Events

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

Visit Santa, snap photos with favorite Christmas and Disney characters, and get creative with festive crafts in Santa’s Workshop.

As you make your way through downtown, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, grab some kettle corn and enjoy the lights, activities and holiday atmosphere throughout the evening.

Bring the whole family downtown and make Hometown Christmas part of your holiday tradition!

_________________________________________________________________

Vendors | 3-5p
Macklin Kettle Corn
Joe Sippers Cafe
The Flower Patch
(costs associated with these vendors)

Ameren Illinois

_________________________________________________________________

Entertainment | 3-5p
Santa’s Workshop (heated tent in the City parking lot)
•Bulb Planting – University of Illinois Master Gardeners
•Christmas Activity – Elite Hair Studio
•Christmas Coloring Pages & Pet Treats – Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS)
•Christmas Craft – Effingham County Case Managers
•Coloring Pages + Ducks – HSHS Medical Group
•Cookie Decorating – Kirby Foods-Effingham
•Reindeer Food – The Royal School of Cosmetology

Additional Activities
•Bubbles – Wild Foam Adventures
•Snow Globe – Effingham Party Globes
•Story time with Mrs. Claus (County Building) – WXEF/WKJT

Special Guests
•2026 Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Marah Kirk & 2026 Jr. Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Lydia Wendling
•Cindy Lou Who + Pickles the Mini Horse – Jadyn Pruemer
•EMBER A Capella (3-4p) – Effingham High School
•Grinch & Elves – Layna Bond & Associates + Lisa Cornell + Shy Haxton

_________________________________________________________________

Lighted Christmas Parade | 5p
We are bringing Santa to town in sparkling style, so 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 starts at Baseball Card Connection, heading down Jefferson Ave to The Heart Theatre, and ending at 3rd St.

Sign up today | $20 per entry | register by Tuesday, November 24.

Participants | 2026 Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Marah Kirk + 2026 Jr. Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Lydia Wendling + City of Effingham Fire Department + City of Effingham Police Department + City of Effingham Public Works + Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota + DanceLife Center + Dieterich Bank + Eco-Trim 217 + Effingham County CEO + Fatso’s Famous Pizza + Fine Arts County of Effingham + First National Bank of Waterloo + Flex ‘n Gate + HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital + Kane Personal Injury + Linders Limited LLC + Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC + Sacred Heart Youth Group + The Wellness Loft + Wabash Communications Co-Op

_________________________________________________________________

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 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.

Request your letter here by Friday, December 4.

_________________________________________________________________

Live Music @ the Old Courthouse
TBD | FACE Christmas Concert
TBD | FACE Community Orchestra

_________________________________________________________________

Become a Sponsor:
Support Hometown Christmas and help us keep this community tradition free for everyone! Sponsorships help cover the activities and experiences families enjoy throughout the event. View opportunities.

Sponsors:
Tree Top |
Bubbles | J&J Gaming
Horse & Carriage | Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC
Reindeer | Flex ‘n Gate + Kane Personal Injury + The Wellness Loft
Santa’s Workshop | Linders Limited LLC + Wabash Communications Co-Op
Snow Globe | City of Effingham + Visit Effingham
Caroler | Baseball Card Connection + Donsbach-Meinhart Country Financial Agency + HSHS Medical Group + HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital + Kirby Foods + Washington Savings Bank + WXEF/KJ Country
Social Media | Eco-Trim 217
Santa Letters | Brookstone Estates of Effingham
Candy Cane Supporter | Agracel Inc. + ARAB Termite & Pest Control + Balda Dental + Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota + Effingham Asphalt + Effingham Travel + Elite Hair Studio + Goeckner Accounting + Leisure Times + Peters Buildings Inc. + Totten Law Offices + Tuscan Hills Winery

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

_________________________________________________________________

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