Area Tree Lighting Ceremonies Make Holidays Bright
A holiday season favorite, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies are happening in Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities.
There’s something nostalgic about a big Christmas tree in the middle of the town square, and fortunately for us many of the local communities in and around Champaign-Urbana not only put these up but hold fantastically fun tree lighting ceremonies to kick off the holiday season.
We’ve rounded up a list of all the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies that we know about here below. Many of these tree lightings coincide with things like parades, holiday-themed events and Santa… don’t forget Santa!
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Friday, November 29
Paxton Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7pm
Paxton will be lighting it’s downtown Christmas tree at 7pm at the intersection of Market and State. This kicks off a weekend of Christmas fun in Paxton as their Christmas Parade will be happening the next day on Saturday, November 30 at 1:30pm.
Paxton is located 30 miles north of Champaign-Urbana
Saturday, November 30
Light Up LeRoy at 4:30pm
Fun activities kick off in LeRoy at 3pm, like caroling, hot chocolate and visits with Mrs. Claus, in LeRoy as it celebrates the start of the season. The community comes together to light the trees in Kiwanis and How parks at 4:30pm.
LeRoy is located 35 miles northwest of Champaign-Urbana, headed towards Bloomington-Normal
Villa Grove Christmas Tree Lighting Festival at 6:30pm
The Christmas Tree Lighting Festival is coming to Villa Grove and Santa is even bringing one of his reindeer! Activities happen from 3-7pm and the event takes place right on Main Street.
Villa Grove is located 20 miles south of Champaign-Urbana
Downtown Champaign Christmas Tree Lighting at 7pm
Champaign lights its beautiful tree at the One Main Plaza right in Downtown Champaign in front of Big Grove Tavern at 7pm immediately following the Parade of Lights, which happens from 6-7pm. There will be caroling and other activities all day in Downtown Champaign.
Sunday, December 1
Tree Lighting at Clark Park at 6pm
Gather with your neighbors at Clark Park for the annual tree lighting. Come out for caroling, trolley rides around the park, hot cocoa, and the lighting of the tree! Please bring a snack to share if you wish. Donations will be accepted to help fund Clark Park events throughout the year.
Friday, December 6
Mahomet Village Christmas Tree Lighting at 6pm
Celebrate the season on Main Street in Mahomet with a night of fun (including carriage rides) and Santa’s arrival at 6pm. New this year, Mahomet will light the Christmas tree upon Santa’s arrival.
Mahomet is located 10 miles west of Champaign-Urbana
Light Up Rantoul at 6pm
Rantoul’s Christmas parade has a focus on lights this year as they “Light Up Rantoul”. The parade begins at 6pm and the tree lighting will follow the conclusion of the parade. There will be other activities happening during that evening, too!
Rantoul is located 18 miles north of Champaign-Urbana
Saturday, December 7
Tolono Tree Lighting at 5:30pm
Come out to the corner of Bourne and Main streets for the tree lighting ceremony in Tolono! Activities happen all day long leading up to the big lighting event.
Tolono is located 10 miles south of Champaign-Urbana
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