Visitors Guide
Membership MEMBERSHIP Shop SHOP Subscribe SUBSCRIBE
Visitors Guide VISITORS GUIDE Blog BLOG
Events in Downstate Illinois

Events in Downstate Illinois

Find Your Next Event

Whether you’re looking for a festival, marathon or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone. The region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing.

What are you waiting for? Explore our Event Calendar to find the perfect entertainment for you and your family during your visit.

Please use the color-coded map for reference.

  • Western Region (Orange) – Close to St. Louis, MO
  • Central Region (Blue) – Close to Springfield, IL
  • Eastern Region (Yellow) – Close to Terre Haute, IN



Lightworks 2024 Walk Through

November 14, 2024
Peterson Park
Mattoon, IL

Night of Lights SBLHC

November 14, 2024
SBL Campus
Mattoon, IL

Lightworks

November 14, 2024 - December 25, 2024
Peterson House
Mattoon, IL

“Who is Buried in the Moore/Bellefontaine Cemetery?” by Tom Smith

November 14, 2024
History Museum of Monroe County
Waterloo, IL

Mattoon's Holiday Festival SBLHC

November 15, 2024
Sarah Bush Lincoln Center
Mattoon, IL

Olde Tyme Christmas

November 15, 2024 - November 16, 2024
Vandalia, IL

Christmas Gift and Craft Show, Cross Country Mall

November 15, 2024 - November 17, 2024
Cross Country Mall
Mattoon, IL

Vandalia Old Time Christmas Train Show

November 15, 2024 - November 16, 2024
St. James Lutheran Church
Vandalia, IL

Belleville Flea Market

November 16, 2024 - November 17, 2024
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center
Belleville, IL

Fall Vendor Event

November 16, 2024
Rivers Bend
Okawville, IL

Pickleball Bash Fundraiser, Mattoon Eagles Club

November 16, 2024
Mattoon Eagles Club
Mattoon, IL

Hinder LIVE in Concert @Castle Ridge featuring Jet Black Roses

November 16, 2024
Castle Ridge
Centralia, IL

Wonderlights Christmas Display

November 17, 2024 - December 31, 2024
World Wide Technology Raceway
Madison, IL

Lebanon Victorian Holiday Weekend

November 22, 2024 - November 23, 2024
Downtown Lebanon
Lebanon, IL

Culp Family Christmas Lights

November 22, 2024 - December 31, 2022
Willow Hill
Willow Hill, IL

55th Annual Way of Lights Christmas Display

November 22, 2024 - December 31, 2024
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Belleville, IL

Christmas Lights Wonderland

November 22, 2024 - December 31, 2024
American Farm Heritage Museum - Greenville, IL
Greenville, IL

Lebanon's Winter Wonderland of Lights

November 22, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Horner Park
Lebanon, IL

Newton Christmas Lights in the Park

November 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Peterson Park
Newton, IL

Thanksgiving Market

November 23, 2024
O'Fallon Station
O'Fallon, IL

3rd Annual Wild Child Christmas Market

November 23, 2024
Wild Child Flower Farm in Sumner, IL
Sumner, IL

Maeystown Damen Tag

November 23, 2024
Corner George Inn
Maeystown, IL

Welcome to Whoville

November 23, 2024
Village of Sainte Marie
Sainte Marie, IL

40th Annual The "Nutcracker" Ballet & Concert

November 23, 2024 - November 24, 2024
Love Church
Belleville, IL

The Lights at Cedarhurst

November 23, 2024 - December 29, 2024
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts
Mount Vernon, IL

The Jorrells LIVE @Castle Ridge

November 23, 2024
Castle Ridge
Centralia, IL

Downtown Belleville Gingerbread Walk Display

November 24, 2024
Downtown Belleville
, IL

Holiday Sip and Shop

November 24, 2024
The Olde Wicks Factory
Highland, IL

Friendsgiving @Castle Ridge

November 27, 2024
Castle Ridge
Centralia, IL

Gobble Hobble

November 28, 2024
Korte Recreation Center
Highland, IL

Mattoon YMCA Early Bird Fitness

November 28, 2024
Mattoon YMCA
Mattoon, IL

RCRC Turkey Trot 5K

November 28, 2024
Musgrove Park
Olney, IL

Hutsonville Trees on the River

November 28, 2024 - January 1, 2025
South Main Street
Hutsonville, IL

Woburn Christmas Display

November 28, 2024 - December 29, 2024
Greenville, IL

Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair

November 28, 2024 - December 30, 2024
Du Quoin Fairgrounds
Du Quoin, IL

Olney Christmas Light Display

November 28, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Olney City Park
Olney, IL

