Fall weather is hanging on in Bloomington-Normal, but there’s no denying that the holidays are here. WGLT's list of more than 40 seasonal shows, things to do and places to shop is not exhaustive but is aimed at filling your December calendars and hearts with the spirit of the season.
Stage shows
Holiday Spectacular: For more than two decades, dedicated local talent have come together annual to produce an original holiday revue. 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts; tickets $25-$42 at 309-434-2777 and artsblooming.org.
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol: The Dickensian tale of a grumpy businessman visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve is transported to Dolly Parton’s Appalachian homeland. Scrooge, here lording over an East Tennessee mining town, is converted through the power of ghosts and Dolly’s timeless catalog of Grammy-winning songs. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts; tickets $45-$114 at 309-434-2777 and artsblooming.org.
Jane Lynch’s ‘A Swingin’ Little Christmas’: Celebrated ISU alum Jane Lynch—known most other places as the mean cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester from Glee—brings her popular Christmas cabaret to Bloomington-Normal for the first time. Lynch is joined by Kate Flannery [one of Dunder Mifflin’s more inappropriate colleagues in The Office], Glee producer Tim Davis and a swing jazz quintet backed by SoCal multi-instrumentalist Tony Guerrero. 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts; tickets $42-$109 at 309-434-2777 and artsblooming.org.
Amahl and the Night Visitors: MIOpera continues its “Opera Goes to Church” series with a staging of the seasonal mid-century musical Amahl and the Night Visitors. The disabled titular shepherd boy lives with his widowed mother and are visited by Three Kings in search of a respite on their way to Bethlehem for, well, you know. Dec. 12-14 at First United Methodist Church, Normal; tickets $25 at miopera.net.
Dean Z’s Ultimate Elvis Christmas: For those who prefer their Christmas a little “bluer,” an Elvis tribute show features look-alikes singing that moody holiday hit and others from the King’s catalog. 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts; tickets $28-$80 at 309-434-2777 and artsblooming.org.
Nutcracker[s]: Two student productions of the classic holiday ballet based on E.T.A Hoffmann’s short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King are on tap in the Twin Cities. At Braden Auditorium in Normal, Twin Cities Ballet hosts its 43rd edition of the ballet Dec. 5-7, including an abbreviated option for teeny-tiny kiddos. USA Ballet has a narrated version on Dec. 21 in a lovely setting: Presser Hall on Illinois Wesleyan’s campus. For a professional version, you’ll have to venture to Peoria for Central Illinois Ballet’s production at Illinois Central College.
Live music
A Christmas Encounter: The Brass Band of Central Illinois plays unique arrangements of popular Christmas tunes, plus deeper cuts like Rimsky-Korsakov’s Procession of the Nobles, John Rutter’s Christmas Lullaby and a cornet trio to knock your socks off. 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Normal West High School, Normal; free. bbcil.org.
B-N Community Band: This seasoned group of recreational, pro, semi-pro and retired musicians gives its annual winter concert, playing a variety of festive pieces with special guests from the Unit 5 Junior High Honor Band. 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts; free. bn-communityband.org.
Holiday Pops in the Heartland: The Illinois Symphony presents its final concert of the year, featuring soprano Mikaela Bennett and the ever-popular Celebrity Conductor Challenge. It’s a hotly contested competition this year, with local politicians Dan Brady and Sharon Chung, philanthropists, business owners and Santa Claus himself vying for the chance to lead the orchestra in Leroy Anderson’s canonical Sleigh Ride. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at ISU Center for the Performing Arts; Normal; tickets $30-$50 at 309-438-2535 and ilsymphony.org.
Dueling Pianos at Destihl: The only thing better than impromptu keyboard covers of favorite songs by request is a holiday edition of dueling pianos with brisket buffet dinner, deserts and Destihl’s custom brews on tap. 6 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18 at Destihl Brewery and Beer Hall, Normal; individual tickets $85 at events.humanitix.com.
Light displays
Luminescence: Here is a rare chance see the Horticulture Center at night lit by hundreds of glowing luminaries, while most of the plants are in hibernation. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 6 at ISU Horticulture Center, Normal; $5-$10 [free for kids 2 and under] at horticulturecenter.illinoisstate.edu.
Wild Lights: Inspired by Lincoln Park Zoo’s landmark holiday lights display, Miller Park Zoo gets a twinkly glow-up with 50,000 bulbs, inflatables and festive décor placed by volunteers amongst the real stars of the Zoo—some of which come out to play at night. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 11-13 and 19-20 at Miller Park Zoo, Bloomington; tickets $5-$10 at millerparkzoo.org.
FOLEPI: A twinkle light replica of the Starship Enterprise is reason enough to venture to East Peoria for its legendary drive-through lights display, now in its fourth decade. Nightly through Jan. 4, 2026, at VFW Post 2078 Park, East Peoria; $10-$150 admission at the entrance. cityofeastpeoria.com.
Season of Light: The Illinois State University Planetarium looks up for this year’s celestial holiday lights display—it’s kind of their thing. Season of Light is themed around the winter solstice and the source of ancient customs derived from Egyptian, Roman, Pagan, Celtic, Nordic and Hopi traditions. Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 5-20 at ISU Planetarium, Normal; seating is first come, first served. Details at planetarium.illinoisstate.edu.
Holiday things to do
Normal Theater: Uptown Normal’s picturesque movie house is already in full festive mode, committing to a month of Christmas and Christmas-adjacent movies on the big screen [Batman Returns? Yes. Die Hard? Obviously. Hundreds of Beavers? Why not?!]. On Christmas Eve, there’s a triple feature of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life before the theater closes for the year. Schedule and $7 tickets at normaltheater.com.
Christmas Under the Dome: In conjunction with a holiday-themed First Friday and tree-lighting ceremony downtown, the McLean County Museum of History will have spiked eggnog and apple cider on tap, plus cookies, live music and samples of a new custom lager developed for the museum with Casper Brewing. Saturday is more kid-oriented, with crafting, cookies, hot cocoa and more. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6 at the McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington; free. mchistory.org.
Jammies & Jingles: This holiday hang for the whole family is as casual as it gets. Guests are encouraged to party in PJs at the Children’s Discovery Museum to kick off the holidays. Santa will be on hand for pictures [in his suit, most likely], and there are seasonal craft stations in addition to museum’s typical fun stuff. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Children’s Discovery Museum, Normal; tickets $11-$16 at childrensdiscoverymuseum.net.
Harvest Moon Drive-In: The region’s only operating drive-in movie theater has two options for its final screenings of the year: Zootopia 2 and The Polar Express. In addition to the movie, Harvest Moon is decked out for the holidays and has a hot cocoa and coffee bar, sweet treats, holiday lights preshow and meet-and-greets with Santa and the Grinch. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 at Harvest Moon Drive-In, Gibson City; tickets $10-$35 at harvestmoondrivein.com.
Christmas on the Farm: The third edition of Rader Family Farm’s Christmas-themed evenings first draw guests into the Orchard Barn, which serves pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, loaded potatoes and the farm’s famous donuts. Family-friendly activities include a North Pole-inspired village with photo ops, a tour of Santa’s workshop and postbox to express letters to Santa. On Dec. 6, 7 and 13, school choirs will be on hand for caroling, and the Schoolhouse has complimentary cocoa on tap. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 5-7 and 10-14 at Rader Family Farms, 1312 Ropp Rd., Normal; tickets $10 at raderfamilyfarms.com.
Jaycees Holiday Parade: With a theme of “Giving Back with Heart,” nonprofit organizations are the star of this year’s Christmas parade, organized by the Bloomington-Normal chapter of the Jaycees. The route kicks off from Kingsley Junior High School and processes south onto Center Street toward the McLean County Museum of History. 10 a.m. Dec. 6. bnjaycees.org.
Family Craft Fun: Kids and caregivers work together to put a personal touch on Christmas-themed crafts to keep or give away. 10-11 a.m. Dec. 6 at Lincoln Leisure Center, Bloomington; $24 at bloomingtonparks.org.
Merry Grinchmas: Canine family members get a holiday party of their own at this adoption event, where four-legged friends can meet and get a picture with the Grinch while the humans enjoy treats from a holiday bake sale benefiting Wish Bone’s homeless pups. 12-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Wish Bone Canine Rescue, Normal; wishbonecaninerescue.org.
Ugliest Sweater Run: The 12th edition of this fun 3-mile walk/run has selfie stations and prizes for those with the silliest sweaters, jankiest jumpers and cringiest cardigans. 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at Miller Park Pavilion, Bloomington; $10-$25 at fleetfeet.com.
Christmas at the Mansions: Bloomington-Normal’s trio of stately mansions are all dressed up for the holidays and have teamed for packaged self-guided tours of the David Davis, Ewing and Broadview estates on a single afternoon. 2-7 p.m. Dec. 13; $15-$20 at 309-828-1084, daviddavismansion.org and select retailers.
