The tradition of Candlestick Lane in Urbana will celebrate 60 years of holiday cheer
Candlestick Lane opening night set for Dec. 9 with traditional lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Urbana’s Candlestick Lane will again bring Christmas cheer to fans all over the area. It is set to illuminate for the first night in 2023 on Saturday, Dec. 9. At 6 p.m., Candlestick Lane will commence the “opening” of the lane, with each house lighting separately. In years past, Santa and Frosty have been in attendance. The street is blocked off to cars until every house is lit and for an hour following the lighting. The lane will then be illuminated every night through New Years Eve, from dusk to 10 p.m.
The annual tradition has stayed strong for the last 60 years thanks to the dedicated residents of this east Urbana neighborhood.
Note that Candlestick Lane is not actually the name of any street in Urbana — that would be Grant Place and its surroundings. The nearest major cross streets just north of Candlestick Lane, for reference, are Washington Street and Philo Road.
Streets include:
- Eastern Drive from Cottage Grove Avenue to Cole Place
- Fairlawn Drive from Cottage Grove Avenue to Patton Place
- Grant Place from Fairlawn Drive to Eastern Avenue
To get there: Take Philo Road to Fairlawn, go west. Grant Place is located between Fairlawn and Eastern in Urbana.
If you’ve never been to Candlestick Lane, it is memorable for how many of the houses participate (more than 20), putting up elaborate Christmas lights that vary from classic elegance to inflatables to fun characters and more. On some nights, you might encounter Santa or Frosty out on the street as cars drive past, passing out toys or candy canes.
The tradition started in 1963 when Illinois Power Company decided to hold a Christmas light decorating contest. Grant Place residents won the competition and decided to share the $100 prize on candlestick decorations for each home. Since then, homes on Grant Place have decked the halls and their homes with lights and holiday décor during the weeks before Christmas.
Here’s a video of Candlestick Lane from a previous year:
Will there be a lighting ceremony?
YES! The tradition of Candlestick Lane kicks off with an exciting ceremony, which unfortunately did not happen in 2020 or 2021, but returned in 2022. At 6 p.m. on Dec. 9, houses will be lit one by one; in years past, Santa and Frosty have been in attendance. The street will be closed during the ceremony so visitors can walk the street (re-opening to cars around 7 p.m.).
The ceremony has previously involved a color guard offering a presentation and then two “torch bearers” strolling down the block as each house takes turns lighting up.
Looking for other lights in Champaign-Urbana and beyond? Check out our Amazing Lights article here.
Looking for more? Subscribe to our Home for the Holidays Newsletter. Want more ideas for holiday (or everyday) fun? Check out our Events Calendar.
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