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. Click on the links for more information on each topic — we have lots of exciting things to share with you in the coming months!

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.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Meals – Where to Eat

Take a break this Thanksgiving! 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 dining on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving – Where to Get a Local Turkey

If you’d like to order a turkey from a local farmer OR a local dining establishment, we have a list ready for you. Don’t delay on these: many sell out completely well in advance of the big day.

Kicking Off the Holiday Season

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.

Christmas Parades a Short Drive from Champaign-Urbana

We love parades! Find a list of all of the holiday parades happening a short drive from Champaign-Urbana, and mark your calendars for our very own Parade of Lights!

Chanukah – How to Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights in Champaign-Urbana

Chanukah happens Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 this year. Learn more and find out how to celebrate.

What you Need to Know about Chanukah

Learn all about the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Shopping for Gifts and Supporting Local Restaurants

Holiday Meals – Where to Eat

Skip the kitchen work this holiday season. Find out where you can order a holiday meal ahead of time and a 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.

Holiday Bucket List

Here is our list of holiday “bucket list” to-dos, customized for Champaign-Urbana area families. Pick one, do all 35, or something in between, but whatever you do, have a wonderful holiday season making festive memories with your crew.

Make Memories, Not Clutter: 50+ 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.

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.

Traditions and Memories

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.

Where to Find Santa in Champaign-Urbana

Where to find Santa this year – and maybe even get your picture taken – in Champaign-Urbana and beyond.

Meals with Santa around Champaign-Urbana

Seeing Santa is one thing, but the experience of a meal with the big guy himself is one to remember! Many require registration this year; find out where they are and how to sign up ahead of time.

Polar Express Fun in Champaign-Urbana

There’s more to the Polar Express than the famous Monticello train rides. We list ways to experience the magic of Polar Express in Champaign-Urbana, in ways that won’t break your budget.

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!

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk

Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Central Park Decatur

Meet Santa Claus at The Virginia Theatre

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Virginia Theatre Champaign

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Riggs Christmas Market

Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Riggs Beer Company Urbana

Winter Nights at Prairie Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Prairie Farm Champaign

The Nutcracker

Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Urbana

Friday, December 3, 2021

Night Lights in the Garden

Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve Mahomet

Riggs Christmas Market

Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Riggs Beer Company Urbana

Holiday Showcase and Holiday GLOW Opening Night

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Allerton Park and Retreat Center Monticello

Santa at the Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
No Bad Days Farm Shelbyville

Wild Lights at the Zoo

Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Miller Park Zoo Bloomington

Willowdale Winter Wonderland Opens

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Willowdale Subdivision St. Joseph

Winter Nights at Prairie Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Prairie Farm Champaign

Danville Night of Lights Holiday Parade

Time: 6:00 pm
Downtown Danville Danville

Light Up Rantoul Christmas Parade

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Downtown Rantoul

Mahomet Village Christmas

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Downtown Mahomet Mahomet

The Nutcracker

Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Urbana

Season of Light

Time: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College Champaign

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Arcola's Santa Parade

Time: All Day
Downtown Arcola arcola

Breakfast with Santa

Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Yoder’s Kitchen Arthur

Drive-Through Breakfast with Santa

Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Douglas County Museum Tuscola

Eat Donuts with Santa in Mahomet - Registration Required

Time: 8:00 am - 11:45 am
Mahomet-Seymour High School Mahomet

Morning with Santa

Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
The Savoy Recreation Center Savoy

Christmas in Homer Town Wide Celebration

Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Homer Village Hall Homer

Cookies with Santa - Registration required

Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Curtis Orchard Champaign

Jingle Jog One Mile Fun Run/Walk

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Downtown Arcola arcola

Visit Santa Claus at Lincoln Square

Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lincoln Square Mall Urbana

Breakfast With Santa - Registration Required

Time: 9:30 am
Mansfield United Methodist Church Mansfield

Holiday Showcase and Holiday GLOW

Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Allerton Park and Retreat Center Monticello

Lunch with Santa on the Train - Tickets Required

Time: 10:00 am - 2:15 pm
Monticello Railway Museum Monticello

Sidney Hometown Christmas

Time: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Downtown Sidney Sidney

Santa's Spectacles

Time: 11:00 am
Mahomet-Seymour High School Mahomet

Tolono Holiday Tree Lighting

Time: 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
Downtown Tolono Tolono

Tuscola Christmastown Parade

Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuscola Community Building Tuscola

2021 Monticello Chamber Christmas Parade

Time: 11:30 am
Monticello Courthouse Square Historic District Monticello

Kids' Shop at Yo-Yo's - Registration Required

Time: 12:00 pm - 6:30 pm
YoYo’s Mahomet

Santa's Spectacles

Time: 1:00 pm
Mahomet-Seymour High School Mahomet

Mistletoe Market Urbana

Time: 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lincoln Square Urbana

Riggs Christmas Market

Time: 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Riggs Beer Company Urbana

The Nutcracker

Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Urbana

Winter Wassail - Registration Required

Time: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
St. Joseph Church of Christ St. Joseph

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

Thanksgiving

Kicking Off the Holiday Season

Shopping for Gifts and Supporting Local Restaurants

Holiday Meals – Where to Eat

Christmas Lights

Traditions and Memories

Holiday Giving and Volunteering in Champaign-Urbana

Holiday Food Favorites You Can Find Around Champaign-Urbana

Meals with Santa around Champaign-Urbana

All Upcoming Holiday Season Events

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Friday, December 3, 2021

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Monday, December 6, 2021

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Friday, December 10, 2021

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Sunday, December 12, 2021