Gigantic Roundup of Holiday Season Fun for Families, with Special Considerations for This Unique Year
Make holiday memories kids won’t forget with lights, hot chocolate and all kinds of magic in Champaign-Urbana and beyond
There’s something magical about the holiday season in Champaign-Urbana, for kids and parents alike. The twinkling lights, the fresh snow (if we’re lucky), and the excitement in the air all make this a memorable time of year.
This is our complete guide to all things holiday-season in Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities. We will keep adding posts, events and updates as they are announced, so check back often; all events are also listed on our events calendar, presented by CIBM Bank. Click on the links for more information on each topic — we have lots of exciting things to share with you in the coming months!
As your family makes plans to head out to an event this holiday season, we encourage you to check with event organizers to confirm details – and remember to pack your masks! This post will contain both virtual and in-person events.
Also, some topics do not have links yet as the information has not been finalized. Check back again soon!
Thanks to University of Illinois Athletics for presenting this post. Celebrate the holidays by getting each family member their own Illini package. Tiny Illini, Oskee Pet Club, and Fighting Illini Kids Club all start at $35. Get your package today!
Everything Holiday for Champaign-Urbana
Pin this page, post this to Facebook, save the link to your homescreen, or bookmark this link because this is one page you’re going to want to come back to over and over again for the holidays. Click on each link below to read what we’ve taken the time to put together for you and your family. Some topics do not have links yet as the information has not been finalized. We do our best to include links for specific events so that you can follow along with them on social media and make sure there are no last-minute cancellations or changes.
Holiday Events – A Complete List
If you are trying to make each day count this holiday season, this section is for you — click here. The holiday season gets busy, so we have done the planning for you! Be sure to check out our calendar to see a different activity each day that your family will enjoy. Note: we do include popular annual events in this list that may be cancelled in 2020, for your reference.
Shopping for Gifts and Supporting Local Restaurants
Holiday Meals To-Go
Order those holiday meals and take a break from cooking this Christmas! We have the list on where you can find complete meals to go that you order ahead of time, as well as a comprehensive list of which restaurants are open for takeout on Christmas Day.
Shopping Local in Champaign-Urbana
You might not think about fun when you think about shopping. For some, it’s a chore. For others, it’s an enjoyable part of the season. Be sure to check out our shop local trail, sharing specials from now all the way through Christmas.
Make Memories, Not Clutter: 35+ Experience Gifts for Kids
Create memories, not clutter, with the gift of an experience this holiday season! We’ve got pro tips for you if you’d like to focus more on memories and less on STUFF this year.
Christmas Lights
Eight Great Places to See Holiday Lights in Central Illinois
Are you willing to drive all over Central Illinois for good holiday lights shows? Don’t worry, so are we! We’ve put together a list of the top Christmas light shows across the Central Illinois region, including Peoria, Mattoon, Shelbyville, Urbana, and more. Most of these are permanent, annual fixtures in their communities. All of these are drive-through lights displays.
Amazing Christmas Lights Around Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
Looking for houses with the best Christmas light displays in the Champaign-Urbana metro area? Check out our list to help you plan a night with your family that’s fun, festive and free! So pack some snacks, fill up a thermos with hot cocoa (or a sippy cup with chocolate milk for the toddler crowd) and head out on a mission to find the best decorated houses!
Holiday Lights at the Zoo: Where to Go Within Driving Distance of Champaign-Urbana
We’ve found holiday zoo lights at most of the zoos, large and small, within a reasonable driving distance of Champaign-Urbana. Almost all holiday zoo lights events will have limited attendance, along with other protocols related to COVID-19 to help keep all as safe as possible.
Traditions and Memories
Drive-Thru Holiday Events in the Champaign-Urbana Area
If you’re looking for safe events where your family doesn’t even leave the car, we have plenty from which to choose this winter holiday season.
