Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) –  There’s nothing quite like Christmastime in the Illinois Capitol area!  Here’s our list of holiday events!  Notice something missing?  If you’re an organizer, e-mail Capitol City Now and we’ll add it!

Saturday, December 6th at 5:30pm-  Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade–  presented by Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network

Parade Route:

Begins at 7th & Jefferson

Heads west on Jefferson

Turns south on 5th Street

Goes east on Monroe

Turns north on 6th Street

Ends at 6th & Washington

This your chance to kick off the season in style.  Special events happening alongside the parade.

Saturday, November 29th; Wednesday, December 3rd; Saturday, December 6th; Wednesday, December 10th; Saturday, December 13th; Wednesday, December 17th; Saturday, December 20th– Downtown Springfield Holiday Walks.  Each year, DSI and all of our community of unique, locally-owned shops, museums, and businesses pull out all of the stops for the most magical time of the year– the Old Capitol Holiday Walks!

HSHS St. John’s Hospital Presents Old Capitol Winter Farmer’s Market– Saturday, November 22nd, 2025- Saturday, April 25th, 2026 (on Saturday’s) from 8a-noon. The Winter Farmers Market, presented by HSHS St. John’s, will be hosted at the historic Union Station. Join us and stock up on your baked goods, meat, produce, crafts, housewares & more!

New Year’s Eve with Lick Creek at Boondocks-  Wednesday, December 31st at 7pm.  New Years Eve with Lick Creek.  2909 N. Dirksen Pkwy.-  Springfield, IL 62702

$20 – Individual ticket (advanced)
$30 – Couples ticket (advanced)
$25 – Individual ticket (at the door)

Small Business Saturday Boutique Drive–

The holiday season is quickly approaching and we are very excited to announce the 4th Annual Small Business Saturday Boutique Drive will be taking place in and around Springfield on TWO DAYS: Saturday, November 29th and Sunday, November 30th.

This year’s drive will feature over twenty local and small businesses around the Springfield area. The famous punch cards will be back and will be available to grab from each of the participating stores during the event. You will receive one punch for each store you shop with and at the end of the day, turn your card in with your name and phone number listed on the back, for your chance to win our big giveaways! Each punch on your card is worth one entry. The more places you shop, the more entries you will receive. The giveaway prizes include gift cards, decor, accessories, jewelry, and more!!

Start making plans with your girlfriends and join us for the event of the season! A great chance to shop local and shop for the holiday season!

DATES:
Saturday, 11/29 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, 11/30 12:00pm-4:00pm

Our growing list of boutiques & participating businesses include:
*********************
Elodie Grace Boutique
District 23
Grit & Grace
Ergadoozy
Kennedy Sue
Wooden It Be Lovely
It’s Scrapicated
Better with Bubbli
Shabby Shack
Jerzi Rae’s
The Roost
Magic Moon Crystals
Itty Bitty Fashion Trunk
Shayna Gibbons Keeley Boutique
Alive! on 66
Simply Fair
Brezie’s
Teal Owl Boutique
The Coop
Wine & Vine
Flea Market to Fabulous
Bewitching Botanicals

Christmas Market at the Brinkerhoff Mansion and Becker Library–  plan to join us for our Christmas Market—a perfect chance to shop local, find unique 1gifts, and soak in the holiday spirit.   Saturday, December 6th from 9a-3p.

HCFTA presents Dual Piano Christmas–  Friday, December 19-  Sunday, December 21st-  Hoogland Center For the Arts-  420 S. 6th Street-  Springfield, IL 62701.

The Hoogland Center for the Arts is proud to present Dual Piano Christmas starring Damien Kaplan and Mark Gifford. Show dates/times: Friday, December 19 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 21 at 2:00 p.m. in the LRS Theatre at the Hoogland. The Hoogland is located at 420 South Sixth Street in Springfield Illinois.

The duo that the Illinois Times called “Improvisational and strategically comedic” is back for more mischief and music. Comedy runs amuck throughout their programs and no one knows what is going to happen next – including Mark and Damien. The ghosts of past entertainers- such as Victor Borge, Liberace and Ferrante & Teicher- can be felt rampaging through the hall when Mark and Damien are at the keyboards.

Dual Piano Christmas will present some of your holiday favorites coming from two Steinway Grand Pianos, four hands, and two talented, creative brains letting loose for an evening of fun!

Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors (over 60) and students.

Pianos provided by The St. Louis Steinway Piano Gallery: https://www.steinwaypianogallery.com

Check out some of the great (unsolicited) Facebook comments about Dual Piano:
“Absolutely love them!”
“Going…..always a great time”
“Two talented guys!”
“These two are so talented & entertaining!”
“Springfield is so lucky to have such local talent in the Arts.”
“Awesome performance!!!”
“Always a fun time with these guys!”
“It was a fantastic performance! So much talent !”
“Amazing!! We enjoyed it soooo much!!!!”
“Enjoyed it very much! As usual!”

Cookies and Caroling brought to you by Destiny Church-  Sunday, December 7th at 5pm.  1425 N. 6th St.-  Springfield, IL 62702.  Cookies and Caroling is back this year! Let’s spread come Christmas cheer to our neighbors by singing songs and giving plates of tasty cookies!

Local First Springfield Holiday Market–  November 22nd from 9a-2p at Pole Barn Chic Events.  4491 Old Chatham Rd, Springfield.  Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there.  Shop local vendors and get your picture taken with Santa.

Kringle Market at Vinegar Hill Mall–  November 22nd– November 23rd.  Saturday  11a-3p, Sunday 12p-3p.  107 W. Cook St.-  Springfield, IL.  Indoor shopping with makers and lots of festive cheer!

Holiday Extravaganza–  November 23rd from 9a-4p at the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  Over 100 vendors, entertainment, a cake walk, Santa, concessions and more.

Illinois Local Holiday Market–  November 29th from 9a-4p.  Expo Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  Shop small! Admission is $5, 12 and under are FREE. Vendors, photos with Santa, Bluey and Bingo, and other entertainment.

Illinois Product Holiday Market–  December 5th– 7th at the downtown Y Block in Springfield, IL (4th and Jackson).  Friday 4p-9p, Saturday 11a-6p, Sunday 11a-4p. Hosted by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Located just north of the Governor’s Mansion.  Perfect for finding a great holiday gift.

Copper Coin Ballet Company:  The Nutcracker–  December 5th– 7th.  Friday at pm, Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 2pm.  Legacy Theater.  101 E. Lawrence Ave Springfield, IL 62704

Holiday Open House–  December 6th–  1p-4p.  Edwards Place-  700 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702.  Free open house, listen and sing carols around a piano,  meet a Civil War era Santa Claus. Refreshments provided.

SYPG presents “The Nutcracker”-  December 6th-7th. Saturday 2pm and 6pm.  Sunday 2pm.  Sacred Heart-Griffin Auditorium-  1200 W Washington, Springfield.

Breakfast with Santa at the Kidzeum–  December 13th from 9a-noon.  Hot beverages and breakfast foods available while spending time with Santa, along with holiday crafts, a dance performance, and other seasonal activities. Pre-registration is required, and tickets will go fast.

Caroling at the Carillon–  December 14th from 3p-5p.  Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon-
1740 W. Fayette Ave Springfield, IL 62704.  Sing carols around a bonfire and the carillon at beautiful Washington Park.

Holiday Pops in the Heartland- Pops–  December 14th– 3pm and 7:30pm-  Illinois State Library-  300 S 2nd St, Springfield.  Get in the festive spirit with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra!