December 1, 2023:
You can pick up an application at The Salvation Army in Kewanee, located at 119 N. Tremont Street. Children from 1-13 years of age are eligible for the Angel Tree. Applications are due December 1, 2023, and all you need to bring is your driver’s license and the medical card for your child. Time may be running out to turn in your application for an Angel on the Angel Tree but you still have time to fulfill an Angel from the Angel Tree.
Santa’s First Stop at Clover Public Library in Woodhull is for people of all ages at 4 PM. Come join us for a night to see Santa, enjoy refreshments, stories, crafts, and door prizes. The Clover Public Library is located at 440 N Division St in Woodhull.
The Village of Atkinson Christmas Festival begins at 5:30 PM. Santa will arrive on the firetruck at 5:45 and will be in the lobby for photos from 6-7:15 PM. Throughout the gymnasium/cafeteria, you’ll find kids games, cookie decorating, Christmas movies, soup and chili contests, raffles for great prizes, a children’s bike giveaway, and much more! The North Pole Post Office box will be set up to collect Santa Letters. There is a Christmas sweater/outfit contest, prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded. Plenty of parking in the lot behind the building and you can enter through the back doors, located at 107 S. State Street.
Deb Talan performs a live concert in Bishop Hill at 7 PM. A Potluck dinner begins at 6 PM. A $20-$30 Donation is suggested.
December 2, 2023:
Orion Cookie Walk from 9 AM to 12 PM at the First Baptist Church, located at 1001 9th Street. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bags and cash and get read y to shop. There will be Cookies, soups and dips.
Julmarknad in Bishop Hill from 10 AM to 4 PM.
The annual Lunch with Santa at the Kewanee Elks Lodge is on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 11 AM to 1 PM. There will be crafts and games while you visit with Santa. The Kewanee Elks Lodge is located at 113 N. Tremont Street. Bring your phone or camera to get your picture with Santa. This event is sponsored by the Kewanee Elks Lodge #724.
Galesburg Merry Market 2023 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Community Arts Center, located at 349 E. Main Street. Shop and support local artisans at the GCAC. In addition to the beautiful pieces available in our gift shop, these artisans will be set up in the middle gallery showcasing their wonderful creations.
Seminary Street Holiday Open House from 11 AM to 5 PM at 88 S Seminary Street, Galesburg. Visit the merchants of Seminary Street Downtown District for wonderful gift options, strolling musicians and carolers as well as a visit from Santa Claus as he strolls Seminary Street and visits each store. Come enjoy the holiday cheer as the merchants welcome you to support local small businesses in our downtown area! Enter to a gift raffle drawing for 1 of 4 holiday gift baskets filled with gift certificates to the merchants of Seminary Street! *Drawing will be held at the end of the day. Winners will be notified by phone
Hand Knitted Blanket Workshop from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill Street. Last chance to make a cozy hand-knitted blanket before Christmas for yourself or as an awesome gift. Just $80 includes all your materials and instructions. Only 7 spots left!
Wanee Cinemas, located at 106 S. Main Street, is showing the movie Elf at 1 PM, but the doors open at 11 AM for pictures with Santa for your kids. You can also enter to win a kid’s scooter. Bring along a coat to donate to Katies Coats for Kids.
Cambridge Christmas on the Square at 4 PM. A Spaghetti dinner for a goodwill donation at United Methodist Church from 4-6 PM. The parade begins at 4:40 PM from the Cambridge Fire Station and ends at the Bandshell at 5 PM. The tree lighting is at 5:15 PM. There are many family-friendly events happening around Cambridge.
The best holiday memories come from the annual trip to see Santa at the Geneseo Community Center. Children of all ages can share their holiday wish list and have their picture taken with Santa and his elves. No pre-registration is required.
December 3, 2023:
Julmarknad in Bishop Hill from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Abilities Plus Annual Holiday Open House and Wreath Sale. The Holiday Open House is on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 1 PM to 3 PM at their facility located at 1100 N. East Street in Kewanee.
The Kewanee Klassics are performing live at the First Congregational Church to raise money for the Kewanee Salvation Army 360 Life Center on December 3, 2023, at 2 PM. The First Congregational Church is located at 224 W. Prospect Street in Kewanee. Doors open at 1:15 for the Christmas Concert and the First Congregational Church Choir are special guests. There is no cost to attend but donations are accepted.
Galesburg Holly Days Parade at 4:30 PM with the Santa Rescue, followed by the parade at 5:00 p.m. in Downtown Galesburg. This year’s lighted nighttime parade theme is Decades of Holly Days and will feature over 70 entries, more than 1,500 people and tens of thousands of lights, representing festive scenes throughout the year, all from local organizations, businesses, schools, and community groups.
The Wethersfield High School Student Council is hosting its third annual Holly Jolly Christmas Festival from 3 PM to 5 PM, in the Blish Parking Lot. Admission is $5 per person but any adult joining a paying child gets free admission. There are new games and additions this year, such as an obstacle course race this year for kids. A picture with Santa Claus is only $5 and kids’ rides are $1 per person. There will also be live reindeer, an ornament and coloring station, take-home Christmas crafts for $1 each, face painting and Coco’s hot drinks and treats available for purchase. Don’t miss the Gingerbread Houses made by Wethersfield Seniors and vote for your favorite. There will be Christmas music and Christmas trivia questions with prizes.
The Lighted Parade begins at 5 PM. You can enter to be in the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Lighted Parade until December 1st. If you have any questions or need guidance on decorating a float, call the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce at 309-852-2175 for assistance. The parade begins in the former Tenney Bowl parking lot and will drive west on West McClure Street to Windmont Park. Santa will make an appearance in the parade again this year.
The Lighting of Windmont and Northeast Parks is around 5:30 PM.
December 15, 2023:
Miss World Festival Queens are accepting donations of teddy bears or new toys for their yearly Toy Drive through December 15, 2023. The organization collects toys and donations to kick off the holiday giving season and delivers the toys to children in the Children’s Hospital of Illinois (St. Jude Midwest Affiliate).
