Seasonal Events
No matter the season, Southern Illinois shines with unique events that mark the rhythm of the year. Enjoy springtime garden tours, summer concerts under the stars, colorful fall festivals, and cozy winter celebrations. Each season brings new reasons to explore, celebrate, and experience the charm of the region.
Very Merry Marion – Holiday Festival
Date: Late November–December
Time: Varies daily
Where: Downtown Marion, IL
A month-long holiday experience featuring Santa’s House, carriage rides, markets, lights, and family activities.
The Ice at Tower Square – Marion
Date: Late November–January
Time: Daily hours vary
Where: Tower Square Plaza, Marion, IL
A seasonal outdoor ice rink offering public skating in the center of downtown Marion.
Lights Fantastic Parade – Carbondale
Date: First Saturday in December
Time: 6 PM
Where: Illinois Avenue, Carbondale
A large nighttime parade featuring illuminated floats, performers, and holiday displays.
Chittyville Christmas
Haunted House
Date: Select dates in December
Time: Evening
Where: Chittyville School, Herrin, IL
A holiday twist on the classic haunted house featuring spooky Christmas-themed rooms and characters.
Bernard Family Farm – Christmas at the Farm
Date: December 6
Time: 10 AM–3 PM
Where: Bernard Family Farm, Southern IL
A family-friendly holiday outing with photo ops, farm animals, crafts, and hot chocolate.
Home for the Holidays Series – O’Fallon
Date: All December
Time: Varies
Where: O’Fallon, IL
A citywide lineup of wreath workshops, Santa visits, markets, and festive community events.
Eckert’s Farm Holiday Events
Date: All December
Time: Varies
Where: Eckert’s Belleville Farm, Belleville, IL
A series of seasonal activities including cookie decorating, breakfast with Santa, and tree picking.
Very Merry Holiday Parade – Marion
Date: Late November
Time: Evening
Where: Downtown Marion, IL
A festive nighttime parade featuring floats, music, and community holiday spirit.
Light Up the Night Parade
Date: November 29
Time: Evening
Where: Anna, IL
A nighttime lighted parade with glowing floats and holiday performances.
O’Fallon Illuminated
Holiday Parade
Date: November 29
Time: 6 PM
Where: Downtown O’Fallon, IL
A lighted community parade featuring bands, floats, and seasonal entertainment.
Belleville Santa Parade
Date: November 28
Time: 10 AM
Where: Downtown Belleville, IL
A traditional holiday parade bringing Santa to town with floats, performers, and family fun.
Parade of Lights
Date: November 30
Time: Evening
Where: Various Southern Illinois towns
A regional holiday parade with illuminated floats and festive community groups.
Holiday Lights & Fireside Bites – Hickory Lodge
Date: December 10
Time: 6 PM
Where: Hickory Lodge, Carbondale
A seasonal evening event with firepits, lights, and holiday snacks in a lodge setting.
Blue Sky Vineyard Paint & Sip
Date: December 6
Time: 12–3 PM
Where: Blue Sky Vineyard, Makanda, IL
An adult holiday paint-and-sip class set inside the decorated winery tasting room.
Polar Express Night
(Multiple Locations)
Date: December 5
Time: Evening
Where: Various Southern Illinois venues
A themed movie or activity night based on The Polar Express with crafts, cocoa, and family programming.
Swiftmas Pop-Up / Holiday Specialty Markets
Date: Early December
Time: Varies
Where: Various pop-up venues
A themed holiday market featuring Swift-inspired goods, seasonal vendors, and specialty gifts.
Frisson Christmas Concert
Date: December 7
Time: 7 PM
Where: Local performing arts venue
A live seasonal concert featuring classical holiday music performed by the Frisson ensemble.
Belleville Christkindlmarkt
Date: November 28–December 23
Time: 11 AM–8 PM
Where: Belleville Public Square, Belleville, IL
An outdoor German-style Christmas market with food, crafts, music, and handmade holiday gifts.
Old Belleville Luminary Walk
Date: December 13
Time: Evening
Where: Downtown Belleville, IL
A historic luminary walk featuring glowing lanterns, music, and holiday storefront displays.
Belleville Cookie Stroll
Date: December 12–13
Time: Afternoon–Evening
Where: Downtown Belleville, IL
A holiday tasting stroll where visitors collect cookies from participating local businesses.