¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý

(WSIL) -- Communities across our region are getting into the holiday spirit with many different Christmas events. 

Check out our list of community gatherings in the month of December:

December 1

• Carbondale Tree Lighting
• Town Square Pavilion
• 5 p.m.
• Coats being collected for Coats for Kids

• MHS Madrigal Story Hour
• Marion Cultural and Civic Center
• 10:30 a.m.

December 2

• Holiday Block Party
• Eldorado
• 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Stress & Trauma Treatment Center's Family Center
• 1200 Locust St. 
• Free to the public
• Games, resources for families, hot chocolate, cookies, caroling, crafts, pictures with Santa, hourly giveaways
• Every child will leave with Christmas gift

December 3

• Hometown Holidays Light Show
• Carbondale Park District
• Hickory Lodge Admin. bldg at 1115 W. Sycamore St.
• Each evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• 2932 KY-849, Melber, Ky
• 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekends through Dec. 26
• Train ride through Christmas lights
• Cookie Decorating
• Story time
• Outdoor activities
• Petting farm

• 6 p.m.
• Carl Lee Park
• Food, Music, Carriage rides
• Kids crafts
• Used/New toy donations for The Giving Shop

• "A Christmas Story" showing
• The Varsity Center, Carbondale
• Tickets available
• Also showing Dec. 4&5 and 9-12

• Murphysboro
• 6 p.m. Tree Lighting
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Carriage rides 
• Photos with Santa
• MHS Concert Choir and MHS Jazz Band
• Food on site

December 4

• "Santa in the Park"ing lot
• African American Museum of Southern Illinois
• University Mall, Macy's parking lot, Carbondale
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Illinois Avenue, Carbondale
• 6 p.m.

• Christmas in the Village
• Cobden
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Holiday bazaars, open houses, Christmas lights
• Santa and Mrs. Claus 1-3:30 p.m.
• 3 p.m. Cobden School band concert at the park

• Jefferson County Historical Society 
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Dec. 5 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dec. 11 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dec. 12 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• TubaChristmas
• Carbondale University Mall
• 2 p.m. 
• Free to the public

• Santa Paws
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Marion Chevrolet, 2604 W. DeYoung St., Marion
• Pet friendly pictures with Santa
• Raffle prizes
• Food truck
• Proceeds benefit St. Francis CARE

• Jingle All the Way 5K
• 7 a.m.
• Calvert City
• Wear your ugliest sweater
• Proceeds to to Calvert/Sharpe Family Resource Center

• Pinckneyville Christmas Bazaar
• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Pictures with Santa
• Vendors
• Pinckneyville Middle School

• Candy Cane Hunt
• Ages 10 and younger
• National Quilt Museum, Paducah
• 11:45 a.m.
• Free for kids

• Christmas on the Square
• Perryville, Missouri
• 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ornament making
• 6 p.m. Light Parade, tree lighting
• 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Choir starts, hot chocolate, cookies, pics with Santa

December 5

• Christmas on the Square
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Johnson County Courthouse, Vienna
• Horse & Carriage Rides
  • Pictures with Santa
  • Miss Daisy the Cow
  • Candy Cane Hunt
  • Caroling
  • Christmas Cookie Walks
  • Children's Christmas Stories
  • Chili, Hot Dogs, Hot Chocolate
  • Gifts & Drawings for the kids
  • Kid Activities

• Meet Santa and holiday photos
• The Pavilion, Marion
• 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Free to the public

December 8

• Reindeer Story Hour
• Marion Carnegie Library
• 10:30 a.m.

December 12

• Christmas Changes Everything
• musical celebration
• Marion First Baptist Church
• 401 W Union St.
• 6 p.m.
• Free admission

December 15

• Grinch Story Hour
• Marion Carnegie Library
• 10:30 a.m.

December 17

• Christmas in Carterville
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Family friendly activities
• Lights
• Vendors

December 19

• Meet Santa and holiday photos
• The Pavilion, Marion
• 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Free to the public

December 22

• Santa Story Hour
• Marion Carnegie Library
• 10:30 a.m.
• Pictures with Santa

• Pjs and Pancakes for teens
• Ages 12-19
• Marion Carnegie Library
• YA department
• 3 p.m.

Christmas Day, December 25

• 5th annual community Christmas dinner
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Marion First Church of God
• 1409 Broeking Road, Marion
• Take-out orders to be made by Dec. 23