See what fun events are happening in November in Illinois.
Hobnob Market
Nov. 7-8, 2025, Springfield
More than your average antique market, Hobnob Market features more than 150 vendors of vintage and handmade items. Each winter, it celebrates the season with the Holiday Market in November.
Run by Scott and Holly Snelling, the market holds several pop-ups throughout the year, with their winter event being the perfect place to for your holiday shopping. Vendors have many items available for purchase, including old-fashioned finds and handmade goods and crafts. You can also purchase food and wine during the event.
Held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds , the Holiday market kicks off on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and continues all day Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about this market and other Hobnob Markets, visit hobnobmarket.com.
Christmas Barn Sale Trail
Nov. 13-15, 2025, Metropolis
Start checking off your holiday shopping list while driving from barn to barn through southern Illinois this November on the Christmas Barn Sale Trail. Artisans and vendors will showcase their unique goods at more than 10 barns in Massac County, all located within 7 miles of one another. Inside each decorated barn, shoppers can browse handmade crafts, vintage collectibles, antiques, one-of-a-kind gifts and more. The shopping experience also includes food vendors and photo ops with Santa. Tickets are required for the early bird VIP Experience on Thursday, but admission on Friday and Saturday is free. To learn more and see a schedule of barn opening times, call (618) 940-0743 or visit thechristmasbarnsaletrail.com.
WonderLight’s Christmas
Nov. 14, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, Madison
WonderLight Productions plans to bring this special event to the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison for the holiday season. Pack the whole family into the car and drive through this magical light show to see more than 1 million LED lights synchronized to Christmas songs played through your car radio.
The eight-week event kicks off Friday and runs on weekdays from 5 to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 5 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $7 per person or $30 per vehicle (up to seven passengers) Monday through Thursday and $30 per vehicle (up to seven passengers) on weekends. Group pricing can be found on the website.
To learn more or purchase tickets, visit wonderlightschristmas.com.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Nov. 15, 2025-Jan. 3, 2026, Lisle
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle celebrates the holiday season with an impressive color, light and sound show spanning 50 acres. Stroll the 1-mile paved path while listening to festive music and enjoying the light effects and concession tents along the trail. Then warm up beside the fire while roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Illumination runs Nov. 16 through Jan. 4 (closed select Mondays and Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Event organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as many nights will sell out. For more information and tickets, visit mortonarb.org.
Annual Kristkindlmarkt
Nov. 15-16, 2025, Peoria
Experience Old World Christmas Magic at Harmonie’s 10th Annual Kristkindlmarkt at the Lindenhof. This market models itself after the traditional German outdoor street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent.
More than 25 area vendors will be offering a variety of arts and crafts perfect for holiday gift-giving, including a number of imported items from Germany and Austria (such as German smokers and beer steins). Indulge in delicious international cuisine, like bratwurst, schnitzel, homemade strudel, glühwein, Bavarian pretzels, German beer and more. Christmas carolers, accordion players and a brass group will provide musical entertainment, and Kristkindl (Christmas Angel) and Santa Claus himself will be handing out candy canes to the little ones.
To learn more, call 309-444-4656 or visit peoriagermans.net.
Christkindlmarket
Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 2025, Chicago
Looking for a traditional German-style Christmas market experience right here in Illinois? The Christkindlmarket returns to Chicago this holiday season with its popular outdoor market inspired by the 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. In addition to the one at Chicago’s Daley Plaza, markets also will be set up in Wrigleyville and Aurora. The event features a unique shopping experience with vendor products from around the world, festive music, live entertainment, holiday decor and more. Come hungry because the market also includes an assortment of delicious traditional food and beverage offerings to choose from, including roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst and hot spiced wine. For more information and opening hours for each market, visit christkindlmarket.com or email info@christkindlmarket.com.
Victorian Holiday
Nov. 21-22, 2025, Lebanon
Take a stroll back in time with Lebanon’s annual Victorian Holiday weekend! Per tradition, the Ole’ Lamplighter will journey down St. Louis Street to light up the shops and town Christmas tree. Listen to carolers, musicians and madrigals dressed in festive outfits and enjoy traditional dancers and other jolly entertainers. Jump in a horse-drawn carriage, take a picture with Father Christmas and indulge in plenty of holiday sweets and baked goodies. Charming Lebanon makes the perfect backdrop for this historical holiday celebration.
For more information, contact 618-977-9713 or visit the Facebook page.
Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland
Nov. 21-Dec. 31, 2025, Lebanon
Celebrating its 18th year, the impressive holiday lights display at Horner Recreational Park is put on by a group of volunteers who work year-round to make this event happen. The drive-through light show blends nostalgic wooden decorations with modern displays, including the animated light show. As you drive through, tune your car’s radio to the event’s broadcast station for holiday music while you take in the lights. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. Visit lebanonswinterwonderland.org or call 618-660-7621 for more details.
Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Nov. 22, 2025, Chicago
Kick off the holiday season in Chicago at this free and family-friendly extravaganza on Michigan Avenue. Drawing more than 1 million visitors annually, the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival features a 1-mile, day-through-night celebration culminating in the largest nighttime parade in the country. Enjoy a thoroughfare of booths and free family activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., then stick around for the 5:30 p.m. parade, which includes a marching band, floats, giant helium balloons, Santa’s sleigh and more than 1 million sparkling lights. The festivities wrap up with the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular over the Chicago River at 7 p.m. For more information and a full schedule of activities, visit themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival or call 312-344-2336.
Pope County Deer Festival
Nov. 22, 2025, Golconda
Known as the “Deer Capital of Illinois,” Pope County has been celebrating its title for 63 years on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Festivities take place on Main Street in downtown, where the parade begins at 2 p.m. featuring themed floats, classic cars, marching bands, firetrucks and the Deer Festival Pageant royal court. Other highlights include an arts and crafts market and the Golconda Rotary Club’s barbecue pit, with all proceeds benefiting the club’s scholarship funds for Pope County High School students. Children’s activities include face painting, inflatables, a petting zoo and more. For more information, visit mainstreetgolconda.org or call (618) 683-6246.
Artists of the Corn Shuckin’ Awesome Art Market
Nov. 22-23, 2025, Shirley
Artists of the Corn, a central Illinois-based artist collective, hosts its third annual Shuckin’ Awesome Art Market this November. The free, two-day event features more than 30 local and regional artists and makers offering a wide variety of homemade goods for sale. Get a start on your holiday shopping while browsing one-of-a-kind items ranging from pottery and jewelry to fiber and glass art, mixed media designs and much more. The market takes place at Funk Farms Premium Beef in Shirley from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. For more information, visit artistsofthecorn.com or keep up with Artists of the Corn on Facebook at facebook.com/artistsofthecorn.
Annual Country Christmas Craft Show
Nov. 22-23, 2025, Gifford
Shop ’til you drop at the Country Christmas Craft Show, sponsored by The Gifford State Bank. The annual event takes place at Gordyville USA, located on Route 136 in Gifford (five miles east of Rantoul).
The craft show takes place in a welcoming, heated indoor facility with free parking and a $1 donation at the door. With more than 300 craft and food booths, guests can find that perfect gift for everyone on their list. Bring the kids for pictures with Santa on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All show proceeds benefit local community projects. For more information, check out the Facebook page.
Happy Holiday Railway
Select dates in November and December, Union
Forget the Polar Express – the Happy Holiday Railway takes place right in your own backyard with no trip to the North Pole required. Embark on a magical 40-minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus himself.
Hosted by the Illinois Railway Museum, this event is a perfect holiday activity filled with fun for the whole family. Children can visit with Santa Claus and his elves, plus enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. All aboard!
Advance reservations are recommended. Book your trip by visiting irm.org/event/happy-holiday-railway.
Native American Holiday Market
2025 dates TBD, Cahokia Mounds
Come one, come all to a cultural showcase that simply can’t be missed. Discover the craftsmanship of Native American artists at the annual Native American Holiday Market. From jewelry to paintings to metal work, pottery and more, you are bound to find beautiful items for sale (which also make for excellent Christmas gifts). Plus, you’ll be able to talk with the artists themselves and learn all about their inspiration and process. For more information about the event, visit cahokiamounds.org/events or call (618) 346-5160.
Santa Parade
Nov. 28, 2025, Belleville
Welcome Santa to town for the holiday season at the largest holiday parade in southern Illinois. Hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville, the annual event features festive floats, local marching bands, dance groups and more. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Third and West A streets and proceeds through downtown. Afterward, families can visit Santa in his house on Belleville’s Public Square through Christmas Eve. To learn more about the parade, visit belleville.net/586/holiday-events or call 618-233-6810. Find details and hours for visiting Santa’s House at bellevillesantahouse.com.
Chris Kringle Market
Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 2025, Ottawa
Head to Ottawa to kick off your holiday shopping at the annual Chris Kringle Market. This European-style Christmas market spotlights local artisans, boutiques and restaurants in an open-air setting in historic downtown Ottawa’s Washington Square and Jordan Block. Stop by to browse the booths featuring more than 80 vendors to pick up something special for everyone on your list. For more information about the market, visit facebook.com/ChrisKringleMarket, contact floreteventsllc@yahoo.com or call 815-530-9577.
