Calendar of Events
S Sunday
M Monday
T Tuesday
W Wednesday
T Thursday
F Friday
S Saturday
3 events,
Lake Land College Foundation Bourbon Raffle
Support student success and take your shot at an extraordinary prize! The legendary Old Rip Van Winkle Collection donated by Express Drive Thru in Mattoon — valued at over $12,000 and nearly impossible to find: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year (750ml) Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B 12 Year (750ml) Van Winkle Family Reserve
4 events,
FACE Community Christmas Orchestra Rehearsal
Youth-Adult Musicians Welcome/Intermediate-Advance/All Ages Rehearsals @ Sacred Heart School: 7p | every Thursday from October 2 - November 20 Youth-Adults are welcome to join the choir or the orchestra any time. FACE Community Christmas Concerts/Features Choir & Orchestra Saturday, November 29 @ 6:45p | Effingham County Courthouse Museum (Choir @ 6:15p) Sunday, November 30 @
4 events,
FACE Community Christmas Orchestra Rehearsal
Youth-Adult Musicians Welcome/Intermediate-Advance/All Ages Rehearsals @ Sacred Heart School: 7p | every Thursday from October 2 - November 20 Youth-Adults are welcome to join the choir or the orchestra any time. FACE Community Christmas Concerts/Features Choir & Orchestra Saturday, November 29 @ 6:45p | Effingham County Courthouse Museum (Choir @ 6:15p) Sunday, November 30 @
5 events,
Coffee & Connections @ Siemer Milling Company (Trades, Skills & Manufacturing)
Join us for a peer-led Coffee & Connections for Effingham County employers in trades, skills, and manufacturing. Bring one challenge and one win, compare what’s working (and what isn’t), and swap practical ideas on hiring, retention, training/onboarding, safety, and light automation. We’ll keep it simple: a five-minute welcome, attendee-led topics, quick share-outs, then open networking.
Ribbon Cutting @ Ivy + Birch Design Company
Join us as we celebrate Ivy + Birch Co., a growing interior design company that’s turning dreams into beautifully designed spaces! Ivy + Birch Co. has recently expanded to a talented team of three and opened their first official location — marking an exciting new chapter for the business. The company specializes in interior design,
6 events,
Sarah Bush Lincoln Holiday Festival
Mark your calendars for Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Holiday Festival! Join us online and in person to browse, bid and buy. The online auction opens at 8a, November 13 - featuring more than 80 unique items - and closes at 5p, November 17. In-person events at the Lumpkin Education Center include: Friends' Night Out from 5p-7p
Ribbon Cutting & Open House@ HSHS Center for Pediatric Therapy
Join us as we celebrate the ribbon cutting for the HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Center for Pediatric Therapy—the first and only comprehensive center of its kind in the region. This new child-friendly facility is designed to support growth, mobility, and independence, offering specialized speech, physical, and occupational therapy services tailored to meet the unique
FACE Community Christmas Orchestra Rehearsal
Youth-Adult Musicians Welcome/Intermediate-Advance/All Ages Rehearsals @ Sacred Heart School: 7p | every Thursday from October 2 - November 20 Youth-Adults are welcome to join the choir or the orchestra any time. FACE Community Christmas Concerts/Features Choir & Orchestra Saturday, November 29 @ 6:45p | Effingham County Courthouse Museum (Choir @ 6:15p) Sunday, November 30 @
6 events,
Pictures with Santa
Santa is coming to the Lake Land College Foundation! Join us on November 15th from 9–11 AM for pictures with Santa hosted by the Lake Land College Foundation! Enjoy cookies, crafts, a firepit, hot cocoa, and coffee while you celebrate the season! Spots are limited, so make sure to sign up here. We’re also collecting
Turkey Drop 2025
Road Home Program's 5th Annual Turkey Drop is currently open for registrations. This event is meant to honor our area veterans and service members for their service and sacrifices and to provide them a nice meal to share with their family for the holiday. 375 veterans and heroes participated last year, and we're hoping to serve even more this
4 events,
FREE Laundry Day
Effingham County ROSC & their 2025 Sponsors are providing FREE Laundry Days for the community! Quarters, detergent, dryer sheets, and various resources will be provided. First come, first serve. Last wash load starts at 12:30pm. Questions: Samantha Hicks, Effingham Co ROSC Coordinator (217) 663-0823; samanthah@hourhouserecovery.org Follow us on Facebook Check out our website!
