The weekend brings Abingdon’s Christmas Lighted Parade, the Galesburg Express and free holiday movies, along with Santa visits, fundraisers, live music and more to the Galesburg area.
United Holiday Spectacular
What: See the United High School Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and Concert Band in this holiday concert.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: The Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Walk Through Bethlehem
What: Walk through Biblical scenes portraying key events surrounding the birth of Jesus and create a memory with your family.
When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 13
Where: Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy St., Galesburg
Local Author Fair
What: Meet local authors, browse books for all ages, buy signed copies. Free gift wrapping. Some authors may not take credit cards, so please bring cash or checks.
When: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Galesburg Public Library community room, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Christmas Lighted Parade
What: The parade leaves the fairgrounds, takes a left on Hunter Street, a right onto North Main Street, then heads south until reaching East South Street, then turns around to head back to the fairgrounds. Parade entries may be big, small, silly or sparkly. The top four floats will receive a prize. Enjoy cocoa and cookies around a fire at the fairgrounds after the parade.
When: 5 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Abingdon Fairgrounds, 914 N. Monroe St., Abingdon
Cost: Free
Witbit Swim
What: A partial WiBit will be in the water and available for use by all level swimmers at this special family swim event. The diving board will not be open. Swimmers age 8 and younger must have an adult within arms’ reach at all times unless a swim test is passed. Swimmers age 12 and younger must have an adult in the building at all times.
When: 1 – 4 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Hawthorne Pool, 2331 Veterans Drive, Galesburg
Cost: $7
Holiday Pop-Up Pub Crawl
What: Get your holiday shopping done with a drink in your hands at this third annual event. Participating establishments are Budde’s, Jimmy’s Pizza, The Bar 65, Smokin’ Willie’s and Opie’s Bar & Grill. Submit a “passport” with stamps from all these businesses for a raffle for prizes. Holiday music will be streamed.
When: Noon – 4 p.m. Dec. 13
The Galesburg Express
What: Activities include a make and take ornament craft at Personally Yours, a scented sachet craft at Cornucopia Natural Market and Deli or a storytime at Wordsmith Bookshoppe, each from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Jimmy’s Pizza. Enjoy a free Christmas craft and a $4 hot chocolate bar between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Sprinkle & Spoon. Other events are listed separately below for Discovery Depot, Orpheum Theatre and Taste of Candy.
When: Dec. 13
Where: downtown Galesburg
Snap a Pic with St. Nick
What: Taste of Candy hosts St. Nicholas during The Galesburg Express. Snap a Pic with St. Nicholas during this annual Christmastime event. There will also be raffles, tastings and giveaways.
When: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Taste of Candy, 61 S. Seminary St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Donuts and Cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus
What: Play in the museum, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and create in the Blick Art Studio.
When: visit with Santa from 8-10 a.m.; make Polar Express crafts, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Discovery Depot, 128 S. Chamber St., Galesburg
Cost: $15; $12 for members
Free holiday movies
What: At 2 p.m., holiday classic, “The Polar Express” (PG) will be on the big screen. The 7 p.m. film will be the audience’s choice from the Thanksgiving week poll: “Home Alone.”
When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: The Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: Free admission
What’s Up with Winter Weather
What: Learn about the changing of the seasons and the wild weather of winter. Discover how animals adjust to the changes, through adaptations, hibernation or migration. Class is held outdoors at the Lakeside Nature Center Shelter, with a nature walk through the woods, so dress for the weather. This program is for all ages.
When: 9:30-11 a.m. Dec. 13
Where: Lakeside Nature Center, 1033 S. Lake Storey Road, Galesburg
Cost: Free
Visit with Santa
What: Start the holiday season with Santa with a breakfast buffet. Kids can also enjoy coloring sheets and a storewide scavenger hunt with free surprises in every department. Get some holiday photos with your family.
When: 9 a.m. – noon Dec. 13
Where: Hy-Vee, 2030 E. Main S.t, Galesburg
Cost: $10; $5 for children age 12 and younger
Dink Before Christmas
What: Divisions for the tournament include Adult Men’s Doubles, Adult Women’s Doubles, Adult Mixed Doubles, and Youth Mixed Doubles. It is a double-elimination tournament and games will be standard scoring to 11, best 2/3 each round. Play with wooden paddles only; a limited amount of wooden paddles will be available upon request. This is not a rated tournament.
When: 8 a.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 14
Where: Lakeside Recreation Facility, 1033 South Lake Storey Road, Galesburg
Cost: $15
Boxcar Pizza with the Grinch
What: Enjoy a night of pizza, laughter and holiday mischief with the one and only Grinch. The event includes pictures with the Grinch, an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, fountain drinks, kids’ activities and a coloring contest.When: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14
Where: 1974 N. Henderson St., Galesburg
Cost: $15; $10 for children
Puzzle Piece Ornaments
What: Stop in the Art Studio to create a new ornament for your tree.
When: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14
Where: Discovery Depot, 128 S. Chamber St., Galesburg
Cost: Free with admission
Lindstrom’s Anniversary & PD C.A.R.E.S Holiday Concert
What: This is a re-scheduled event including a free concert to help support the community in need. Donations to PD C.A.R.E.S. are encouraged and always welcome. Come hear Daniel Leahy, Pippi Ardennia and the Experience perform songs you may remember. The Experience Allstar band includes Dave Plunk on bass; Dave “Stix” Sherrard on drums; Scott Grulke on percussion; Carol Maloney, Becky Fleisher, Lora Wright and Bobby Dillard, all on vocals; plus Pippi Ardennia and Daniel Leahy, with special guest artist, Micheal Leahy.
When: 3-5 p.m. Dec. 14
Where: Lindstrom’s TV & Appliance, 400 E. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Coming next week
Free movie: The Phoenician Scheme
What: Drop in to watch The Phoenician Scheme (Focus Features, 101 min., PG-13). There will be popcorn, too.
When: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 17
Where: Galesburg Public Library community room, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Making Spirits Bright Shopping Night
What: Come to shop and enjoy a cocktail or coffee from Innkeeper’s. Terry from Mane Attraction will be here with permanent jewelry as well.
When: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Fashion Farm Boutique, 72 N. Seminary St., Galesburg
Teen Movie Project Brainstorming
What: Over the next year or so, teens will write, direct, film, act in and edit an entire movie. But first, they need to decide what the movie is going to be. Come brainstorm some ideas about what this movie project is going to look like. Special guest Professor Dustin Morrow, a tenured professor in the School of Film at Portland State University in Oregon, as well as an Emmy-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and podcaster, will share his experience and expertise with teens and help them develop a jumping-off point for ideas for this film project. This group is for teens ages 12-18 or in grades 7-12. No registration is necessary.
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Galesburg Public Library CBI Bank & Trust meeting room, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Galesburg Register Mail.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: A Christmas Lighted Parade is among 16 events this weekend around Galesburg
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail / Galesburg Register-Mail
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