Long nights and cold mornings can only mean one thing – it’s officially the holiday season! This wonderful time of year presents the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors alike to explore Downstate Illinois and see all our beautiful communities lit up with festive cheer. Whether you are in town to celebrate with loved ones, or have lived in the area for years, this lineup of charming holiday events and attractions are sure to warm your heart during the most joyous time of year!

The Naughty List – New Baden

As the only permanent Christmas-themed pop-up bar in Downstate, The Naughty List in New Baden is a holiday institution in the region. Their full-immersive décor, wintery cocktails, and fun theme nights make it an ideal destination for groups or families who are looking for an extra ounce (or pint) of Christmas cheer this year. With a convenient location just 3o minutes from Downtown St. Louis, The Naughty List is the perfect choice for those looking to get out of the city for a fun night of drinks and friendship. Be sure to act fast, as bookings fill up fast and walk-ins are not accepted.

Bubbly & Bright – Vandalia

There are few better ways to celebrate the festive season than a night at the Bubbly & Bright pop-up bar in the downstairs venue at Blind Society in Vandalia. With a host venue that is renowned across the area for having some of the best food and drinks around, this holiday-themed space is sure to impress. An exciting lineup of festive cocktails featuring locally crafted spirits from neighboring Witness Distillery, tasty mocktails, and sweet and savory charcuterie boards make Bubbly and Bright a premier holiday destination in Downstate in 2025. Reservations are available at three time slots, Thursdays through Saturdays, from November 14-29.

Christkindlmarkt – Belleville

Immerse yourself in the cheerful bliss of a European-style open-air Christmas market without leaving the comfort of Downstate Illinois at Belleville’s Christkindlmarkt, which runs Thursday through Sunday weekly for the duration of December.  This market brings Belleville’s beautiful Fountain Square and Main Street to life with the holiday spirit, offering visitors a unique chance to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts from a variety of local vendors. However, shopping isn’t the only feature worth writing home about! Horse-drawn trolley rides, visits with Santa, a heated beer tent, and a llama petting zoo add to the experience, making it a must-see attraction for your 2025 holiday roundup.

Candy Canes on Main – Casey

Few communities can encapsulate the charm of small-town America quite like Casey, whose world-famous Big Things draw visitors from far and wide to marvel at the massive interactive sculptures scattered all over town. When the holidays roll around, the charm is kicked up even more for the annual Candy Canes on Main event, which transforms the city into a winter wonderland, complete with costumed movie characters and a lighted parade through Downtown. With a whole weekend of holiday action in store on December 5^th and 6^th, be sure to mark your calendars and get out to Casey for one of the premier events of the region.

Wonderlights – World Wide Technology Raceway

Load up the car with the people you love, grab a thermos of hot chocolate, and head on down to World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison to witness one of the largest light displays in the region! As you make your way through Wonderlights' winding wonderland of holiday cheer, over 1 million lights illuminate the night sky, bringing warmth and wonder to your Christmas season. No static displays here! Tune those radios to the synchronized station and watch as the display dances through the night to beloved Christmas classics and more modern rocking tunes. At just $30 per car, this is an event that you won’t want to miss!

Way of Lights – Belleville

Yet another dazzling display of festive lights happens just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. Their annual Way of Lights drive-through display has lit up the winter skies of the Metro East for over 55 years, and has become a coveted tradition for many in the process. Visitors can behold the stunning telling of the Journey to Bethlehem as they make their way across the Shrine’s grounds, filling the night with Christmas cheer. While entry is free, donations are accepted and are used to benefit the Shrine’s ongoing community outreach efforts, making the Way of Lights a terrific way to celebrate the season and give back to the community all in one.