Albion Done Bright Christmas Light Display

November 28, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Edwards County Courthouse Square
Albion, IL

Christmas Lights of Hope

November 28, 2024 - December 29, 2024
White County Fairgrounds, Carmi IL
Carmi, IL

Santa on the Square - Belleville

November 29, 2024 - December 24, 2024
Public Square
Belleville, IL

Santa Parade on Belleville's Main Street

November 29, 2024
Belleville Main Street
Belleville, IL

Ainad Shriners FEZtival of Trees

November 29, 2024 - December 7, 2024
Ainad Shriners
Belleville, IL

11th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt

November 29, 2024 - December 23, 2024
Public Square, Belleville, IL
Belleville, IL

Grand Opening of The Sweet Spot Highland Candy Shop

November 29, 2024
The Sweet Spot Highland
Highland, IL

35th Annual Lawrence County Capital Classic

November 29, 2024 - November 30, 2024
Red Hill High School and Lawrenceville High School
Lawrenceville, IL

Oblong Christmas in the Park

November 29, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Oblong, IL

Christmas in Casey Fairview Park

November 29, 2024 - December 25, 2024
Fairview Park
Casey, IL

Fantasy of Lights

November 29, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Centralia Foundation Park
Centralia, IL

Vandalia Festival of Lights

November 29, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Rogier Park
Vandalia, IL

Christmas in Carlyle

November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Carlyle City Park
Carlyle, IL

Christmas Lights in Carlyle City Park

November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Carlyle City Park
Carlyle, IL

The Lights Are On in Salem

November 29, 2024
Downtown Salem
Salem, IL

Lighting Festival in Downtown Palestine

November 29, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Leaverton Park
Palestine, IL

Annual Lighted Christmas Parade - Highland Chamber of Commerce

November 29, 2024
Highland, IL
Highland, IL

An Olde Village Christmas

November 29, 2024
Liederkranz Park, Millstadt, IL
Millstadt, IL

Shop Small Saturday

November 30, 2024
Clark County
Marshall, IL

Caught in the Act - Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2024
Highland, IL
Highland, IL

Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2024
Historic Main Street
Columbia, IL

Come Home for Christmas

November 30, 2024
Downtown Greenville
Greenville, IL

Waterloo Christmas Walk

November 30, 2024
Historic Downtown Square
Waterloo, IL

Chistmas in the Park

November 30, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Lawrenceville City Park
Lawrenceville, IL

Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square

November 30, 2024
West Salem, Illinois (Edwards County)
West Salem, IL

Hutsonville Christmas on the River

November 30, 2024
Hutsonville, IL

Marshall Festival of Lights

November 30, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Clark County Fairgrounds
Marshall, IL

Waterloo Glow Lighted Parade

November 30, 2024
Historic Downtown Square
Waterloo, IL

Christmas Game Night

November 30, 2024
Salem Community Activities Center
Salem, IL

Columbia Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 30, 2024
Fountain Park
Columbia, IL

Olney Christmas Parade

November 30, 2024
Downtown Olney
Olney, IL

New Baden Winter Market

December 1, 2024
New Baden Civic Center
New Baden, IL

An Old Fashioned German Christmas in Maeystown

December 1, 2024
Maesytown
Maeystown, IL

Old Fashioned German Christmas

December 1, 2024
Maeystown, IL
Maeystown, IL

Celtic Christmas at the Hett

December 3, 2024
Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
Lebanon, IL

Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Holiday Auction

December 4, 2024
K.C. Summers GMC Building
Mattoon, IL

Christmas Market at The Lights

December 6, 2024 - December 8, 2024
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts
Mount Vernon, IL

