Listings by date:
December 1st
- Carbondale
10:00 am
First Christmas Church
- Marion
10:30 am- 11:30 am
Story Hour-Christmas Carols with Marion High School Madrigals
December 2nd
-Eldorado
Santa is Coming to Pace
1200 Locust Street
4pm- 7pm
Please join us for our holiday block party.
This event will be held in downtown Eldorado. All children and families are welcome to attend and there is no cost.
Join us for photos with Santa, Cookie Decorating, Games, Snacks, Gifts, Giveaways & More!
Every child that comes will leave with a Christmas gift.
Volunteers are also needed. Please plan to attend and/or reach out to volunteer for the event.
This is a partnership event between Amygdala Co, AWARE, Bullying Prevention/TRS, CATCH, City of Eldorado, Egyptian Health Department, Eldorado Children’s Cabinet, Eldorado Police Dept, Eldorado School District, HOPE Program, IL HEALS, Project Connect 3.0, So IL Resiliency Project, Stress & Trauma Treatment Center, UI Extension Office, WADI Head Start
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December 3rd
- Carbondale
The Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Adults $15, Students $10
https://stagecompany.org/?fbclid=IwAR2iJOR5s5qPqft3fFxCQ9ru_jdNe8V4Pm5CYHPBxiNzJD4owqls3BlW6B0
- DuQuoin
- Murphysboro
Join us Friday, December 3rd for the Murphysboro Hometown Christmas 5th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Carl Lee Park (next to Sallie Logan Library.) There will be food, music, carriage rides, hot cocoa, popcorn and more! Kids crafts will be available at no charge in the youth center building as well. Santa's cottage will be open for pictures with the children! Bring your phone or camera for photos!
December 4th
- Bonnie
10am- 4pm
Bernard Family Farm
4959 N. Norwich Lane, Bonnie
Christmas at the Farm...what a wonderful tradition. Come visit the alpacas and their other farm friends during this festive time of year. Our farm is decorated for the season and will have lots of photo opportunities, so bring your camera. The Bold Goat will be here serving up hot drinks and Santa will be here visiting as well. Our farm store will be open for shopping and we will have $1 feed cups available. So mark your calendars and come spend Christmas at the Farm!
- Carbondale - Christmas Around the Town- Multiple Activities
715 S University Ave.
1pm= 5pm
Create ornaments any way you want this holiday season! Paint, pour, or resin up your ornaments to jazz up a tree or give as a gift!
Why is this workshop called "The Ultimate Ornaments Workshop?"
Because you will have the opportunity to create as many ornaments with any medium you want!
Create on a wood-slice, make an ornament with resin or create a paint-pour ornament! It's free to RSVP. When you arrive to PHX just tell us how many ornaments you'd like.
Resin Ornaments: $15 each
Wood Slice Ornaments: $8
Regular Ceramic or Glass Ornaments: $5
Hot cocoa & christmas treats are included in your ticket
Cookie Walk
4pm- 6pm Old Train Depot
Letters to Santa-
4pm-6pm Old Train Depot
Santas Reindeer
4pm-6pm near the Town Square Pavillion
Chili Supper
4pm- 5pm Civic Center
Lights Fantastic Parade
6pm Downtown
- Carbondale
The Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Adults $15, Students $10
https://stagecompany.org/?fbclid=IwAR2iJOR5s5qPqft3fFxCQ9ru_jdNe8V4Pm5CYHPBxiNzJD4owqls3BlW6B0
- DuQuoin
- DuQuoin
Your children can visit Santa at Du Quoin City Hall the Evenings of December 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th and 19th from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 each of these nights. Register them during the visit for Prizes to be given away the night of December 19th.
- Goreville
10:00 am
Christmas Open House
Pictures with Santa
Crafts, Baked Goods, Candies & More
- Mt Vernon
- Christmas Model Train and Nativity Exhibit 10am- 4pm
1411 N 27th, Mt Vernon
Come experience these Christmas holiday exhibits for a special holiday activity for the whole family. The model train exhibit will have several running train sets with different gauges and village settings. Additional historical model trains will be on display. In the 40s and 50s, train sets became a popular Christmas tradition. Families would add to the train set yearly for friends and families to see. There will also be a variety of Nativity sets from all over the world for viewing. There is no charge. Donations are appreciated.
- Pinckneyville
Santa’s friend Olaf is so excited to fill in for his annual cookie date. This year, we will be offering a unique, fun Winter themed event for kids! Your little one will get to make an adorable craft, eat cookies and milk, sing along with one of their favorite movie characters, and get a professional digital photo with SANTA!! They were also be photo opportunities with all off for all of the parents so bring your cameras. This event is paired with our Christmas Bazaar, where you can shop for Christmas gifts and sweet treats! Plus, all proceeds stay local and benefit students, families, and other local non-profit organizations. Sign up to join the fun! Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today!
To reserve a place for your child, just email your name, childs name and age and any allergies along with your phone number to CookieswithKringle2017@gmail.com. Cash and check payments are available day of or venmo payments are accepted now. When using Venmo, please put the words "Cookies for (your name)" in the memo line
Zeigler
Breakfast with Santa
Zeigler Fire Dept. 301 Church Street, Zeigler
8am- 12 pm
Join the City of Zeigler Fire Department for our Annual Breakfast with Santa December 4th from 8AM to Noon! Pancakes and Sausage will be served for breakfast. Children eat free, adults are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or toy to donate. Cash donations will also be accepted. All proceeds will go to benefit the Zeigler Benevolence Fund helping local residents in need during the holidays. The guest of honor Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children, take photos and hand out gifts. Come join us!
