Christmas Events in Southern Illinois: Santa Claus, Holiday Lights and Dickens During the Yule Season

DuQuoin. The DuQuoin State Fairgrounds hosts the Holiday Lights Fair starting November 23, which includes several lighted displays throughout the fairgrounds, as well as visits with Santa Claus. The Expo Hall opens Friday, December 7th with music, free train rides for kids, an activity corner for kids, visits and pictures with Santa, decorations, lighted trees, crafts, and food. The Expo Hall remains open on weekends through December 30th. The grounds are closed Christmas Day.

Nashville. Santa Claus rides his horse-drawn coach into downtown Nashville to launch the Christmas holiday season November 24, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. He alights on the courthouse square and enters his Santa House on the lawn and receives visits from area children who tell Santa what they'd like for Christmas. The children and their families also get a chance to take a ride on Santa's coach around the Courthouse Square.

Chester. Christmas On the River is held the first weekend of December. Visitors can also see the statues of Popeye at the foot of the Chester Bridge across the Mississippi River, as well as of Wimpy, Olive Oyl, the Jeep, and Swee' Pea located around the hometown of Popeye-creator Elzie C. Segar.

Carbondale. Lights Fantastic is the annual Carbondale Christmas Parade December 1 in downtown Carbondale. Between 70-75 floats and marching bands will start at 6:30 pm at Grande Avenue down to Town Pavilion on Illinois Avenue. Pre-event activities start at 4 pm.

Okawville. The Country Christmas Stroll is December 1-2. The stroll features on Saturday a flea market and Breakfast with Santa at 9am at the American Legion Hall. The weekend includes a Christmas House Tour of four homes and a church ($8), The Festival of Trees ($1 admission), crafts fair, food booths. Activities are centered on Community Club Park and elsewhere in Okawville, which is home to the Original Springs Hotel and Bath which still draws customers from across the country for mineral bath. massage, and spa treatment.