Holiday Lights Displays Across Our Territory Downstate Illinois has no shortage of holiday lights displays to ignite the holiday spirit in everyone — even the biggest Scrooge in your family! Here are some of the largest, most unique and most fun holiday lights displays happening in our 22 counties this Holiday season:
Join the town of Robinson in welcoming the holiday season early! Their Christmas Magic Weekend and Christmas Display Lighting begins November 22 and runs through November 24 in Downtown Robinson. This Christmas celebration includes a lighting of the downtown displays, Santa sightings, food, games, train rides, a silent auction and a parade on Saturday. Make Robinson's Christmas Display Lighting the first stop on your Christmas tour of Downstate Illinois this season!
Visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows this holiday season to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their Way of Lights display. This drive-thru Christmas display tells the story of the birth of Christ in a breathtaking, 1.5 mile experience. You can also enjoy choir performances, Lego Block displays, a petting zoo, gift shop and restaurant during your free trip to the Shrine. Don't miss the 50th Way of Lights this year from November 22 through December 31 from 5pm to 9pm.
Try Lebanon's Winter Wonderland for a light display like you've never seen! Their installation includes animation, music and organizational displays — and much more — all organized and executed by volunteers! Lebanon's Winter Wonderland runs from November 22 to December 31 in Horner Park.
Centralia's Fantasy of Lights marries Christmas and "quirky" in their drive-thru display. In Centralia Foundation Park, you'll find Santa golfing and Rudolph sun-bathing! Catch this interesting lights display from 5pm-11pm from November 27 through December 31 this year. And, make sure to stop in and see Santa in his cottage!
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the beloved Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair! The fair features over 3 miles of lighted displays, available for viewing nightly from Thanksgiving through December 30. Bring your family during the first three weekends in December to also enjoy food and craft vendors, live music, train rides and displays and visits with Santa! The 20th Annual Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair promises to be the best one yet. Don't miss it!
What's better than White Squirrels and Christmas lights? Olney's Christmas Light Display guarantees that you'll see beautiful light displays — and maybe a White Squirrel or two! Olney's Light Display shines from Thanksgiving through December 31 in Olney City Park and is free for the public. Sip hot cocoa, listen to Christmas songs, and soak in the vibrant holiday season in Olney.
On November 29, Palestine's Leaverton Park comes alive with over 40,000 lights! Their lights display also includes fireworks, hot cocoa and cookies with Santa, live music by area church choirs, fireworks and food by the Lions club. The Leaverton Park Holiday Lighting Festival is festive fun for the whole family! Enjoy a night to remember when you make Palestine a stop on your holiday lights tour of Downstate Illinois.
Sure, you've seen the incredible historical displays at the American Farm Heritage Museum in Greenville, but have you seen their Christmas lights displays? The American Farm Heritage Museum's Christmas Lights Wonderland features an extensive collection of light boxes, Christmas lights and holiday scenes. While you browse the Museum's unique display, you can sip on hot chocolate and cookies from their Lil' Red Barn, or ride their North Pole Express on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. This season, make sure you stop by the Christmas Lights Wonderland between November 29 and December 31. Make this annual display your next family tradition!
Carlyle City Park hosts Carlyle Lake's Christmas Lights in the Park this year from November 29 to January 1. This annual event includes beautiful lights displays and more!
Flora's Christmas in the Park features festive holiday lights all month long throughout Charley Brown Park! Walk through the lighted display from November 30 through December 29.
Try heading to the Clark County Fairgrounds this holiday season for Marshall's Festival of Lights! One of the region's finest light displays, the Festival of Lights decorates the fairgrounds in glittering, glowing holiday cheer. Come drive through the fairgrounds and enjoy a night of bright, Christmas light in Marshall. The Festival of Lights runs from November 30 through December 31.
Breese is in on the holiday fun, too! Visit their Holiday Lights in the Park display at Northside Park from November 30 through December 31.
Coulterville's half-mile walk-through lights display features a million lights and over 400 Christmas figurines! It doesn't get much more festive than that. The Coulterville Holiday Light Display also includes a walk-through version of the game, "Candyland," food, crafts and visits from Santa and friends. Bring the whole family from December 1 through December 30 to help usher in the holiday season.
Waterloo's Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony may be young, but it's 4th Annual event this year is well worth a visit! Witness the lighting of the "official" Waterloo Christmas Tree while drinking hot chocolate with the whole family. The Christmas Tree Lighting happens in Downtown Waterloo on December 5.
The Village of Neoga invites everyone to help them decorate the community tree, located just off the four-way stop on Rt. 45. Bring your decorations, a warm pair of gloves, and let your creative spirit run wild! After the tree is decorated, Santa will arrive in time to light the tree and visit with all the children. The Neoga Community Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Comes to Town event happens this year on December 7. You don't want to be late!
Maryville introduces a bit of competition into their holiday celebrations with a Holiday Lighting Contest on December 17. Throughout the Village of Maryville, homes, businesses and other establishments compete in a holiday lighting extravaganza. Drive through to find your favorite light display of the season! Downstate Illinois Has Plenty of Holiday Light Display Options! There you have it! A list of Downstate Illinois's most anticipated holiday lights displays in 2019. You're sure to find an event on this list that brings your holiday spirit to life. Which holiday lights event are you most excited to attend this year? Let us know in the comments, or tag us in your photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! While you're there, give us a follow so you never miss an #ILSouth update. Happy Holidays!
SUBSCRIBE
VISITORS GUIDE
BLOG