4 events,
Top Community Leaders Awards Dinner
Join us for the 18th Annual Class of Top Leaders Under 40 and the 6th Annual Class of Up & Coming Leaders Recognition Dinner, presented by HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital and Lake Land College, on Thursday, November 20. These honorees exemplify empathy, inspiration, strong communication, and pride in their community. This special evening is
FACE Community Christmas Orchestra Rehearsal
Youth-Adult Musicians Welcome/Intermediate-Advance/All Ages Rehearsals @ Sacred Heart School: 7p | every Thursday from October 2 - November 20 Youth-Adults are welcome to join the choir or the orchestra any time. FACE Community Christmas Concerts/Features Choir & Orchestra Saturday, November 29 @ 6:45p | Effingham County Courthouse Museum (Choir @ 6:15p) Sunday, November 30 @
4 events,
Pink Friday in Downtown Effingham
Shop small. Shop local. Shop first this Christmas season! Kick off the holiday shopping season before the Black Friday chaos by spending the day right here in Downtown Effingham! Pink Friday is the small business version of Black Friday — a day dedicated to celebrating our incredible local boutiques, shops, salons, and eateries. It’s your
Business After Hours @ Elizabeth Yager Designs
✨ You’re invited! ✨ Our annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop is back and better than ever — and we can’t wait to celebrate the season with you! Join us Thursday, November 21st for our Opening Day Party, open-house style from 11AM-7PM at 814 E. Fayette Ave. in Effingham. Wander, mingle, sip, and shop at your leisure! We’ll have a
3 events,
Walking through Wonderland
You’re invited to an enchanting Visit Effingham experience! Walking Through Wonderland will host its 5th annual walk-thru event Wednesday, November 26th from 5 – 8:00 p.m. For one night only, Wonderland in Lights will close to all vehicles and offer visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with our larger-than-life light displays. This
3 events,
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
3 events,
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
4 events,
Small Business Saturday in Downtown Effingham
Small Business Saturday – Downtown Effingham Join us Saturday, November 29th for a downtown-wide celebration of local shopping! Support your favorite small businesses, discover unique gifts, and enjoy festive fun all day long. Many shops will offer special deals, giveaways, and holiday treats to thank you for shopping small! It’s also Hometown Christmas in downtown
Herman German Market
German Christmas Market with multiple local vendors offering Christmas items. Vendors include: The Place with hair tinsel and spiked boys hair, and face painting. Nyssa Strom - Nyssa's Knacks with Handmade Christmas Crafts Debbie's Creations with Embellished hats Painted wine bottles, bracelets, kitchen towels, glass trees and more Deloris Minardi with 18 inch doll clothes
3 events,
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
4 events,
FISH Annual Christmas Dinner Registration/Volunteer
Effingham County FISH Organization is once again spreading holiday cheer with the Annual Effingham County Christmas Day Dinner on Thursday, December 25, 2025 at the Effingham Event Center. 🍽️ Enjoy a free holiday meal — available for dine-in, delivery, or curbside pickup — open to all Effingham County residents and their families.💚 Donations are appreciated
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
4 events,
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
4 events,
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
4 events,
Wonderland in Lights
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk (11/26) -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, call the
4 events,
First Friday Networking Luncheon – Holiday Party
Take your networking beyond the boardroom and into the holiday spirit at our December Networking Holiday Party! We’re decking the halls (and the tables!) at Gabby Goat for a festive afternoon of laughter, great food, and connections that shine brighter than holiday lights. Celebrate the season with your fellow Chamber members - Enjoy lunch, networking, and plenty of holiday cheer.
4 events,
Downtown Effingham Hometown Christmas
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
Breakfast with Santa
Celebrate the holiday season with the annual Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Unit 40 Education Foundation! Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast served with a side of rope sausage, coffee, orange juice, or milk. Kids will love creating a specialty Snowman Pancake. There will be a Santa Shoppe for kids to purchase goodies. Enjoy taking