8 Great Places to See Holiday Lights in Central Illinois

Spectacular holiday lights shows are prevalent across Central Illinois

Drive beyond Champaign-Urbana to take in some magnificent light shows this holiday season

Are you willing to drive all over Central Illinois for good holiday lights shows? Don’t worry, we do this every year! We’ve put together a short list of the top Christmas light shows across the greater Central Illinois region, including Peoria, Mattoon, Shelbyville, Urbana, Chatham and more.

Most of these listed are permanent, annual fixtures in their communities. These shows are more or less within a 90-minute drive of Champaign-Urbana, in every direction.

(Wondering about holiday lights closer to home? Check out our Amazing Christmas Lights around Champaign-Urbana local roundup, featuring displays in Champaign, Urbana, Paxton, Monticello, Mahomet and more.)

Candlestick Lane, Urbana

What: A community tradition in Champaign-Urbana for more than 50 years, this is what happens when a determined group of neighbors create magic for area children — and never let it go. This amazing collection of modest homes will wow you with their holiday spirit and creativity.
When: Opening night is traditionally the second Saturday night in December, which is Dec. 14 this year. The display is lit every evening through Christmas, or some years, through Jan. 1.
Where: Located at Grant Place in Urbana. Candlestick Lane is not a real street. Take Washington Street to Cottage Grove (south), turn onto Eastern Avenue, then to Grant Place. Go slow, some people walk this street.
Cost? Free

East Peoria’s Winter Wonderland (FOLEPI)

What: Known as “Folepi” to locals, the Festival of Lights in East Peoria’s Winter Wonderland lights display has been a staple for more than 30 years. It is set to music — tune your vehicle’s radio to 88.1 for holiday music to accompany your drive — and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the the popular ski jumper feature. Displays include lighted arches and circus animals, the Western town, Space Land, the Candy Cane Factory, Prehistoric Land and more. The Festival’s mascot is the wooden soldier Folepi, whose name serves as an acronym for “Festival of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois.”
When: Opens Friday, Nov. 29, and runs nightly through Jan. 5; 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; beginning Christmas Eve, all nights are 5-9 p.m. For traffic updates, check the Festival of Lights Facebook page. It’s highly recommended to avoid Friday and Saturday, if possible.
Where: About 1.5 hours from Champaign-Urbana. I-74 West to East Peoria, Exit 96. For more information including directions, go to the Folepi website.
Cost? Most vehicles are $10, except for small buses ($30), and full-size charter buses which are $150 (cash, debit and credit cards accepted).

Light Up McFerren Park

What: Drive around McFerren Park and see graceful jumping reindeer, candy canes, Santa and a manger.
When: Opening on Nov. 23 and running until the new year (typically), from dusk until 11 p.m.
Where: Located at McFerren Park in Hoopeston, about an hour northeast of Champaign-Urbana. Anyone coming into the park will have to enter and exit through the south entrance off of Elm Street.
Cost? Free

Chatham Light up the Park

What: Drive through more than a mile of brilliant holiday lights in Chatham Community Park. Includes more than 100,000 lights, sculptures, arches, Santa, and more.
When: Open Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 29 through Dec. 25, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Chatham is a suburb of Springfield, located just south of the capitol city. About 90 minutes from Champaign. The event takes place in the Chatham Community Park.
Cost? $5/carload suggested donation. There are special bike and pedestrian hours too.

Celebration of Lights

What: A drive-through holiday lights experience located in LaSalle, near Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.
When: Nov. 16 through Jan. 1, 5-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5-10 p.m. for the week before Christmas
Where: City of LaSalle, 90 minutes from C-U
Cost? The display is free to view but donations are always welcome.

Holiday Lights — Central Illinois South Loop

Start in Champaign-Urbana, stop in Mattoon, head to Effingham, next over to Shelbyville and back to C-U.
Total drive time: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Effingham Wonderland in Lights

What: Drive through Community Park in Effingham for a magical display that lights up beginning Thanksgiving night. Look for all kinds of larger-than-life displays. This year, there will be one special walk-through night on Nov. 27.
When: Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving night) through Jan. 1, 5-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: Community Park in Effingham. Effingham is located just over an hour from Champaign-Urbana on I-57. Bonus: stop at the Firefly Grill before you enjoy the lights for a meal you will love.
Cost? Free

Mattoon Lightworks

What: Drive through Mattoon’s beautiful Peterson Park to see a vast array of standard and animated holiday light displays. In recent years, new displays and LED lights have been added. Like Effingham, Mattoon Lightworks will be holding a special one-night walk-through event prior to official opening night, this year on Nov. 14.
When: Open Nov. 15-Dec. 25; Sunday-Thursday from 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 5-10 p.m.
Where: Peterson Park, Mattoon. About an hour south of Champaign-Urbana. Take I-57 South, exit 190 B.
Cost? Free admission with donations accepted.

Shelbyville Festival of Lights

What: The display includes more than 500 lighted scenes with several lighted arches. Includes traditional displays like manger scenes and Santa with his reindeer, and some not-so-traditional such as a large lighted Menorah, and Santa riding a motorcycle. Watch this video before you go.
When: Open Nov. 22 through Dec. 29; 5-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They’ve also added a walk-through event on Nov. 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Forest Park, Shelbyville. About 1 hour, 20 minutes southwest of Champaign-Urbana.
Cost? Free admission with donations accepted at the end.

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