2023 HOLIDAY FUN- NOVEMBER 15th-30th
November 16th
Perry County
Pinckneyville
Cracklin Christmas
Christmas shopping 4pm- 7pm
Christmas Tree LIghting 7pm , north of the square
November 17th and 18th
Saline County
Harrisburg
Elf the Musical, Dinner Theater 5:45-9:15 pm
SIC Foundation presents the Holiday Dinner featuring a performance of Elf: The Musical at SIC’s George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center Lobby and Theatre.
Two nights to choose from! The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18. Dinner prepared by Chef Michael Intravaia will be served at 5:45 p.m. with the theatrical performance beginning at 7 p.m.
A limited number of tickets are available! Tickets are $25 per person or $175 for a table of 8. Reserved seating is included. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Purchase your tickets or sponsorship at www.sic.edu/holidaydinner or call (618) 252-5400 ext. 2205.
An additional showing of Elf: The Musical is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Dinner will not be served at this performance.
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November 18th and 19th
Jefferson County
Mt Vernon
Spero Festival of Trees Open House
11am- 4pm
Kids activities, tree bidding and more
November 19th
Jackson County
Murphysboro,
Workshop on Walnut
Workshop on Walnut is a Christmas Craft Event for kids ages 8 and up.
Join us on Sunday, November 19th from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Small Town Scoops for our first ever Workshop on Walnut! Thank you to City Hope Church for sponsoring this fun event and to Small Town Scoops for graciously donating your party room to host this event!
Children 8 and up are invited to spend an afternoon creating a Christmas craft and fun memories! Kayla from Small Town Sawdust will be here to lead the kids in their crafting adventure! Each child will leave with a Christmas craft and finish off their day with a yummy ice cream treat! This event is limited to the first 30 registrants.
Tickets for this event can be purchased via Eventbrite via this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/750345853647?aff=oddtdtcreator
November 21st
Franklin County
West Frankfort- Annual Fantasy of Lights Parade,
Join us for a magical celebration of Christmas! The parade travels through downtown West Frankfort from St. John the Baptist School to the Miner's Memorial Park. Come see the fire truck delivering Santa to town! The parade also includes horse drawn carriages, local groups, marching bands, and beautiful floats covered in lights. Don’t forget to check out vendors at the downtown parks and to come see the giant downtown tree lit, visit Santa in his house, and pre-book a carriage ride down Main Street after the parade
November 22nd
Paducah
Christmas in the Park Lighting Ceremony
Noble Park, 2915 Park Avenue, Paducah KY
The 2023 Paducah Power System Christmas in the Park Lighting Ceremony will be Wednesday, November 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Noble Park. After the ceremony, attendees are invited to walk through the park looking at the lights until 7 p.m. At that time the park will open to vehicular traffic. Parking is available in the ball fields parking lot.
November 23rd- November 30th
Perry County
DuQuoin
DuQuoin Lights Fair 5:30 pm- 9:30 pm
10.00 per vehicle
Drive through only, No Exhibition Hall this year due to COVID
November 23rd- November 30th
Perry County
DuQuoin
DuQuoin Lights Fair 5:30 pm- 9:30 pm
10.00 per vehicle
Drive through only, No Exhibition Hall this year due to COVIDKentucky
Paducah Christmas in the Park
Sun.-Thu. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Noble Park, 2915 Park Avenue, Paducah, Ky.
Christmas in the Park is nightly from November 23 through December 31. Hours are 6 until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Please donate canned goods or money to assist local agencies and their food pantries.
November 24th- 26th
White County
Carmi
Come drive through our Light display on our opening night! We have over 150 displays and counting! The Carmi Christmas Elves is an organization established in 2019. Our mission is to provide shoes to all children in White County
Shawnee Wine Trail- Various Locations
Holiday Open House on the Wine Trail-Various Locations along the trail
Relax with family and friends and enjoy a fantastic afternoon on the trail with award-winning Illinois wines. You can even start your holiday shopping early with great gifts along the trail. Avoid the long lines and crowds in town and find a gift for that hard to shop for person right here on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Let the knowledgeable staff along the trail direct you towards a great bottle of wine, gift basket or gift card for friends, family, colleagues or yourself.
Each winery participates in our Holiday Open House event in a different way. Some have live music, appetizers and different sales throughout the weekend.
Click Here to See More: https://www.shawneewinetrail.com/holiday-open-house
November 25th
Franklin County
Benton
Benton Hometown Christmas
Vendor fair, Mr and Mrs Claus, lighting of the square
Union County
Anna Illinois
Christmas in Downtown Anna
East Davie and South Main
*Reindeer 5k & 1 Mile Run/Walk – register here: Reindeer 5K | RTS Outfitters (runtosucceed.com)
*Shopping/Dining
*Ice Skating
*Gumdrop Drive
*Food, Craft & Boutique Vendor Fair, Hot Chocolate Station & More!
