Spectacular vacation lights exhibits are prevalent throughout Central Illinois

Drive past Champaign-Urbana to soak up some magnificent gentle exhibits this vacation season

Are you keen to drive throughout Central Illinois for good vacation lights exhibits? Don’t fear, we do that yearly! We’ve put collectively a brief record of the highest Christmas gentle exhibits throughout the higher Central Illinois area, together with Peoria, Mattoon, Shelbyville, Urbana, Chatham and extra.

Most of those listed are everlasting, annual fixtures of their communities. These exhibits are roughly inside a 90-minute drive of Champaign-Urbana, in each route.

(Questioning about vacation lights nearer to residence? Take a look at our Superb Christmas Lights round Champaign-Urbana native roundup, that includes shows in Champaign, Urbana, Paxton, Monticello, Mahomet and extra, COMING SOON.)

Candlestick Lane, Urbana

What: A neighborhood custom in Champaign-Urbana for greater than 50 years, that is what occurs when a decided group of neighbors create magic for space kids — and by no means let it go. This superb assortment of modest properties will wow you with their vacation spirit and creativity.
When: Opening evening is historically the second Saturday evening in December, which is Dec. 10 this 12 months. The show is lit each night by means of Christmas, or some years, by means of Jan. 1. 
The place: Situated at Grant Place in Urbana. Candlestick Lane just isn’t an actual avenue. Take Washington Road to Cottage Grove (south), flip onto Japanese Avenue, then to Grant Place. Go gradual, some folks stroll this avenue. 
Value?: Free

East Peoria’s Winter Wonderland (FOLEPI)

What: Generally known as “Folepi” to locals, the Pageant of Lights in East Peoria’s Winter Wonderland lights show has been a staple for greater than 30 years. It’s set to music — tune your automobile’s radio to 88.1 for vacation music to accompany your drive — and ensure to maintain your eyes peeled for the the common ski jumper function. Shows embody lighted arches and circus animals, the Western city, Area Land, the Sweet Cane Manufacturing facility, Prehistoric Land and extra. The Pageant’s mascot is the wood soldier Folepi, whose title serves as an acronym for “Pageant of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois.”
When: Opens Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving) by means of Jan. 2; 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; starting Christmas Eve, all nights are 5-9 p.m. For visitors updates, verify the Pageant of Lights Fb web page. It’s extremely beneficial to keep away from Friday and Saturday, if doable.
The place: About 1.5 hours from Champaign-Urbana. I-74 West to East Peoria, Exit 96. For extra data together with instructions, go to the Folepi web site.
Value?: Most autos are $10, apart from small buses ($30), and full-size constitution buses that are $150 (money, debit and bank cards accepted).

Gentle Up McFerren Park

What: Drive round McFerren Park and see sleek leaping reindeer, sweet canes, Santa and a manger. 
When: Opening on Nov. 26 and working till Jan. 2
The place: Situated at McFerren Park in Hoopeston, about an hour northeast of Champaign-Urbana. Anybody coming into the park must enter and exit by means of the south entrance off of Elm Road. 
Value?: Free

Chatham Gentle up the Park

What: Drive by means of greater than a mile of sensible vacation lights in Chatham Neighborhood Park. Contains greater than 100,000 lights, sculptures, arches, Santa, and extra.
When: Open Thursdays by means of Sundays from Nov. 25 by means of Dec. 25.
The place: Chatham is a suburb of Springfield, positioned simply south of the capitol metropolis. About 90 minutes from Champaign. The occasion takes place within the Chatham Neighborhood Park.
Value? $5/carload urged donation.

Celebration of Lights 

What: A drive-through vacation lights expertise positioned in LaSalle, close to Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.
When: Nov. 11 by means of Jan. 1, 5-9 p.m., Sunday by means of Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
The place: Metropolis of LaSalle, 90 minutes from C-U
Value?: The show is free to view however donations are all the time welcome.

Vacation Lights – Central Illinois South Loop

Begin in Champaign-Urbana, cease in Mattoon, head to Effingham, subsequent over to Shelbyville and again to C-U.
Whole drive time: 3 hours and half-hour

Effingham Wonderland in Lights

What: Drive by means of Neighborhood Park in Effingham for a magical show that lights up starting Thanksgiving evening. Search for every kind of larger-than-life shows. This 12 months, there shall be one SPECIAL walk-through evening on Nov. 23.
When: Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving evening) by means of Jan. 1, 5-9 p.m., Sunday by means of Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The place: Neighborhood Park in Effingham. Effingham is positioned simply over an hour from Champaign-Urbana on I-57.
Value?: Free

Mattoon Lightworks

What: Drive by means of Mattoon’s stunning Peterson Park to see an unlimited array of ordinary and animated vacation gentle shows. In recent times, new shows and LED lights have been added. Like Effingham, Mattoon Lightworks shall be holding a particular one-night walk-through occasion previous to official opening evening, this 12 months on Nov. 17.
When: Open Nov. 18-Dec. 26; hours coming quickly.
The place: Peterson Park, Mattoon. About an hour south of Champaign-Urbana. Take I-57 South, exit 190 B.
Value?: Free admission with donations accepted.

Shelbyville Pageant of Lights

What: The show consists of greater than 500 lighted scenes with a number of lighted arches. Contains conventional shows like manger scenes and Santa together with his reindeer, and a few not-so-traditional similar to a big lighted Menorah, and Santa using a motorbike. Watch this video earlier than you go. 
When: Open Nov. 18 by means of Jan. 1; 5-9 p.m., Sunday by means of Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The place: Forest Park, Shelbyville. About 1 hour, 20 minutes southwest of Champaign-Urbana. 
Value?: Free admission with donations accepted on the finish.

Did we miss your favourite neighborhood lights show in Central Illinois? E-mail us – editor@chambanamoms.com.

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Every part Vacation Season In and Round Champaign-Urbana