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Events in Downstate Illinois

Events in Downstate Illinois

Find Your Next Event

Whether you’re looking for a festival, marathon or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone. The 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.

What are you waiting for? Explore our Event Calendar to find the perfect entertainment for you and your family during your visit.

Please use the color-coded map for reference.

  • Western Region (Orange) – Close to St. Louis, MO
  • Central Region (Blue) – Close to Springfield, IL
  • Eastern Region (Yellow) – Close to Terre Haute, IN

James and the Giant Peach at Eastern Illinois University

 November 12, 2026 - November 15, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

Olde Tyme Christmas - Stars, Stripes, & Holiday Lights

 November 13, 2026 - November 14, 2026
Downtown Vandalia
Vandalia, IL

Wonderlights Christmas Display

November 13, 2026 - January 3, 2027
World Wide Technology Raceway
Madison, IL

Eastern Illinois University Wind Symphony & Concert Band Performance

 November 13, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

Olde Tyme Christmas Presents: A Festival of Lights - Stars, Stripes, & Holiday Lights

 November 14, 2026 - January 1, 2027
Rogier Park
Vandalia, IL

Olde Tyme Christmas Presents: Festival of Lights - Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights

 November 14, 2026 - January 1, 2027
Rogier Park
Vandalia, IL

The Poetic Conversations of Ma

 November 14, 2026
Love Church
Belleville, IL

Eastern Illinois University Jazz Lab Band Concert

 November 17, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

New Baden Festival of Trees

 November 19, 2026 - November 21, 2026
St. George Community Center
New Baden, IL

Pinckneyville Cracklin' Christmas

 November 19, 2026
Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce
Pinckneyville, IL

Mattoon Lightworks Opening Night Walkthrough

 November 19, 2026
Peterson House
Mattoon, IL

Dr. Oliver Jia, Guest Pianist Recital at Eastern Illinois University

 November 19, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

Lebanon Victorian Holiday Weekend

 November 20, 2026 - November 21, 2026
Downtown Lebanon
Lebanon, IL

Christmas in Casey Fairview Park

November 20, 2026 - December 27, 2026
Fairview Park
Casey, IL

Mattoon Lightworks

 November 20, 2026 - December 27, 2026
Peterson House
Mattoon, IL

Way of Lights Display at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

 November 20, 2026 - December 31, 2026
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Belleville, IL

The Boat Drunks: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffet in Concert

November 20, 2026
Wabash Valley College Brubeck Arts Center
Mount Carmel, IL

Mistletoe Market Vendor Fair

 November 21, 2026
Trenton First United Methodist Church
Trenton, IL

Vine Street Thanksgiving Market

 November 21, 2026
O'Fallon Station
O'Fallon, IL

Belleville Flea Market

 November 21, 2026 - November 22, 2026
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center
Belleville, IL

Christmas at the Latzer Homestead

 November 21, 2026
Louis Latzer Homestead
Highland, IL

WIld Child Christmas Market

 November 21, 2026
Lawrence County Fairgrounds
Sumner, IL

Maeystown Damen Tag

 November 21, 2026
Downtown
Maeystown, IL

The Lights at Cedarhurst

 November 21, 2026 - December 27, 2026
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts
Mount Vernon, IL

Red Bud Christmas Walk

 November 22, 2026
Downtown Red Bud
Red Bud, IL

Holiday Hustle 5K For a Cause

 November 24, 2026
Du Quoin State Fairgrounds
Du Quoin, IL

Bare Bones Turkey Trot

 November 26, 2026
Mattoon Area Family YMCA
Mattoon, IL

Highland Gobble Hobble

 November 26, 2026
Korte Recreation Center
Highland, IL

16th Annual Belleville Thanksgiving 5K Race and Turkey Chase

 November 26, 2026
Downtown Belleville, Illinois
Belleville, IL

Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair

 November 26, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Du Quoin Fairgrounds
Du Quoin, IL

Olney Christmas Light Display

 November 26, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Olney City Park
Olney, IL

Kay Weber Presents: Thanksgiving Weekend Art & Craft Show

 November 27, 2026 - November 29, 2026
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds
Belleville, IL

Highland Christmas Parade

 November 27, 2026
Highland Square
Highland, IL

13th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt

 November 27, 2026 - December 23, 2026
Belleville Public Square
Belleville, IL

Christmas in Carlyle - Lights in the Park

 November 27, 2026 - January 6, 2027
Carlyle City Park
Carlyle, IL

Red Bud Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting

 November 27, 2026
Downtown Red Bud
Red Bud, IL

Columbia's Small Business Saturday

 November 28, 2026
Historic Main Street
Columbia, IL

Holiday Vendor Market at The Strand

 November 28, 2026
The Strand
Pocahontas, IL

Mount Carmel Small Business Saturday

 November 28, 2026
City Wide in Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel, IL

