Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 6 p.m.

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The holiday season can't begin until Santa makes his way through the streets of Downtown Champaign. The Champaign Center Partnership is once again thrilled to bring you the 14th annual Parade of Lights!

 

This community favorite features floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus himself. The event concludes with the lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree in the One Main Plaza immediately following the parade.

 

Pre-parade entertainment begins at 5 p.m.

Enjoy the Parkland Wind Ensemble performing in the lobby of the new Hyatt Place, students and teachers from the Conservatory of Central Illinois will be entertaining at Inman Place, the Meadowbrook Church choir will be singing holiday songs at the Orpheum Children's Museum and your family will definitely want to make your way to the Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church to make a fun holiday craft. Special guests will also be joining the children at the craft. We don't want to give too much away but you don't want to be left in the cold. You may become a bit "Frozen". 

 

Free hot chocolate stations will be placed throughout downtown sponsored by Big Grove Tavern, the Vineyard Church, Boneyard Coffe and Tea, The News-Gazette and McDonald's. The CUTC Dickensian Carolers will also be strolling through the streets singing carols.

 

 

Our Parade of Lights will begin promptly at 6 p.m. and Santa Claus makes an appearance in his sleigh at the end of the parade.

 

 

Stick around after the parade for the tree lighting in One Main Plaza. Our carolers will perform a few more songs and then Santa himself will appear to light our Tree of Lights!

 

 

The fun doesn't end there! The Orpheum Children's Museum's Annual Snow Globe event begins right after the tree lighting. Follow Santa to the festivities!

 

 

Visit with Santa Claus from 3 to 5 p.m. on November 29th!

 

Santa will be visiting with children in the old Bank Champaign location in the M2 Building on Neil St. (301 N. Neil) before the Parade of Lights!

 

Parents! Bring your camera to capture this moment!

 

 

 

Please Note: In the event of severe and potentially dangerous weather (ice or snow storm, driving rain with lightning) the parade will be canceled.

 

 

Questions?

Contact Executive Director, Erin Lippitz, at 352-2400