Dec 4 - Dec 5
Annual High Tea: "Taking Tea in Taylorville"
Taylorville Memorial Hospital, 201 East Pleasant Street, Taylorville
Noted for its opulent table settings and delicious sweets! Lavish menu provided by local artisans and restaurants, that evokes tea room recipes from around the world. The glittery vintage fashion show and heirloom china from the homes of Christian County's finest make this event one-of-a-kind.
217-824-9447

Dec 4 - Dec 5
Annual Home Tour"Magnificent Mansions"
Welcome Center is Cottage Rose, East side of Taylorville Square, Taylorville
Six locations festooned with the season incldue the largest private home in Taylorville and Christian County (16,200 square feet of living space), an 1883 Victorian showplace and the dramatic makeover of a bridal salon/spa into a family home. 217-824-9447

Dec 4
CAMA's Gingerbread House Design Challenge
Human Resources Center Historic Dining Room, 118 East Court Street, Paris
Teams assemble original gingerbread houses in a festive award-winning and fundraising challenge that benefits food pantries.
217-465-4118
www.camacoalition.org

Dec 4
Dinner with Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln
Harlan Hall, 602 Locust Street, Marshall
Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln’s Christmas Celebration- Dinner Theatre production
217-826-2535

Dec 4 - Dec 14
Christmastown Festival
Downtown Tuscola
Come and enjoy this annual event featuring craft vendors, a house walk, breakfast with Santa, a parade, the "Santa Chase" 5k run/walk, children's games, Madrigal Dinner and more!
217-253-5013
www.tuscola.org

Dec 4
Come Home for Christmas Holiday Celebration
Downtown Clinton
Events including a free wine and cheese sampling, extended shopping hours, free carriage rides, holiday carolers and so much more!
217-935-3364
www.clintonilchamber.com

Dec 4 - Dec 18
Holly Jolly Jasper County Christmas
Jasper County Courthouse Square, 100 West Jourdan, Newton
In honor of Jasper County-born Burl Ives, a legendary American actor, writer and folk-singer. Shops extend their hours, and Santa and characters from the cartoon "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" visit. Enjoy entertainment, snacks, wagon rides, and free drawings!
618-783-3399
www.newtonillinois.com

Dec 4
Christmas Candelight Tours
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, 402 South Lincoln Hwy. Rd, Lerna
Visit both the Lincoln and Sargent Farms, walk candlelit pathways, listen to music, taste hot apple cider, and enjoy the peace and serenity of the season. 5pm-8pm
217-345-1845
www.lincolnlogcabin.org

Dec 5
Christmas Candlelight Service
County Road 10, Elkhart
Annual candlelight service at the Gillett Chapel in Elkhart Cemetery. Space is limited for this event. Reservations
217-947-2238

Dec 5
Christmas in the Heart of Charleston.
Historic Downtown Charleston
A celebration of the old-fashioned Christmas on Charleston's historic downtown square. Holiday parade, carriage rides, live reindeer, refreshments, entertainment and Santa!
217-348-0430
www.charlestontourism.org

Dec 5
Holiday Spirit Celebration
Downtown Gillespie
Celebrate the season with breakfast and a picture with Santa, discounts in downtown stores, craft and food vendors, and a ride on the "CCCC Choo Choo"!
217-839-4888
www.coalcountrychamber.com

Dec 5
Hometown Holly Day
Marshall Fire Department Building, 718 Archer Avenue, Marshall
Citywide all day event. Vendor and craft fair, Marshall Merchant open houses, Parade of Lighs.
217-826-9023
www.marshallmainstreet.org

Dec 5
Postville Courthouse Christmas Open House
Postville Courthouse, 914 5th Street, Lincoln
Please stop by the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site to enjoy the holidays 1840's style. The building will be decorated accordingly, with period music, refreshments, presentations and tours.Featuring authentic period decorations and a presentation on “The changing image of the 16th President.”  Free. 
www.postvillecourthouse.com

Dec 5 - Dec 6
Lunch with Santa on Train
Wabash Depot, Downtown, Corner of Livingston & Independence, Monticello
Ride the train, have lunch and visit with Santa! Reservations required.
800-952-3396 or 217-762-7921
www.monticellochamber.org

Dec 12
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Holiday Event
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth Street, Springfield. 
Holiday events including children’s crafts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; holiday music at 11:30 a.m.; and Merry TubaChristmas featuring holiday tunes played by an all-tuba band, 1 p.m.  Museum admission required, $10 adults, $7 senior citizens and children 5 – 15, under 5 free. 
217-782-5764
www.presidentlincoln.org.

Dec 12
Christmas Remembrance Ceremony
Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1500 Monument Ave., Springfield. 
1 p.m. featuring ornaments for each Illinois POW or MIA that are hung on a holiday tree during a special ceremony.  Free. 
www.illinoishistory.gov

Dec 13
Farm Toy Show
1501 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham
Farm toys, toys old and new, antiques and collectibles.
217-342-6565

Dec 31 – Jan 1
Pontiac First Night
Downtown, Pontiac
21st annual New Year's Eve Celebration of the Arts. A family oriented, alcohol-free event, featuring entertainment and spectacular fireworks at midnight.
815-844-6692
www.pontiacproud.org