Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Events and Activities

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

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.

Thanksgiving

Where to Find a Turkey Trot, Virtually and In-Person, in the Champaign-Urbana Area

For some families, turkey trots are an annual tradition – a fun way to make memories. Turkey trots are always family-friendly, sometimes even FREE (or with a suggested donation, like a canned good) and tons of fun. This year will be a combination of virtual turkey trots you can run on your own with your family and in-person turkey trots with staggered departure times to keep groups at a minimum.

How to Get a Local Turkey for your Thanksgiving Table in Champaign-Urbana

As 2020 has so far proven to be anything but typical, local businesses are already taking reservations for Thanksgiving turkeys. Find out how to get a local turkey of your own this year.

Thanksgiving Dinner: Where to Order Takeout in Champaign-Urbana

Don’t feel like cooking this Thanksgiving? Here are options for where to get Thanksgiving dinner takeout in Champaign-Urbana.

25 Things to Do During Thanksgiving Break in Champaign-Urbana

Day off of school, travel plans canceled, weather getting colder… we have a list of more than 25 things you can go do during the week of Thanksgiving in Champaign-Urbana.

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 – coming soon

Looking for houses with the best Christmas light displays in the Champaign-Urbana metro area? Check out our list from 2019 of Amazing Christmas Lights Around Champaign-Urbana and Beyond 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!

Thursday, November 12, 2020

DSC Tree of Hope Kick-Off & Tree Lighting Ceremony - Live on Facebook

Time: 4:30 pm

Friday, November 20, 2020

Festival of Trees - Virtual

Time: All Day

Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend

Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre Gibson City

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Festival of Trees - Virtual

Time: All Day

Farmer City Christmas Parade

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Downtown Farmer City Farmer City

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend

Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre Gibson City

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend

Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre Gibson City

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

Everything Holiday for Champaign-Urbana

Shopping for Gifts

Thanksgiving

Christmas Lights

Amazing Christmas Lights Around Champaign-Urbana and Beyond – coming soon

Traditions and Memories

Chanukah

All Upcoming Holiday Season Events

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Friday, November 20, 2020

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Friday, November 27, 2020

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Friday, December 4, 2020

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Monday, December 7, 2020

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Friday, December 11, 2020

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Monday, December 14, 2020

Tuesday, December 15, 2020