Events

Kick off the holiday season with your family and friends at Downtown Effingham’s Hometown Christmas! Whether you’re hosting loved ones home for the holidays or starting your own holiday traditions, this magical evening is the perfect way to celebrate together.

Climb aboard for whimsical tractor train rides, 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!

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Food & Beverage | 3-5p
Macklin Kettle Corn
Joe Sippers Cafe
(costs associated with these vendors)

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Entertainment | 3-5p
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
•Cookie Decorating – Kirby Foods-Effingham
•Punch a Cup – Lakeland Rehab & Health Center
•Reindeer Food – The Royal School of Cosmetology

Additional Activities
•Bubbles – Wild Foam Adventures
•Story time with Mrs. Claus – Layna Bond & Associates | American Family Insurance office
•Tractor Train Rides – Bahrns Equipment, Inc., Roepke Overhead Door & Y-Yard

Special Guests
•2025 Miss and Jr. Miss Effingham County Fair Queen – Krista Phillips & Leah Ring
•Holiday & Winter Characters – Effingham High School Drama Club and Clint Holkenbrink & Brittany Blank (Wabash Communications)

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Lighted Christmas Parade | 5p
We are bringing Santa to town in sparkling style — join us as the streets come alive with lights, laughter, and holiday magic!

See below for route details and how to sign up!

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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.

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Live Music @ the Old Courthouse
6:15p | FACE Christmas Concert
6:45p | FACE Community Orchestra

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Lighted Parade:
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.

Bring your friends and family to experience this beloved holiday tradition.
🕔 Parade begins at 5p
📍 Starting at Baseball Card Connection, heading down Jefferson Ave to The Heart Theatre, and ending at 3rd St.

Sign up by Tuesday, December 2.

Participants:
2025 Jr. Miss Effingham County Fair Queen | Leah Ring
2025 Miss Effingham County Fair Queen | Krista Phillips
Bobcat of Effingham
City of Effingham
City of Effingham Caledonia Fire Truck
City of Effingham Fire Department
City of Effingham Police Department
Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota
DanceLife Center
Dieterich Bank
Eco-Trim 217
Fatso’s Famous Pizza
First National Bank of Waterloo
Goeckner Bros, Inc.
Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
Lucky Dog Grooming Salon
Mill Road Thresherman Association
Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC
South Central FS
The Heart Theatre
The Wellness Loft
TriPower Towing
W.S. Broom & Co. Furniture
Wabash Communications Co-Op

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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. 

View opportunities – click here to sponsor!

Sponsors:
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.

Contact Information:
Nicole Morrison
nmorrison@effinghamcountychamber.com
(217) 347-6282

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Follow @EffCoChamber or our event on Facebook to stay updated on Hometown Christmas details!