Things in Clinton County not only get busy this time of year, they start getting very festive too! Soon our towns will be twinkling with holiday lights, so if you don’t want to miss all the fun, be sure to put these fun events down on your calendar.
Photo Courtesy or New Baden Festival of Trees
New Baden leads the way with its 5th Annual Festival of Trees, November 20 – 21, 2015. You’ll find the town’s Civic Center transformed into a sparkling wonderland, with dozens of trees and wreaths decorated by local businesses, organizations and families. Enter the raffle and you might just win one! If you’d like to watch how the pros do it, check out the Glitz & Glam event on the 19th, where the design team from Grimm & Gorly Florist & Gifts, sponsors of this year’s event, decorate their tree. Other fun festival events will include a kids pajama and movie party, breakfast with Santa, North Pole Shoppes and a vendor and crafts fair. The festival is hosted by Zion United Church of Christ and you can check their website for additional information.
Photo courtesy of New Baden Festival of Trees
New Baden Festival of Trees
November 20 – 22, 2015
New Baden Civic Center
100 E. Birch Street, New Baden
Friday, 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Adults, $5; Kids 3-12 years, $3; $1 off with item for local food pantry or toy drive
Seniors 55+, $4 on Friday
618-588-3813
Glitz & Glam with Grimm & Gorly
Thursday, November 19, 2015
7:00 p.m.
$10/person. Includes decorating demonstration, snacks, beverages, one raffle ticket and a sneak peek at the trees and wreaths in the forest.
Reservations: nbfestivalortrees@gmail.com or 618-224-7825
Kids Pajama Party & Movie
Friday, 7:00 p.m.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, two sessions
City Park in Carlyle gets in the spirit with its Christmas Lights in the Park ceremony on Friday, November 27. Thousands of lights will turn the park into a wonderland of sparkle that will be on display through January 1, 2016. The display will be lit at dusk, followed by the Carlyle Christmas parade led by none other than jolly Santa himself. The parade begins at 11th street, then heads down Franklin to City Park where you can enjoy more glitz as Christmas Fireworks light up the sky. Santa will stick around so kids can have their pictures taken with him, and there will be refreshments for all.
Christmas Lights in the Park
November 27, 2015 – January 1, 2016
City Park
850 Franklin Street, Carlyle
Lighting ceremony at dusk
Christmas Parade, 6:30 p.m.
618-594-2484
For more merrymaking, head over to Breese the next night for its annual Christmas Parade. Follow the parade as it travels from the tracks on North Main Street to the park, where Santa will light up the park with fireworks. Kids will be able to visit Santa in his special hut too. As part of the festivities, the town has four drawing for Silver Bell Prizes. You can purchase tickets for the drawing at business throughout town. Be sure to stop by Breeze the week before Christmas too, when the town will be hosting its Tour of Lights.
Christmas Parade & Fireworks
Saturday, November 28, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Downtown Breese
618-526-7731
Now that you’re in the spirit, be sure to visit the stores in Clinton County for all your holiday shopping!