December 5th
- Bonnie
10am- 4pm
Bernard Family Farm
4959 North Norwhich Lane
Christmas at the Farm...what a wonderful tradition. Come visit the alpacas and their other farm friends during this festive time of year. Our farm is decorated for the season and will have lots of photo opportunities, so bring your camera. The Bold Goat will be here serving up hot drinks and Santa will be here visiting as well. Our farm store will be open for shopping and we will 2pm have $1 feed cups available. So mark your calendars and come spend Christmas at the Farm!
- Carbondale
The Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Adults $15, Students $10
https://stagecompany.org/?fbclid=IwAR2iJOR5s5qPqft3fFxCQ9ru_jdNe8V4Pm5CYHPBxiNzJD4owqls3BlW6B0
- DuQuoin
- Marion
4:30 pm -6:30pm
The Pavilion and Marion Carnegie Library have teamed up to bring Santa to Marion this season!
Come out to the Pavilion on December 5th and December 19th from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm for your chance to tell Santa what you want for Christmas and get pictures with the Jolly Old Elf!
Listen to local choirs and hear holiday stories on the radio as you wait in your car.
All children will receive a fun to-go craft while supplies last.
*This event is free and open to the public.
**Thank you to the MCCC Foundation for the use of the Santa House front porch.
***Thank you to the Marion Cultural and Civic Center for lending outdoor space heaters.
- Vienna Illinois
A FREE community event sponsored by the Revive Vienna Committee and located on the Square around the Historic Johnson County Courthouse in Vienna, IL
~Horse & Carriage Rides
~Pictures with Santa
~Miss Daisy the Cow
~Candy Cane Hunt
~Caroling
~Christmas Cookie Walks
~Children's Christmas Stories
~Chili, Hot Dogs, Hot Chocolate
~Gifts & Drawings for the kids
~Kid Activities
December 9th
- Harrisburg
December 10th
- Carbondale
The Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Adults $15, Students $10
https://stagecompany.org/?fbclid=IwAR2iJOR5s5qPqft3fFxCQ9ru_jdNe8V4Pm5CYHPBxiNzJD4owqls3BlW6B0
- DuQuoin
- DuQuoin
December 11th
- Carbondale
The Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Adults $15, Students $10
https://stagecompany.org/?fbclid=IwAR2iJOR5s5qPqft3fFxCQ9ru_jdNe8V4Pm5CYHPBxiNzJD4owqls3BlW6B0
- DuQuoin
Your children can visit Santa at Du Quoin City Hall the Evenings of December 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th and 19th from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 each of these nights. Register them during the visit for Prizes to be given away the night of December 19th.
- Marion
9am- 12 pm
The GRINCH IS COMING TO STEAL CHRISTMAS AT STEVENS GIFTS AND FRAMING. COME OUT AND GET YOUR PICTURE WITH TUE HRINCH WHILE YOU CAN
- Mt Vernon
Join us in the beautiful Downtown Mt. Vernon for the 2021 Christmas Parade "Miracle on 9th St."
This year's event will feature:
- Craft & Misc Vendors
- Concessions by Kingdom Seed Ministries
- Carriage Rides presented by King City Property Brokers ($5 donation recommended)
- Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Make & Take Crafts by United Way of South Central Illinois
- Cookie Decorating by Business Women Club (while supplies last)
- Girl Scouts Choir
- AND SO MUCH MORE!!
Activities will take place from 3-7PM.
Parade will take place at 5PM.
- Murphysboro
Pick up a cookie box filled with a map, coupons, & specials from One Hot Cookie and then collect a variety of different cookies at each of the participating Unique Shops in downtown Murphysboro! When you are finished making your way through the shops, you will have hopefully put a dent in your Christmas shopping & also have a full box of Christmas cookies to take home or gift to someone else this holiday season! Boxes are free with a donation to the Murphysboro Food Pantry or a $2 monetary donation can be made. Limit 1 box per family. Customers must be 16 years of age or older to participate
- Murphysboro 50
Murphysboro High School, 50 Blackwood Dr.
Admission is FREE! Gates open at 5:30pm. Pat's BBQ & Catering will be there selling food, so bring your appetites! Cold-Blooded Coffee Co. will be donating hot chocolate. Popcorn will also be free to all attendees!
- Valier
Valier Baptist Church
Journey with us to Bethlehem! Stroll through the food market for pancakes, sausage, and fresh fruit, and find a table at The Inn. Grab a drink from "the well." Meet the Wise Men who may just give you their gifts of gold coins. Make your way to the Builders to craft an ornament. Then sit back to watch the Nativity story!
All are welcome! Fun for the entire family! This is a free event!
Reservations are not required but do help for preparation. Please message if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you
December 12th
- Carbondale
The Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Adults $15, Students $10
https://stagecompany.org/?fbclid=IwAR2iJOR5s5qPqft3fFxCQ9ru_jdNe8V4Pm5CYHPBxiNzJD4owqls3BlW6B0
- DuQuoin
Your children can visit Santa at Du Quoin City Hall the Evenings of December 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th and 19th from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 each of these nights. Register them during the visit for Prizes to be given away the night of December 19th.
