Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Food, Beverage & Mugs | 3-5p _________________________________________________________________ Entertainment | 3-5p Additional Activities Special Guests _________________________________________________________________ Lighted Christmas Parade | 5p _________________________________________________________________ Santa House | 5:45-8p The big man in red is heading to his house — making his list, checking it twice, and arriving in style! 🎅 Santa’s elves at the Effingham Public Library are hard at work to make sure every child — young or old, naughty or nice — receives a personalized letter from Jolly Old St. Nick himself. This festive tradition is proudly sponsored by Tracy Willenborg, helping spread holiday cheer throughout our community. Request your letter here by Friday, December 5. _________________________________________________________________ Live Music @ the Old Courthouse Downtown Effingham Lighted Parade: Bring your friends and family to experience this beloved holiday tradition. Sign up by Tuesday, November 25. _________________________________________________________________ View opportunities - click here to sponsor! Sponsors: Contact Information:
Nicole Morrison Kick off the holiday season with your family and friends at Downtown Effingham’s Hometown Christmas! Whether you’re hosting loved ones home for Thanksgiving or starting your own holiday traditions, this magical evening is the perfect way to celebrate together. Climb aboard for cozy horse-drawn carriage rides or whimsical tractor train rides, and delight the kids with a chance to meet a live reindeer. Make memories visiting Santa, snapping photos with favorite Christmas and Disney characters, and creating festive crafts in Santa’s Workshop. As you stroll through the holiday magic, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, enjoy the sweet crunch of kettle corn, and soak in the sparkle and joy of the season. Bring the whole family downtown and make memories you’ll treasure for years to come!
Date and Time
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
Macklin Kettle Corn
Joe Sippers Cafe Beverage Cart
Tazza & Co.
(costs associated with these vendors)
Santa's Workshop (heated tent in the City parking lot)
•Bulb Planting - University of Illinois Master Gardeners
•Christmas Activity - C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corp.
•Christmas Coloring Pages & Pet Treats - Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS)
•Christmas Craft - Effingham County Case Managers
•Christmas Ornament - Caritas Family Solutions
•Cookie Decorating - Kirby Foods-Effingham
•Punch a Cup - Lakeland Rehab & Health Center
•Reindeer Food - The Royal School of Cosmetology
•Horse Drawn Carriage Rides - Yoder Horse & Carriage
•Two LIVE Reindeer & Sleigh - Prairie Moon Farm
•Tractor Train Rides - Bahrns Equipment, Inc., Roepke Overhead Door & Y-Yard
•2025 Miss and Jr. Miss Effingham County Fair Queen - Krista Phillips & Leah Ring
•Holiday & Winter Characters - Effingham High School Drama Club
We are bringing Santa down Jefferson Ave. in sparkling style — join us as the streets come alive with lights, laughter, and holiday magic!
6:15p | FACE Christmas Concert
6:45p | FACE Community OrchestraLocation
Fees/Admission
Get ready to be dazzled by a magical evening of holiday cheer and twinkling lights. Watch as beautifully decorated floats, festive vehicles, and singing elves illuminate the streets, spreading warmth and joy to all.
🕔 Parade begins at 5p
📍 Starting at Baseball Card Connection, heading down Jefferson Ave to The Heart Theatre, and ending at 3rd St.
Become a Sponsor:
Help brighten this holiday season by supporting this years event! Hometown Christmas offers a gift to the entire community as we gather together to celebrate this free event.
Horse & Carriage | The Wellness Loft
Santa's Workshop | City of Effingham/Visit Effingham; Wabash Communications Co-Op
Caroler | Al's Tire Mart & Electronics; Fifth Third Bank; HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital; Kirby Foods-Effingham; Patterson Companies; Premier Broadcasting | 97.9 XFM & KJ Country 102.3; The Heart Theatre; Washington Savings Bank
Santa Letters | Tracy Willenborg-Taylor Law Office
Candy Cane | Ameren Illinois; Balda Dental; Effingham Asphalt; Evergreen Nursing & Rehab; First National Bank of Waterloo; Lake Land College; Midland States Bank; Peters Buildings Inc.; S&K Ventures Inc.; The Beanstalk Boutique; W.S. Broom Co.
Nicole Morrison
nmorrison@effinghamcountychamber.com
(217) 347-6282
Contact Information
Send Email
Description
Follow @EffCoChamber or our event on Facebook to stay updated on Hometown Christmas details!Event Sponsors
HORSE & CARRIAGE
SANTA'S WORKSHOP
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CAROLER
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SANTA LETTERS
CANDY CANE
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