Holiday Giving and Volunteering in Champaign-Urbana
Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit quite like giving back to your community! And there are many ways to do that this holiday season in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Holiday Food Favorites You Can Find Around Champaign-Urbana
We’ve searched high and low to find some of Champaign-Urbana’s best small business treats.
Make Family Memories at Christmas Tree Farms Near Champaign-Urbana
There is nothing quite like heading to a Champaign-Urbana area Christmas tree farm to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. Whether you want to head out to the field and cut your own Christmas tree or you prefer to choose from a selection of fresh cut Christmas trees, our handy guide will help you find the best Christmas tree farms near you. And many of the area farms offer unique experiences to make your visit even more memorable.
Where to Find Santa in Champaign-Urbana
Where to wave to Santa this year – and maybe even get your picture taken in Champaign-Urbana and beyond.
Polar Express Fun in Champaign-Urbana
How to have Polar Express fun even if you are missing the train this year. We will list ways to experience the magic of Polar Express in Champaign-Urbana, in ways that won’t break your budget.
Christmas Parades a Short Drive from Champaign-Urbana
This post covers traditional parades that will happen in 2020, a virtual parade, and lists some parades cancelled for 2020, too.
Chanukah
How to Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights in Champaign-Urbana
Chanukah happens December 10-18 this year. Learn more and find out how to celebrate.
How will you be celebrating the holidays? No matter how you choose to spend the season, we hope it is full of love, light, laughter, and joy.
All Upcoming Holiday Season Events
We’ve made it simple for you to scroll what is happening, in upcoming order, near you. Check it out!
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Free “To Grandmother’s House We Go,” Craft Bag Giveaway!
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Museum of the Grand Prairie Mahomet
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Gingerbread House Craft with Champaign Public Library – LIVE Online!
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Friday, December 4, 2020
Holiday Showcase Opening Night - SOLD OUT
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Allerton Park and Retreat Center Monticello
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre Gibson City
Drive-Through Santa Visits
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sangamon on Main Mahomet
Laura Ingalls Wilder's Christmas Memories with Tolono Library - Virtual
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Drive-Thru Meet & Greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Keller Williams Realty Office Champaign
Jingle Jog One Mile Fun Run/Walk
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Downtown Arcola arcola
Kids' Shop
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
YoYo’s Mahomet
Mack Glass Christmas Tree Build
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Downtown Champaign Champaign
Santa Comes to Homer
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Homer Caboose Homer
Horse & Carriage Rides in Campustown
Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Campustown – Healey Champaign
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Tuscola
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Tuscola Tuscola
Take-and-Make Ornaments
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Mahomet Public Library Mahomet
Santa Claus is Comin' to Campustown
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Campustown Champaign
To Grandmother's House We Go - Virtual Edition
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Arthur Country Lighted Christmas Parade
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Downtown Arthur Arthur
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre Gibson City
Pathway of Lights
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Aikman Wildlife Adventure Arcola
Santa & Grinch Pictures via Zoom hosted by Leaders for Life Martial Arts
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Luminaries of Hope and Live Nativity
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cunningham Children’s Home Urbana
The History of Santa Claus & a Special Visit with Civil War Santa - Virtual - hosted by the Museum of the Grand Prairie
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Holiday in Whoville at Home
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Virginia Theatre Champaign
Kids' Shop
Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
YoYo’s Mahomet
Live Nativity Drive Thru and Virtual Walk at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Champaign
Lutheran Church of Mahomet Live Nativity
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Lutheran Church of Mahomet Mahomet
Trinity Lutheran Church Urbana Live Nativity
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church Urbana
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Deadline to Order a Winter Holiday Meal to Go
Time: All Day
Bring Home Homer for the Holidays
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Light It Up - Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
North Park, Gibson City Gibson City
Trees on the Tees (Pre Registration Required)
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hickory Point Golf Course Forsyth
Friday, December 11, 2020
Holiday Cookie Contest
Time: All Day
Bring Home Homer for the Holidays
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Light It Up - Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
North Park, Gibson City Gibson City
Santa's Drive-Thru Workshop
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Champaign County Fairgrounds Urbana
Drive-Through Santa Visits
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sangamon on Main Mahomet
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Santa's in a HOLE Lotta Trouble!