Broadview is also open to the public for free tours on the evenings of Dec. 16 and 18. Ewing’s free Christmas Tour takes place the evening of Dec. 18. And David Davis has $10 nighttime tours with costumed guides on Dec. 19 and 20.
Ugly Holiday Sweater Brewery Tours: In December, Destihl’s hour-long brewery tours aren’t all that different from any others, except for the uniform. The ugliest sweater among the bunch wins a prize, in addition to the generous tastings and souvenir pint glass. Timeslots beginning at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 at Destihl Brewery and Beer Hall, Normal; $15 at events.humanitix.com.
Christmas Movie Trivia: Test your knowledge of holiday hits like A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Elf and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, with winners of this themed trivia night taking home “a major award!” 6 p.m. Dec. 22 at Destihl Brewery and Beer Hall, Normal; tickets $5 with reservations required at TwinCityTrivia@gmail.com.
More Santa sightings
Breakfast with Santa: Mr. Claus will take his morning meal in the Twin Cities on Dec. 6 at Normal’s Community Activity Center and Dec. 13 at Rader Family Farms. For flapjacks specifically, head to the Bloomington-Normal Marriott on Dec. 13 for breakfast or brunch in your pajamas with the big guy.
Cookies and Skating with Santa: The North Pole’s most popular citizen takes a mid-afternoon cookie break at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA on Dec. 6. And with a little holiday magic on his side, Santa will simultaneously be donning skates at Bloomington Ice Center. Impressive.
Santa’s Station Normal: Santa’s warming hut at Uptown Station will be open for business most days in December. Dec. 10 gives priority to four-legged friends looking to get their picture with the guy in the red suit. Santa’s Station is a free service provided by the Town of Normal, but donations are collected for community nonprofits and other good causes. 5-7 p.m. weeknights and 1-4 p.m. weekends Dec. 6-23 (closing at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve) at Uptown Station, Normal. normalil.gov/santa.
Phone calls with Santa: Through a partnership with Santa’s international headquarters, McLean County parents can schedule office hours with Santa, arranging a time for him to call and talk with their 2- to 10-year-old kiddos. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 10; normalil.gov.
Candy Cane Drop: In his spare time, Santa volunteers with Bloomington Parks and Rec operating heavy machinery. And this time of year, he scatters candy canes in Miller Park. Rumor has it they become fully grown Christmas trees if left behind to take root—that’s why the kids [ages 3-12] are there to pick them up.10 a.m. Dec. 13 at Miller Park Pavilion, Bloomington; $12 at 309-434-2260 and bloomingtonparks.org.
Holiday shopping
Once Upon a Holiday: Downtown Bloomington’s final First Friday of the year fills the square with vendors and live entertainment, in addition to brick-and-mortars selling their holiday wares. Businesses will compete for the best window scenes, and you can glimpse the tree lighting and Livingston Santa while stocking up on gifts. 4:30-8 p.m. Dec. 5 in Downtown Bloomington. downtownbloomington.org.
Christmas on the Prairie: Downtown Lexington will host gobs of vendors [about 40] starting at 9 a.m. as part of a full, festive day with live music, kids’ activities, reindeer visits, horse-pulled wagon rides and Holiday Bingo at Analytical Brewing. A tree-lighting ceremony takes place in City Park at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in Downtown Lexington. lexingtonil.gov.
Old Rugged Barn’s Holiday Market: A 1920 barn-turned farm-chic event venue opens to the public for the seventh year, with 40 vendors selling their wares.10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Old Rugged Barn, Towanda. oldruggedbarn.com.
Christkindl Market: Artisan goods and crafts [including a couple dog-centric makers] are positioned throughout Destihl’s Barrel Room and production brewery for two full days. As a bonus, there’s a hot chocolate bar with collectible mug to take home. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at Destihl Brewery and Beerhall, Normal; destihl.com.
Yuletide Market: Dueling Christmas and Krampus markets in Downtown Bloomington last year have combined forces, filling the BCPA’s ballroom with trinkets and wares made by more than 60 Illinois artisans. On one end, is the merry and bright, while on the other, the delightfully dark, giving guests the option to visit one or both sides. Rivian provides all-day shuttle service between the market and the McLean County Museum of History. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Bloomington. thepaintedwraith.com/yuletidemarket.
Holiday Farmers’ Market: Bloomington’s farmers’ market has moved indoors for the cold months. The last market of the year has holiday wares for sale in addition to pantry items and seasonal farm-to-table goods. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Dec. 20 at Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington. downtownbloomington.org.