Waterloo Christmas Walk

 November 28, 2026 - November 29, 2026
Participating Merchants & Restaurants in Waterloo, Illinois
Waterloo, IL

Columbia City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting

November 28, 2026
Fountain Park
Columbia, IL

Christmas in Paris

 November 28, 2026
Edgar County Courthouse Square
Paris, IL

Small Business Saturday of Downtown O'Fallon

 November 28, 2026
Vine Street
O'Fallon, IL

Come Home for Christmas

 November 28, 2026
Greenville, Illinois
Greenville, IL

Waterloo Glow Lighted Parade

 November 28, 2026
Historic Downtown Square
Waterloo, IL

Olney Christmas Parade

 November 28, 2026
Downtown
Olney, IL

Christmas in Mount Carmel

 December 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Downtown
Mount Carmel, IL

Fairfield Festival of Lights

 December 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Leo French Park
Fairfield, IL

Eastern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble Concert

 December 3, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

New Switzerland Model Railroad Christmas Show 2026

 December 4, 2026 - December 30, 2026
McGinly Chrysler Dealership
Highland, IL

38TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER

 December 4, 2026 - December 5, 2026
CHESTER, IL
Chester, IL

Home for the Holidays Festival

 December 4, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Robinson Civic Center
Robinson, IL

Centralia Downtown Christmas Stroll

 December 4, 2026
Historic Downtown Centralia
Centralia, IL

Christmas Uptown-Mt. Carmel

 December 4, 2026
Market Street Mount Carmel, IL
Mount Carmel, IL

Christmas on the River

 December 4, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Downtown
Chester, IL

Celebrate Christmas Downtown Mattoon

 December 4, 2026
Downtown Mattoon
Mattoon, IL

Mascoutah Lighted Christmas Parade

 December 4, 2026
Main Street Mascoutah
Mascoutah, IL

Candy Canes On Main

 December 4, 2026 - December 5, 2026
Downtown Casey
Casey, IL

Eastern Illinois University Holiday Concert Featuring Handel's Messiah

 December 4, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

Breakfast with Santa (and the Puppets!)

 December 5, 2026
Trenton First United Methodist Church
Trenton, IL

Highland Cookie Crumb Trail

 December 5, 2026
Highland Square
Highland, IL

Christmas in the Barn

 December 5, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo
Nashville, IL

Hometown Holly Days

 December 5, 2026
Courthouse Square
Marshall, IL

Christmas in the Heart of Charleston

 December 5, 2026
Downtown Square
Charleston, IL

Bright Night Christmas Parade and Turner Hall Social

 December 5, 2026
Historic Main Street/Turner Hall
Columbia, IL

Fairfield Christmas Parade

 December 5, 2026
Downtown
Fairfield, IL

Mount Carmel Christmas Parade

 December 5, 2026
Market Street
Mount Carmel, IL

Weihnachtsfest (German Christmas Festival)

 December 6, 2026
St. James Parish Center
Millstadt, IL

Old Fashioned German Christmas

 December 6, 2026
Maeystown Preservation Society and Rock Mill Museum
Maeystown, IL

WVC Choir and Steel Pan Drum Ensemble in Concert

December 6, 2026
Wabash Valley College Brubeck Arts Center
Mount Carmel, IL

Metro East 2026 Christmas Concert

 December 6, 2026
St. Paul United Church of Christ
Belleville, IL

Eastern Illinois University Symphonic Band Concert

 December 7, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University Jazz Combos Concert

 December 8, 2026
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter
Charleston, IL

The Grand Ol' Christmas Show

 December 8, 2026
The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
Lebanon, IL


Downstate Illinois Events

Downstate Illinois Events

Explore Our Event Calendar
Whether you’re looking for a festival, marathon or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone. The 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.
Travel Ideas

Travel Ideas

Check Out Our Blog
From outdoor recreation and adventure to foodies and family fun, we have the trip ideas to plan the perfect vacation.
Road Trip Itineraries

Road Trip Itineraries

22 Counties made for Road Trips
Downstate Illinois was made for road trips! With the help of our road trip itineraries, you can discover all that our 22 counties have to offer — from family fun to outdoor adventures and shopping sprees. 
Check out our calendar of events!
James and the Giant Peach at Eastern Illinois University

James and the Giant Peach at Eastern Illinois University

 November 12, 2026 - November 15, 2026 @ 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter | Charleston, IL
Eastern Illinois University Wind Symphony & Concert Band Performance

Eastern Illinois University Wind Symphony & Concert Band Performance

 November 13, 2026 @ 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Doudna Fine Arts Cencter | Charleston, IL
Olde Tyme Christmas - Stars, Stripes, & Holiday Lights

Olde Tyme Christmas - Stars, Stripes, & Holiday Lights

 November 13, 2026 - November 14, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Downtown Vandalia | Vandalia, IL

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