January 20, 2025
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5 things to do: Experience last weekend of Christmas activities in the Illinois Valley

By 5 Things to Do in Illinois Valley
An aerial view of the second annual Run, Run Rudolph 5K on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Rotary Park in La Salle. Around 400 light displays will be showcased this year during the event. The Festival of Lights opens to the public beginning Monday. It will continue through January 1, 2025.

Roughly 400 festive light displays are showcased for the public to enjoy at Rotary Park at 2845 E. Fifth Road in La Salle. The Celebration of Lights display will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. to Jan. 1 with special hours the week of Christmas from 5 to 10 p.m. (Scott Anderson)

Here are five things to do this weekend:

Celebration of Lights: About 400 festive light displays are showcased for the public to enjoy at Rotary Park at 2845 E. Fifth Road in La Salle. The Celebration of Lights display will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. until Jan. 1, with special hours the week of Christmas from 5 to 10 p.m. The attraction is free, but donations are welcome. Visitors can listen to holiday songs on the Christmas Station, 106.1 FM. It is the exclusive Christmas station for La Salle’s Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park.

Home for the Holidays Christmas Light Drive-Thru: The drive-thru light display at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton, will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with bonus days Dec. 23, 24 and 25. This will be the final weekend to visit the attraction.

Chris Kringle Market: Featuring more than 100 bakers, makers and creators selling all kinds of holiday gifts, the market under the string of lights on Jackson Street along Washington Square and in the Jordan block in the 100 block of West Main Street in Ottawa will open for its final weekend from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Created in the spirit of an open-air German Christkindlmarkt, the Chris Kringle Market features vendors selling all sorts of treats, gifts and handmade items.

Magical Christmas Light Rides: Light Up Streator will host its Magical Christmas Light Rides event from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at City Park. Horse and carriage rides will be provided for $5 per person by Otter Creek Carriages, with all proceeds to benefit Light Up Streator. The rides will travel around the park to view the thousands of lights on display put up by the volunteer-led group. The event will feature the Cruisin Concessions food truck and hot cocoa from the Central Church of Christ Youth Group. Santa will be in his house taking visitors.

Holiday party: The Princeton Moose Lodge and the Generic’s Band will host a holiday party from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. Celebrate the upcoming Christmas and New Year with food, music and fellowship. The public is invited, and there is no cover charge. The dining room will be serving from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Moose is located at 1339 N. Euclid Ave.

Would you like your event highlighted in this weekly feature? The first step is submitting your events to the Illinois Valley’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/illinois-valley/local-events.

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