachthaustour (mini house tour).
Columbia Visit with Santa on Main Street
Main Street, Columbia, IL
Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Santa visits with children & poses for pictures. (Bring your own Camera).
To submit an event to be published on the Downstate Illinois website, click here!
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