Main streets all over Illinois celebrate Christmas with parades, light displays, special events, and other fun festivities each year. These beautiful downtown areas are proof that this state is the perfect place to be during the holiday season!
- Bradley
Bradley Christmas Parade/Facebook Each December, you can find the annual Bradley Christmas Parade rolling down Broadway. Awards are given to the best floats, so get out there and pick your favorite!
- Crystal Lake
Downtown Crystal Lake/Facebook After the annual Festival of Lights Holiday Parade, Santa sets up shop for the season at the corner of Brink and Williams Streets in the heart of Downtown Crystal Lake. Bring the kids to tell the jolly old fellow what they’d like most for Christmas.
- Carbondale
Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade/Facebook Running right down Illinois Avenue in Downtown Carbondale is the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade. Visitors can expect creative, twinkling floats built by local businesses and organizations to fill the streets and light up the night!
- Elgin
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin/Facebook Visitors to Elgin at Christmastime will be walking in a Window Wonderland. For this special event, downtown businesses run great sales and serve treats to their shoppers.
- Galena
Visit Galena/Facebook Main Street is the place to be in Galena around the holidays. Events like the Festival of Trees bring the downtown businesses together to share in the spirit of the season.
- Normal
Uptown Normal/Facebook Beaufort Street is Normal’s holiday headquarters. With many of the businesses staying open late in the days leading up to Christmas, it’s the best place in town to get your shopping done.
- Wheaton
Downtown Wheaton Association/Facebook Head to Front Street in Wheaton for all of the fun-filled festivities your heart desires. From visits with Santa to the annual parade to carriage rides, there’s plenty to pick from.
- Springfield
Jeff Sharp/Flickr Illinois’s capital city certainly looks stunning around the holidays; Springfield City Hall is particularly spectacular. The best time to visit is during the Downtown Holiday Walk - expect crafts, entertainment, and other festivities.
- Sterling
Sterling Main Street/Facebook Sterling locals know that Locust Street is the hot spot for holiday cheer in this charming town. Their Sights and Sounds series promises holiday movie showings, breakfast with Santa, and an ugly Christmas sweater party.
- Moline
Tony Webster/Flickr It’s a bit calmer compared to many towns this time of year, but Downtown Moline still has plenty of Yuletide beauty to discover. Be on the lookout for special sales and events from the surrounding shops!
- Ottawa
Ottawa Illinois Visitors Center/Facebook Each year, the Chris Kringle Market turns Downtown Ottawa into a beautiful Christmas bazaar. Peruse the booths with a cup of cocoa in hand, and you’ll be all set for the season.
What’s your favorite way to spend the holiday season in Illinois? Let us know in the comments!
Bradley Christmas Parade/Facebook
Each December, you can find the annual Bradley Christmas Parade rolling down Broadway. Awards are given to the best floats, so get out there and pick your favorite!
Downtown Crystal Lake/Facebook
After the annual Festival of Lights Holiday Parade, Santa sets up shop for the season at the corner of Brink and Williams Streets in the heart of Downtown Crystal Lake. Bring the kids to tell the jolly old fellow what they’d like most for Christmas.
Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade/Facebook
Running right down Illinois Avenue in Downtown Carbondale is the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade. Visitors can expect creative, twinkling floats built by local businesses and organizations to fill the streets and light up the night!
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin/Facebook
Visitors to Elgin at Christmastime will be walking in a Window Wonderland. For this special event, downtown businesses run great sales and serve treats to their shoppers.
Visit Galena/Facebook
Main Street is the place to be in Galena around the holidays. Events like the Festival of Trees bring the downtown businesses together to share in the spirit of the season.
Uptown Normal/Facebook
Beaufort Street is Normal’s holiday headquarters. With many of the businesses staying open late in the days leading up to Christmas, it’s the best place in town to get your shopping done.
Downtown Wheaton Association/Facebook
Head to Front Street in Wheaton for all of the fun-filled festivities your heart desires. From visits with Santa to the annual parade to carriage rides, there’s plenty to pick from.
Jeff Sharp/Flickr
Illinois’s capital city certainly looks stunning around the holidays; Springfield City Hall is particularly spectacular. The best time to visit is during the Downtown Holiday Walk - expect crafts, entertainment, and other festivities.
Sterling Main Street/Facebook
Sterling locals know that Locust Street is the hot spot for holiday cheer in this charming town. Their Sights and Sounds series promises holiday movie showings, breakfast with Santa, and an ugly Christmas sweater party.
Tony Webster/Flickr
It’s a bit calmer compared to many towns this time of year, but Downtown Moline still has plenty of Yuletide beauty to discover. Be on the lookout for special sales and events from the surrounding shops!
Ottawa Illinois Visitors Center/Facebook
Each year, the Chris Kringle Market turns Downtown Ottawa into a beautiful Christmas bazaar. Peruse the booths with a cup of cocoa in hand, and you’ll be all set for the season.
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