Holiday Fun in Springfield IL | Springfield, Illinois | Visit Springfield

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The “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is here & Springfield has so many events to celebrate the holiday season! 




Click on the events for more details. 


(HW-Old Capitol Holiday Walk Event, SP-Shopping Event, FF-Family Fun, PF-Performance/Concert, SC-Santa Claus Appearance, CF-Holiday Crafts, HS-Historic, 21+-Adults Only)


11/27-12/20 Winter Wednesdays & Festive Fridays at the Dana-Thomas House (SELECT Wednesdays & Fridays) (HW, HS)

11/30-12/21 Holiday Shop Art Exhibit at SAA Collective (SP)

11/30-12/22 Skating in the Park at Union Square Park (Wednesdays & Saturdays) (HW, FF)

11/30-12/21 Winter Nights at the Museum at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (Wednesdays & Saturdays) (HW, FF, HS)

12/7-12/22 Winter Holiday Floral Show at the Washington Park Botanical Gardens (FF)


12/11-12/21 Copper Coin Ballet Performs The Nutcracker at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (Wednesdays & Saturdays) (PF, HW)

12/12-12/15 Holiday Lights at the Henson Robinson Zoo (FF)

12/12-12/15 Light Up the Park at Chatham Community Park (FF)

12/13 Holiday Pops in the Heartland at UIS Performing Arts Center (PF)

12/13-12/14 Holiday Candlelight Open House at the Elijah Iles House (HS)

12/13-12/14 Candlelight Christmas at Clayville Historic Site (HS)

12/14 Holiday Tea Party at the Kidzeum of Health and Science (HW, FF)

12/14 Wreaths Across America at Camp Butler National Cemetary (HS)

12/14 Johnnie Owens Live at the Holiday Walks at Buzz Bomb Brewing Company (21+, PF)

12/14 1850 Carol Sing at First Presbyterian Church (HS)

12/14 The Deep Hollow Holiday Concert at Danenberger Family Vineyards (21+, PF)

12/14 The Prophecy Show - A Tribute to Trans-Siberian Orchestra at UIS Performing Arts Center (PF)

12/14-12/15 Holiday Fest: Las Posadas at the Illinois State Museum (FF)

12/14-12/15 Kringle Market at Vinegar Hill Mall (SP)

12/15 Tree Cookie Nature Crafting Session at Lincoln Memorial Gardens (CF)

12/15 Grinch Character Tea at The Wakery (FF)

12/15 Kids Holiday Craft Workshop at Lincoln Memorial Gardens (CF)

12/15 Music at the Cathedral: Lessons & Carols at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (PF)

12/16 Christmas with the Alley Cats at the Hoogland Center for the Arts (PF)


12/19-12/23 Holiday Lights at the Henson Robinson Zoo (FF)

12/19-12/25 Light Up the Park at Chatham Community Park (FF)

12/19 Holiday Music with Elvis Himselvis & Tom Irwin (PF, 21+)

12/20 Christmas Classic on the Grand Screen: It's a Wonderful Life at the Legacy Theatre (FF)

12/20-12/22 Dual Piano Christmas at the Hoogland Center for the Arts (PF)

12/21 Winter Old Capitol Farmer's Market (SP, HW)

12/21 Ugly Sweater Day at the Kidzeum of Health and Science (HW, FF)

12/21 Santa Claus is Comin' to Skateland South (SC, FF)

12/21 Solstice Celebration at the Illinois State Museum (FF)

12/21 "Make"-ing Memories at the Dana-Thomas House (HW, CF, FF)

12/21 Gingerbread House Family Event at B's Creative Studio (FF, CF)

12/21 Johnnie Owens Live at the Holiday Walks at Buzz Bomb Brewing Company (21+, PF)

12/21 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at UIS Performing Arts Center (PF)

12/21 Krampusmas: A Yule Celebration of Magick & Mischief at Ad Astra (21+)

12/21 Christmas Classic on the Grand Screen: Meet Me in St. Louis at The Legacy Theatre (FF)

12/21 Capital City Improve Presents Ha Ha Holiday Show at the Hoogland Center for the Arts (PF)

12/22 Skating in the Park at Union Square Park (FF)

12/26 Music at the Cathedral: Carols at Noon at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (PF)


12/28-12/29 Skating in the Park at Unions Square Park (FF)


12/31 Skating in the Park at Union Square Park (FF)

12/31 Noon Year's Eve Celebration at the Kidzeum of Health and Science (FF)

12/31 First Night Springfield at the Hoogland Center for the Arts & other locations (FF, PF)

12/31 New Year's Eve Day Party at Bloom Wine Bar & Florals (21+)

12/31 New Year's Eve at Buzz Bomb Brewing Company (21+)

12/31 NYE with Venue 1929 (21+)

12/31 New Years Eve with Lick Creek at Boondocks (21+, PF)

12/31 EMO New Years Eve Party at Danenberger Family Vineyards (21+, PF)

12/31 Motorhead's NYE Party (21+, PF)



For more events in Springfield throughout the year click here


(Remember to keep checking back with us as the event list is updated throughout the season!)


