Holiday Season Parades in the Champaign-Urbana Area

Holiday parades for families in Champaign-Urbana and beyond

We have all the Christmas and holiday season parades that kids will love

We’ve put together a list of all the Christmas holiday parades in Champaign-Urbana and beyond for the 2024 season.

The following parades can be found across Champaign, McLean, Ford, and Iroquois counties, so don’t fret if you miss one. Generally, they’re within an hour of Champaign-Urbana.

Please note that some parades may be cancelled or postponed in the event of inclement weather, so when in doubt check first.

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Mahomet Volleyball State Championship Parade & Celebration

Location: Middletown Prairie Elementary School, Mahomet
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Volleyball State Championship celebration will be this evening at 6:30p in the Main Gymnasium at at Middletown Prairie Elementary School. The parade will begin at 6:00p at the High School and caravan to MPE with an escort from Mahomet P.D. and Corn Belt Fire. The parade will leave the High School, turning south on Crowley Road to State Street. The group will then proceed east on State Street to Division Street, south on Division Street to Main Street and east on Main Street through downtown before heading south on 47 to 150 and 150 east to Middletown Prairie. They will park and…read more…

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Gibson City Christmas Parade

Location: Gibson City, Gibson City
Time: 6:30 pm
Gibson City brings will again hold their annual lighted holiday parade this year, with a festive parade happening in downtown Gibson City. Retail and food vendor’s, downtown shopping, kid zone, lighted parade and a visit from Santa.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Farmer City Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown Farmer City, Farmer City
Time: 2:00 pm
One of the largest Christmas parades in central Illinois with marching bands, holiday floats, Shriners, antique cars and tractors, and much more!

Friday, November 29, 2024

City of Watseka Annual Lighted Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown Watseka, Watseka
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Find more parade updates here: https://www.facebook.com/WatsekaAreaChamber

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Paxton Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown Paxton, Paxton
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
The parade begins at the intersection of Taft and Orleans streets. The parade will move east on Orleans Street before turning onto Market Street. It ends at the intersection of Market and Pine streets. This year's theme is "Magic of Paxton." Make plans to spend the afternoon downtown. Eat at a local restaurant, stop into the darling shops and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. Sponsored by P.R.I.D.E. in Paxton and Paxton Christmas Committee

Champaign Center Parade of Lights

Location: Downtown Champaign, Champaign
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Parade of Lights in Downtown Champaign The shop local holiday season officially kicks off on Saturday, November 30, on Small Business Saturday in the heart of Downtown Champaign! Come to downtown Champaign early to enjoy more festivities including an indoor market, horse and carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, and more! Pre-parade activities start at 1 pm. The theme of this year's parade is Candy Cane Lane More information at www.champaigncenter.com/parade-of-lights/. Stay up-to-date on the event and downtown happenings by liking and following @champaigncenter on social media! The parade will start promptly at 6 p.m. This is a free…read more…

Sunday, December 1, 2024

LeRoy Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown, LeRoy
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
LeRoy Christmas Parade will be Sunday December 1 at 2:00 p.m. Sponsored by Le Roy Chamber of Commerce In year's past, the parade will line up at 1pm and step off at 2pm starting at the corner of Mill & Center Streets continuing down Center Street to Main Street. For parade updates, check here: https://www.facebook.com/leroyilchamber

Milford Christmas Parade

Location: Village of Milford, Milford
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Parade begins at 6 p.m. Theme "A Veteran's Christmas" Meet & Greet with Santa 4:30-5:45 at village hall. Horse & Carriage Rides 3-5pm at city hall. $5/person

Friday, December 6, 2024

A Christmas Carol Downtown Event

Location: Downtown Sullivan, Sullivan
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Christmas Traditions downtown Sullivan! Visits with Santa, kids activities, food trucks, shopping carriage rides and more. Lights On Parade starts at 6pm.

Danville Night of Lights Holiday Parade

Location: Downtown Danville, Danville
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Get in the Christmas Spirit with the Danville Night of Lights Parade!

Tuscola Christmas Parade

Location: Tuscola Ervin Park, Tuscola
Time: 6:00 pm
Tuscola's First Annual Lighted Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, December 6 at 6 p.m. Lineup at 5:30 p.m. at Ervin Park. More info here.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Sidney Hometown Christmas

Location: Downtown Sidney, Sidney
Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 pm
Head to Sidney for Sidney Hometown Christmas on Saturday, December 7th, from 8am - 9:30pm. Breakfast: Sidney United Church (Donations Accepted) 8am-10am Community Building: Shop at Home: 10am - 3pm Food trucks: La Paloma Downtown Sidney: Christmas 3 Mile Run: 3:30pm (Click here to register) Christmas Parade: 5pm FREE Carriage Rides by Merrybeth Farms: 5:30pm - 9:30pm Santa Claus and crafts at the Sidney Community Library 5:30-7:30pm Hot chocolate bar & cookies at the Legion Building For more info, check out the Sidney Improvement Group on Facebook.

Downtown Effingham Hometown Christmas

Location: Downtown Effingham, Effingham
Time: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Lighted Christmas parade, live reindeer, visit with Santa, Carriage rides, cookie decorating, Tractor Train Rides and so much more!

Monticello Christmas Parade

Location: Monticello Courthouse Square Historic District, Monticello
Time: 11:30 am
The parade is in Downtown Monticello on December 7, 2024 stepping off at 11:30 AM. You are invited to participate and help make this a fun event for the entire community. The 2024 parade theme is: "CHRISTMAS IN CANDYLAND” The parade route will be the same as last year, north on Hamilton to Center, west on Center to State, south on State back to the school. A map will be published here soon.

Weldon Village Christmas

Location: Weldon Village Hall, Weldon
Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Head to Weldon for their Annual Weldon Village Christmas!! They will kick off the holiday season with a LIGHTED Christmas Parade!

Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown Sidney, Sidney
Time: 5:00 pm
As part of Sidney Hometown Christmas: Downtown Sidney: Christmas Parade: 5pm For more info, check out the Sidney Improvement Group on Facebook.

Rantoul Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown, Rantoul
Time: 5:00 pm
Rantoul kicks off the Christmas season with a parade! This fun event is hosted by the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce!

Village of Tilton Christmas "Night of Lights" Parade

Location: Tilton Fire Station, Tilton
Time: 6:00 pm
Welcome Santa to Tilton!

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Lighted Christmas Parade

Location: Downtown St. Joseph, St. Joseph
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Lighted Christmas parade in St. Joe!

Not all parades had public information available at the publishing time of this post, so please send us information as it is released and we will update. You can add new events to our calendar here.

Looking for more? Subscribe to our Holiday Newsletter. Want more ideas for holiday (or everyday) fun? Check out our Event Calendar.