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Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Events and Activities

Gigantic roundup of holiday season fun for families

 

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.

Holiday Events and Activities

Chambanamoms thanks Allerton Park & Retreat Center for presenting this comprehensive guide.

Take some time to slow down and make memories at Allerton this holiday season! Shop, dine, or take a tour in the decorated Mansion, stroll through the illuminated gardens of Holiday Glow, treat the kids to Sweets with Santa or celebrate the season at the Winter Solstice Bonfire! A variety of workshops are also planned (family crafting or girls’ night, anyone?!): wreath making, candle making, cookie decorating, and pasta making. (Note: Space is limited for some events.)

For more information: Website or Facebook 

Allerton glow
Visitors take in Holiday GLOW with winding pathways and the garden landscape lit up with holiday lights at Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello. The holiday tradition also features original creative artists’ light designs as a new feature.
Photo taken at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.
(Photo by Fred Zwicky / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

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.

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 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.

Lake of the Woods holiday season

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 the perfect Christmas tree. Whether you want to head out to the field and cut your own tree or you prefer to choose from a selection of fresh cut 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.

Holiday Parades in and around 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.

Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Shows, Concerts, Performances and More

Champaign-Urbana Christmas holiday performances range from single performance shows to those that run through the whole season such as plays, musicals, concerts, and of course the ballet.

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

Chanukah happens Dec. 25 – Jan. 1 in 2024 (and 2025!). Learn more and find out how to celebrate.

What You Need to Know about Chanukah

Learn all about the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Sinai Temple Showcase

Shopping for Gifts and Supporting Local Restaurants

Shop, Play, and Dine Locally this Holiday Season 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, as is enjoying festive food you don’t have to cook. Be sure to support Champaign-Urbana’s businesses, and read about local shopping and eating specials from Thanksgiving through Christmas.

Where to Eat or Pre-order Meals and Treats on Christmas Day

Here’s our list of where to eat out (or order ahead…or take-out) on Dec. 24 & 25 in Champaign-Urbana (not including fast food or coffee shops).

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 if you’d like to focus more on memories and less on STUFF this year.

Christmas flowers

Christmas Lights

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.

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.

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.

Amazing Christmas lights in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond.

Traditions and Memories

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.

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Holiday Giving and Volunteering in Champaign-Urbana

From donating toys or clothing to volunteering in some way, there are plenty of opportunities to give back this holiday season in Champaign-Urbana.

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.

Chicago Fun for Families during the Holiday Season

Chicago dials it up to 11 for the holidays. We set out to discover some big-city holiday highlights with the help of our readers.

10 Ideas for a Holiday Getaway to Indianapolis with Kids

Indianapolis comes alive during the holidays! We’ve listed some of our favorite attractions in and around the city, many of which have special events during the holiday season.

Virginia Christmas

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’ll have a list for you. Don’t delay on these: many sell out completely well in advance of the big day.

Thanksgiving Meals – Where to Eat

Take a break this Thanksgiving! We have the details for where you can order complete meals to go ahead of time, where you can pre-order special sides or desserts, as well as a comprehensive list of which restaurants are open for dining on Thanksgiving.

25+ Things to Do During Thanksgiving Break in Champaign-Urbana

Staying in town for the holidays? There are plenty of opportunities to get out and have fun in the Champaign-Urbana area — and keep kids active, too.

All Upcoming Holiday Season Events

We’ve made it simple for you to scroll what is happening, in upcoming order, near you.

Monday, December 30, 2024

Celebrate Chanukah

Time: All Day
Location:

Holiday Glow at Allerton

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Monticello

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Celebrate Chanukah

Time: All Day
Location:

"Noon" Year's Eve

Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Urbana

New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop at Kleen Movement

Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Monticello

Noon Year's Eve

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Champaign

Holiday Glow at Allerton

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Monticello

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Celebrate Chanukah

Time: All Day
Location:

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Celebrate Chanukah

Time: All Day
Location:

Winter Nights at Prairie Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Champaign

Friday, January 3, 2025

Winter Nights at Prairie Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Champaign

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Pathway of Lights

Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Arcola

Winter Nights at Prairie Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Champaign

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Winter Nights at Prairie Farm

Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Champaign

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. 

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

Everything Holiday Season In and Around Champaign-Urbana