The sidewalks of downtown Springfield will be busy again when the excitement of the holiday season returns with a whirlwind of activities and shopping during the Old Capitol Holiday Walks. The festivities begin on Saturday, Nov. 30, during Small Business Saturday. You’ll find downtown storefronts of locally owned businesses, restaurants and bars beautifully decorated in traditional and contemporary Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas decorations. Inside each you will find the showrooms and shelves brimming with gifts and special treats.
Whether it’s holiday crafts, games, live performances or winter indulgences, you will be able to find your favorite downtown holiday activities once again this year – a few with new twists.
Activities for that first day of the walks will culminate at Sixth and Adams streets for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Look for Abe and Mary Lincoln in the crowd of onlookers, and Santa will also be sure to join in the ceremony.
Holly the Lighted Bus will be downtown on Wednesday evenings, but may pop up anywhere throughout the city at the drop of a hat.
Santa, too, decided that he is going to hit the streets and make appearances at several downtown locations each Saturday. Many places are also caught up in the spirit of cheer and joining in the Holiday Walks with activities and entertainment in the coming weeks for merrymakers of all ages.
Performances of The Nutcracker by the Copper Coin Ballet Company at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, kids’ activities at Kidzeum and the Illinois State Museum, tours of the wonderfully decorated Dana-Thomas House, not to mention ice skating, holiday markets and fun with Abe and Mary Lincoln – the entertainment list is endless.
This year’s Old Capitol Holiday Walks are made possible by many generous sponsors and hours of teamwork by staff and volunteers. All these efforts have culminated in a season-long symphony of celebratory events that are sure to get kids from 1 to 92 into the holiday spirit.
Check the schedule so you don’t miss a minute of the action, then bundle up and step out into this year’s season of sights and sounds and holiday cheer.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY AND OLD CAPITOL HOLIDAY WALKS KICKOFF
Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy decorations for all the season’s holidays. Many of the unique and charming downtown businesses will be open with extended hours and holiday specials. The Old Capitol Holiday Walks, where you can dine, drink and shop in beautiful downtown Springfield, will continue every Wednesday and Saturday through Dec. 21.
TREE LIGHTING
Saturday, Nov. 30, 4 p.m. It’s now an annual tradition in Springfield to gather around the Christmas tree at Fifth and Adams streets as it is lit to usher in the holiday season. Free.
HOLLY, THE LIGHTED BUS
Saturday, Nov. 30, 4-7 p.m. This festive bus will be downtown at the tree-lighting ceremony and on Wednesday evenings, 4:30-5:30 p.m., through December. You might even catch her making cameo appearances throughout the city during the holiday season.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE
Saturday, Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m. A dazzling and festive parade with all the spectacle needed to usher in the holiday season. Starts at Jefferson and Seventh streets, proceeding to Fifth to Monroe to Sixth to Washington streets.
ILLINOIS PRODUCTS HOLIDAY MARKET
Dec. 6. Celebrate the holiday season with local food and goods, live music and a whole lot of holiday cheer. Explore local vendors, participate in special events and enjoy a unique shopping experience. Live entertainment, food and desserts. Y Block, north of the Governor’s Mansion.
WINTER FARMERS MARKET
Saturday, Dec. 21, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The Old Capitol Farmers Market continues through the winter months. December’s market will be held indoors and outdoors at Union Station. Customers can park for free at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum parking garage.
VISIT SANTA DOWNTOWN
Saturdays, 12-6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m., through December 21, Old Capitol Plaza. Be sure to check this schedule to learn his whereabouts: Nov. 30, Springfield Visitors Center, Fifth and Adams streets. Dec. 2, Illinois Products Holiday Expo, Y Block north of the Governor’s Mansion. Dec. 9, Kidzeum of Health and Science, 412 E. Adams St. Dec. 16, Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St. Dec. 23, Springfield Visitors Center, Fifth and Adams streets.
ABE AND MARY LINCOLN SATURDAYS
Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 12-6 p.m. Abe and Mary will be playing games with kids, reading Christmas stories and talking about days gone by. You can find them at the Springfield Visitors Center at the corner of Fifth and Adams streets. 800-545-7300.
WINTER NIGHTS AT THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Wednesdays and Saturdays, with free admission beginning at 4 p.m. so everyone can enjoy the exhibits and performances. Catch the Ghost of the Library show Wednesdays and Saturdays at 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Take time, also, to visit the immersive theater experience of “Lincoln’s Eyes” at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 4 and 7. Visit the Winter Wonder Workshop in the Lincoln Cafe where you will find children’s winter-themed crafts and activity tables. The Museum Gift Shop will be open until 7 p.m. ALPLM is also welcoming talented high school groups from area schools to the plaza on selected dates during the holiday walks. Enjoy holiday-themed musical performances from Lanphier and Williamsville high schools on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. respectively, Taylorville High School on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 4:30 p.m., Pleasant Plains High School on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4:30 p.m. and Springfield Southeast High School on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. On Dec. 14, from 12-8 p.m., members of the Illinois Valley Division of the National Model Railroad Association will be inside Union Station to introduce kids of all ages to the fun and excitement of model railroading and give them a chance to operate a mobile model railroad display. The Copper Coin Ballet Company and area dancers will present The Nutcracker on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from Dec. 11 through Dec. 21, at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., in the ALPLM Union Theatre. Performances are free, but a ticket is required for admittance. 217-558-8844.
KIDZEUM CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES AND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Join in the fun with holiday activities and crafts. Free with paid admission. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. The Kidzeum has a full schedule of events to get the youngsters ready for the holidays. Have breakfast with Santa, take part in a gingerbread house competition, take part in a holiday tea or join in ugly sweater day. Visit kidzeum.org for the schedule. 217-679-2123.
ICE SKATING RINK
Join in the ageless winter tradition of ice skating at Union Square Park on Wednesdays 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 12-8 p.m., through Dec. 21. The rink will continue to be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m., from Dec. 22 through Feb. 16 and on select holidays. Go to presidentlincoln.illinois.gov to check the schedule.
DANA-THOMAS HOUSE FESTIVITIES
The Dana-Thomas House, decked out in holiday style, will be open for 30-minute tours on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18. The tours will begin at 5 p.m. More family fun will be offered on Friday evenings with make-your-own s’mores at the fire pit in the courtyard, hot cocoa and crafts. 217-782-6776.
ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM ACTIVITIES
Learn how different cultures have kept the chill away with festive activities. On Dec. 7 and 8, help bring in the Year of the Snake for Japanese New Year, and on Dec. 14 and 15, create decorations for Las Posadas. ISM’s Winter Solstice Celebration will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 21. Learn how animals and people have adapted to the cold, and investigate the Ice Age. The museum and all these activities are free for everyone, so bundle up and come on by. Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. 217-782-7386.
VACHEL LINDSAY HOME CRAFTS AND STORYTIME
Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. through Dec. 16. Join in free, family-friendly fun. No reservations are needed. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901.
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This article appears in Winter Guide 2024.