Time: 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Industrial Donut Savoy
Santa Video Calls hosted by Monticello Chamber
Time: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Santa's Drive-Thru Workshop
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Champaign County Fairgrounds Urbana
Horse & Carriage Rides in Campustown - Must Pre-Register
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Campustown – Healey Champaign
Santa Claus is Comin' to Midtown
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Midtown Champaign Champaign
Santa Parade through Mahomet Neighborhoods
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Village of Tilton First Annual Christmas Parade
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Tilton Community Center Tilton
Pathway of Lights
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Aikman Wildlife Adventure Arcola
Luminaries of Hope and Live Nativity
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cunningham Children’s Home Urbana
Monday, December 14, 2020
Letters from Santa - Sign Up by December 1
Time: All Day
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Santa’s Prairie Fields Drive-Thru
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Prairie Fields Neighborhood Savoy
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Fighting Illini Drive-Up Holiday Toy Drive
Time: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
State Farm Center Champaign
Selfie with Santa
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Danville Stadium Danville
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Drive-Thru Breakfast with Santa - Reservations Required by Dec 16
Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Rantoul Youth Center Rantoul
Holiday Food Distribution
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Round Barn Banquet Hall Champaign
Night Light for Santa Craft - Virtual with Allerton Public Library (Registration Required)
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Santa Stop 2020 (Registration Required by 12/4)
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Champaign County Fairgrounds Urbana
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Santa Claus is Comin' to Downtown Champaign
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Downtown Champaign Champaign
Santa is Coming to Monticello
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Forest Preserve Park Monticello
Farmer City Santa House
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Downtown Farmer City Farmer City
Christmas Light parade
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Downtown St. Joseph St. Joseph
Pathway of Lights
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Aikman Wildlife Adventure Arcola
Rantoul Stationary Parade/ Christmas Scene Drive-Thru
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hap Parker Family Aquatic Center Rantoul
Luminaries of Hope and Live Nativity
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cunningham Children’s Home Urbana
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Bringing Nutcracker Magic to You - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Clark Park Light up the Night
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Clark Park Champaign
Drive-Thru Live Nativity
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Vineyard Church Urbana
Trees on the Tees (Pre Registration Required)
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hickory Point Golf Course Forsyth
Monday, December 21, 2020
Winter Solstice Walk - Online
Time: All Day
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Christmas Eve Jingle 2020
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Virtual Zoom Kwanzaa Celebration
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Lightworks 2020
Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Peterson Park Mattoon
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
See Ya, 2020 - FREE New Year's Craft Bag
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Museum of the Grand Prairie Mahomet
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Have a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve
Time: All Day
Happy Noon Year Virtual Dance Party with Children's Museum of Illinois
Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Noon Year's Eve with the Urbana Free Library - Virtual (Registration Required)
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Kwanzaa Through Kuumba: In-Person Event
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Illinois terminal Champaign
Friday, January 1, 2021
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Kwanzaa Program
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Looking for all kinds of info for the 2020 holiday season in Champaign-Urbana?
- Champaign-Urbana Holiday Meals To Go
- Amazing Christmas Lights Around Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Holiday Giving and Volunteering in Champaign-Urbana
- Holiday Food Favorites You Can Find Around Champaign-Urbana
- What You Need to Know about Hanukkah
- Where to Find Santa in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Make Memories, Not Clutter: 35+ Experience Gifts for Kids
- Christmas Parades a Short Drive from Champaign-Urbana
- Drive-Thru Holiday Events in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- 8+ Great Places to See Holiday Lights in Central Illinois
- Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Events and Activities
- Holiday Shopping and Eating in Champaign-Urbana