Hop on board!  Take advantage of the FREE shuttle making stops around downtown on November 30th, December 14th, & December 21st.  The trolley runs a continous loop downtown, with stops at the select locations every 10-15 minutes.  Find out more info here




Looking for a place to rest after all this Holiday fun?  Check out our Hotel section!


---Past Events---

11/8-11/9 Hobnob Holiday Market at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (SP)

11/9 Embroidered Hand Turkeys at Edwards Place (CF)

11/9 Holiday Market and Sweet Shoppe at the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club (SP)

11/15 Santa's Grand Arrival at White Oaks Mall (FF, SC, PF)

11/16 Make Your Own Holiday Scented Candle at Dabble (CF)

11/16 Stained Glass Lighted Christmas Tree Class at B's Creative Studio (CF)

11/16-11/17 Holiday Market at Lincoln Memorial Gardens (SP)

11/17 3rd Annual Sip N Shop at Danenberger Family Vineyards (SP)

11/8-11/22 Happy Holiday Trees Art Exhibit at the MG Nelson Gallery at the Springfield Art Association

11/23 Winter Old Capitol Farmer's Market at Union Station (SP)

11/24 Holiday Extravaganza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (SP, SC)

11/27 Thanksgiving Centerpiece Floral Class at Bloom Wine Bar (CF)

11/29 Light up the Gables (SP, SC)

11/29-12/1 Holiday Lights at the Henson Robinson Zoo (FF)

11/29-12/1 Light Up the Park at Chatham Community Park (FF)

11/30 Illinois Local Holiday Market at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (SP)

11/30 Meet St Nicholas, The Real Santa at the Cathedral Church of St Paul (HS, SC)

11/30 Holiday Fun with Abe Lincoln at the Springfield Visitors Center (HW, FF)

11/30 Old Capitol Ugly Sweater Sports at the Old State Capitol Grounds (HW, FF)

11/30 "Make"-ing Memories at the Dana-Thomas House (HW, CF, FF)

11/30 Hot Cocoa with Clara at Wild Rose (FF)

11/30 Downtown Springfield Tree Lighting (HW, FF)

11/30-12/1 Polar Express Pajama Party at The Legacy Theatre (FF)

12/1 Pet Photos with Santa at White Oaks Mall (SC)

12/1 First Sunday Midwest Bazaar at the Illilnios State Fairgrounds (SP)

12/5 Holiday Music with Elvis Himselvis & Tom Irwin (PF, 21+)

12/5-12/8 Holiday Lights at the Henson Robinson Zoo (FF)

12/5-12/8 Light Up the Park at Chatham Community Park (FF)

12/6-12/7 Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year the Hoogland Center for the Arts (PF)

12/6-12/8 Illinois Product Holiday Market (SP, SC)

12/6-12/8 Holiday Craft Fair at Jubilee Farm (SP)

12/7 Holiday Ornament Crafting at Edwards Place (CF)

12/7 Breakfast with Santa at the Kidzeum of Health and Science (HW, SC, FF)

12/7 Happy HoliGays at Out at Second (SP)

12/7 Tater Tot Holiday Rock at the Hoogland Center for the Arts (PF, FF)

12/7 Santa at Clayville Historic Site (FF, SC)

12/7 Holidays are Booked at the Lincoln Library: Public Library of Springfield (SP)

12/7 Holiday Fun with Abe Lincoln at the Springfield Visitors Center (HW, FF)

12/7 Fresh Evergreen Wreath Making Workshop at Washington Park Botanical Gardens (CF)

12/7 Christmas Market at The Brinkerhoff Mansion (SP)

12/7 Holiday Open House at Edwards Place (HS, FF, SC)

12/7 Christmas at the Front at the Illinois State Military Museum (HS)

12/7 Holiday Lights Parade in Downtown Springfield (HW, FF)

12/7 Springfield Choral Society Presents Handel's Messiah at Blessed Sacrament (PF)

12/7-12/8 Holiday Fest: Japanese New Year at the Illinois State Museum (FF)

12/7-12/8 The Nutcracker at UIS Performing Arts Center (PF)

12/7-12/8 SYPG Presents The Nutcracker at SHG Auditorium (FF, PF)

12/8 A Special Visit with Caring Santa a Sensory Friendly Experience at White Oaks Mall (SC)

12/8 Caroling at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon (PF, FF)

12/8 North Pole Party at Springfield YMCA (FF, SC)

12/10 DIY Glitter Ornaments with Dabble at Obed & Isaac's The Cidery (CF, 21+)