*Letters to Santa
Anna Illinois
Reindeer 5 K Walk and Run
1 mile and 5 K options
Kicking off “Christmas in Downtown Anna.” Wear your most festive Christmas running gear! Proceeds support Children’s Theater Annual Production and Summer Arts/Drama Camps
Entry Fee $20
Link to register here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Anna/Reindeer5KRunWalk?aflt_token=lsDDTCWcazIepazYI0FCz9dbRxkCWAcY
Anna, Illinois
Chili Contest
1:00 pm on Davie Street
$5 donation and vote for your favorite chili
https://www.facebook.com/events/682853770482517/
Perry County
DuQuoin
DuQuoin Holiday Parade
6pm
Williamson County
Johnston City
JOHNSTON CITY HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS
2pm- 5pm
Come out to the downtown area of Johnston City for the annual Hometown Christmas celebration! Fun for the whole family there will be a bell choir, children’s activities, letters to Santa, and much more. The annual event also includes several area businesses and organizations with tables set up giving away treats, bouncy toys, and an Arctic Drop.
https://www.facebook.com/johnstoncityil/
Herrin
Herrin Hometown Christmas
5:30 pm= 8pm
The annual Herrin Hometown Christmas will be held on November 25th. Santa arrives at 5 p.m. with a Christmas Carnival at the Herrin Civic Center.
November 25th and 26th
Jackson County
Makanda,
Christmas with the Alpacas
Are you ready to make this holiday season extra special? Gather your loved ones and come to Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch for a Christmas experience like no other!
Date: 3 Weekends! Nov 25&26, Dec 2&3, Dec 9&10
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: 1335 Hall Church Road Makanda Il 62958
Event Highlights:
Alpaca Cuddles: Get up close and personal with our adorable alpacas! They're as excited for Christmas as you are!
Santa's Arrival: Santa Claus himself will be visiting our farm to spread holiday cheer and take photos with your little ones. 10am-2pm each day!
Photo Opportunities: Capture unforgettable moments with family and friends at our Christmas decorated ranch!
Feed Cups for Sale: For just $1 per cup, you can treat our alpacas to their favorite snacks. It's a great way to bond with these lovable creatures!
Food Vendor - Melissa's Place: Enjoy a delicious meal from Melissa's Place, our fantastic food vendor offering a variety of mouthwatering dishes.
Craft Stations: Get creative and make your own holiday crafts - it's fun for all ages! Crafts prices: free, $5 and $10
FREE ADMISSION: This Christmas event is completely FREE, so bring everyone you know and share the holiday spirit!
Sales & Giveaways: Don't miss the chance to shop for unique holiday gifts and enter exciting giveaways!
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas with the cutest alpacas around! Dress in your coziest Christmas sweater and get ready for a day filled with love, laughter, creativity, and the chance to win amazing prizes.
For inquiries, contact us at roarfibers@gmail.com
Visit their website: https://www.rollingoakalpacaranch.com
November 26th
Jackson County
Christmas with Mrs Claus - tickets required
Tickets for the 4th Annual Cookies with Mrs. Claus event are on sale now!!
Link to purchase below.
Join us on Sunday, November 26th at the Murphysboro Elks Lodge for the 4th annual, Cookies with Mrs. Claus event! Thank you to Murphysboro Smile Design for sponsoring this event and to the Murphysboro Elks lodge for graciously donating their reception hall & kitchen to host the event.
Children ages 5+ are invited to spend an afternoon with Mrs. Claus learning to make, bake, and decorate cookies! Each child will leave with fresh baked cookies, an apron with printing courtesy of Striking Designs Screenprinting, a cookie cutter, and more! All children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost of the event is $25 per child. (One adult per child. Admission for adult is free.) This event is limited to the first 50 registrants.
Tickets for this event can be purchased via Eventbrite via this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/748179504037?aff=oddtdtcreator
Williamson County
Marion
A Very Merry Holiday Parade
Downtown Marion
5:30pm-7:30 pm
We welcome you to our annual Holiday Parade in festive Downtown Marion, Illinois! The parade route will begin at Marion Junior High School and end at Washington Elementary School. Parade participants can register on the Very Merry Marion website.
November 27th- November 30th
Williamson County
Marion
Downtown Marion
Carriage Rides
The City of Marion is happy to announce the carriage rides will return for another holiday season during the Very Merry Marion events from November 27-December 1st. Carriage rides can be booked at www.verymerrymarion.com/book-now closer to December.
Carriages will pick up in the Market Street Music Conservatory parking lot west of the building.
