From the west side to downtown and beyond, area businesses and organizations are preparing for this season with cheerful events, shopping and nostalgic traditions for the whole family. We’ve charted a complete winter route with a little something for everyone this yuletide season.
WHITE OAKS MALL WINTREE WONDERLAND If it’s been a while since you had kids crying on Santa’s lap at the mall, now may be the time to return. New this year is Wintree Wonderland – a free admission event centered around a forest of 50 beautifully designed Christmas trees located in the former Hallmark store. Visitors can enjoy a make-and-take workshop hosted by local charities, pose at the “elfie” station, admire window murals created by high school art students, explore a giant gingerbread playhouse and view a collection of historic holiday photographs from the capital city. Santa will be there, and kids can get on board the A.L. express train for a ride around the mall. Each Sunday will feature a special event: teddy bear toss, pet pictures with Santa, The Polar Express movie pajama party and Christmas character meet-and-greets are all on the agenda. White Oaks Mall Wintree Wonderland continues daily through Dec. 31. Visit simon.com/white-oaks-mall for full event schedule and details.
VILLAGE OF JEROME FESTIVAL OF TREES A smaller tree forest, but with just as much spirit, will take place at the Village of Jerome’s Festival of Trees hosted in the Jerome Civic Center at 2901 Leonard St. This free event will be held from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30. The festival, open to residents and non-residents, features 10 decorated trees, kids’ crafts, hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating and the opportunity to vote for a favorite tree. Santa will be there for photos taken with your own phone or camera. The event’s grand finale is Sunday from 5-6 p.m. with a Christmas carol sing-along and tree lighting. The decorated trees will be available for purchase through a silent auction. Visit the event Facebook page for complete event schedule and details.
HOLIDAY ZOO LIGHTS Take a stroll and enjoy thousands of lights and displays at Henson Robinson Zoo from 5-9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning Nov. 28 until Dec. 21. The cost is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for children ages 3-12 and kids under two are free. Enjoy a hot chocolate or hang out under the tent with a s’more. Call 217-585-1821 or visit the event Facebook page for a complete schedule.
SANTA HOUSE AT THE SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT Santa is a mover and a shaker and heads everywhere this holiday season, including Springfield’s parks every Saturday and Sunday following Thanksgiving. Admission is free and people of all ages can take photos with Santa with their own phone or camera. Santa visits Dreamland Park Nov. 29-30, Gietl Park Dec. 6-7, the Funshop in Lincoln Park Dec. 13-14 and the Washington Park Pavilion Dec. 20-21. Santa keeps a tight schedule with all his engagements, so hours are 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays and 12-3 p.m. on Sundays.
OLD CAPITOL HOLIDAY WALKS AND TREE LIGHTING Enjoy a month full of holiday cheer with downtown shops decorated for the season. The holiday walks begin Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and continue every Wednesday and Saturday through Dec. 20. Each date will have its own experiences, adventures and specials, so check the Downtown Springfield Inc. Facebook page for more details. The Nov. 29 kickoff will include Santa, princess characters, caroling, hot chocolate and cookies, Holly the Lighted Bus and more. The official lighting of the downtown holiday tree takes place at 4:30 p.m.
ALPLM ACTIVITIES The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum will offer free admission from 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13, and 20 in conjunction with the Holiday Walks. Parking in the ALPLM ramp at Sixth and Madison will also be free on those evenings. Visitors are encouraged to pay it forward by bringing new personal hygiene items and socks for those in need. Holiday Walks will include winter-themed children’s crafts, festive lighting and effects and presentations of the popular “Ghosts of the Library” show at 5:15 and 6:15 p.m. The Copper Coin Ballet Company will perform selections from “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 13 and 20 with free, 30-minute shows at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING Skating returns to Union Square Park from 1-4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday beginning Nov. 29 through Feb. 15. Special skating hours will be offered on Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. during the Holiday Walks on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 and from 1-4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19) and Presidents Day (Feb. 16). Skating and skate rental are free, although donations are welcome to help maintain equipment.
HOLIDAY HISTORIC HOMES TOUR Enjoy twinkling lights and timeless architecture while exploring five treasured, historic homes – the Governor’s Mansion, Dana-Thomas House, Elijah Iles House, Edwards Place and the Vachel Lindsey Home – at 1 p.m. every Saturday leading up to Christmas. Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illinois-governors-mansion-holiday-historic-home-tours-saturdays-tickets-1916531751059?aff=oddtdtcreator.
GOVERNOR’S MANSION HOLIDAY TOURS The Illinois Governor’s Mansion will offer 20-minute guided tours to see its beautiful holiday decorations on select Wednesdays at 4 p.m. (Dec. 3, 10 and 17), and Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 21). For more information and to make reservations, visit https://IGMHolidayHistoricTour.eventbrite.com.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE The 2025 Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade takes place in downtown Springfield at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade begins at Seventh and Jefferson streets heading west, then turns south on Fifth Street, east on Monroe Street, north on Sixth Street and ends at Sixth and Washington streets.
ILLINOIS PRODUCT HOLIDAY MARKET This festive Christkindl-inspired market held on the Y Block north of the Governor’s Mansion will feature vendors showcasing an array of Illinois products, perfect for thoughtful gift-giving, stocking stuffers or just treating yourself to a little holiday indulgence. It will be accompanied by live music, chef demos, kids’ activities and Santa. It takes place from 4-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT KIDZEUM On Dec. 13, families are invited to enjoy a delicious breakfast, sip on hot chocolate, skate on an indoor sock rink and spend time with Santa. Children can create festive crafts to take home and play inside the hands-on museum. Space is limited, so reserve a spot for either 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required and tickets are available for purchase at https://kidzeum.org/events/breakfast-with-santa-2/2025/12/13.
This article appears in November 27-December 3, 2025.