Christmas on the River

December 6, 2024 - December 7, 2024
Chester, IL

Okawville Christmas Stroll

December 6, 2024 - December 7, 2024
Okawville, IL

New Switzerland Model Railroad Club Annual Christmas Show

December 6, 2024 - December 30, 2024
McGinley Chrysler Dealership
Highland, IL

Christmas Uptown-Mt. Carmel

December 6, 2024
Market Street Mount Carmel, IL
Mount Carmel, IL

CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER

December 6, 2024 - December 8, 2024
CHESTER
Chester, IL

Vandalia Statehouse Gala

December 6, 2024
Vandalia Statehouse
Vandalia, IL

Mascoutah Lighted Christmas Parade

December 6, 2024
Downtown Mascoutah
Mascoutah, IL

Candy Canes On Main

December 6, 2024 - December 7, 2024
Downtown Casey
Casey, IL

Belleville Gingerbread 5K

December 7, 2024
Downtown
Belleville, IL

Hometown Holly Days

December 7, 2024
Downtown Marshall
Marshall, IL

Breakfast with Santa

December 7, 2024
Unity Baptist Church
Vandalia, IL

Cookie Crumb Trail - Highland Chamber of Commerce

December 7, 2024
Pick up maps at Kloss Furniture
Highland, IL

Santa Photo/Crafts Event

December 7, 2024
The EDGE
Belleville, IL

Christmas in the Heart of Charleston

December 7, 2024
Downtown
Charleston, IL

Kinmundy Log Cabin Village Live Nativity

December 7, 2024
Kinmundy Log Cabin Village
Kinmundy, IL

Highland Twilight Holiday Home Tour

December 7, 2024
Highland, IL
Highland, IL

Coulterville Holiday Light Display

December 7, 2024 - December 29, 2024
Coulterville, IL

Bright Night Christmas Parade and Turner Hall Social

December 7, 2024
Historic Main Street/Turner Hall
Columbia, IL

Kinmundy Lighted Christmas Parade

December 7, 2024
Kinmundy, IL

Albion Lighted Christmas Parade - Christmas on the Farm

December 7, 2024
Albion, IL
Albion, IL

The Gatlin Brothers Christmas Show

December 7, 2024
Lincoln Theater
Belleville, IL

Women, Wine & Wonderland

December 8, 2024
The Regency Conference Center, O'Fallon, IL
O'Fallon, IL

Columbia Winter Wonderland Visit w/Santa

December 8, 2024
Main Street Abbey
, IL

Columbia Winter Wonderland Visit w/Santa

December 8, 2024
Main Street Abbey
, IL

The Belleville Philharmonic Christmas Pop up Concert

December 8, 2024
Lincoln Theater
Belleville, IL

U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America Holiday Concert

December 13, 2024 - December 14, 2024
The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
Lebanon, IL

Breakfast with Santa

December 14, 2024
Klucker Hall
Shiloh, IL

Downtown Belleville Cookie Stroll

December 14, 2024
Downtown Belleville
Belleville, IL

Colonial Holiday Market

December 14, 2024
Fort de Chartres State Historic Site
Prairie du Rocher, IL

Albion Christmas Extravaganza

December 14, 2024
Albion Fire Station
Albion, IL

“Greetings From Times Past” by Gary Weisenborn

December 14, 2024
History Museum of Monroe County
Waterloo, IL

Home for the Holidays

December 14, 2024
O'Fallon Downtown District
O'Fallon, IL

10th Annual Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk

December 14, 2024
Old Belleville Historic District
Belleville, IL

Statehouse Candlelight Tours

December 14, 2024
Vandalia Statehouse
Vandalia, IL

Frosted Flick Fest

December 14, 2024 - December 15, 2024
Turner Hall
Columbia, IL


Downstate Illinois Events

Downstate Illinois Events

Explore Our Event Calendar
Whether you’re looking for a festival, marathon or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone. The region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing.
Travel Ideas

Travel Ideas

Check Out Our Blog
From outdoor recreation and adventure to foodies and family fun, we have the trip ideas to plan the perfect vacation.
Road Trip Itineraries

Road Trip Itineraries

21 Counties made for Road Trips
Downstate Illinois was made for road trips! With the help of our road trip itineraries, you can discover all that our 21 counties have to offer — from family fun to outdoor adventures and shopping sprees. 
Check out our calendar of events!
Lightworks

Lightworks

November 14, 2024 - December 25, 2024 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Peterson House | Mattoon, IL
Mattoon's Holiday Festival SBLHC

Mattoon's Holiday Festival SBLHC

November 15, 2024 @ 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sarah Bush Lincoln Center | Mattoon, IL
Olde Tyme Christmas

Olde Tyme Christmas

November 15, 2024 - November 16, 2024 @ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Vandalia, IL

View Entire Events Calendar

This Weekend This Month Annual Events Top Picks
FREE Visitors Guide!
Request Your FREE
         Downstate Illinois
     Visitors Guide
        View Online Request Today!