The weekend brings Williamsfield Winter Fest, Galesburg’s Holly Days Parade 2025 and Knoxville’s parade and walk, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Galesburg area.
Ornament Making Class
What: Make ornaments with Bowls by Brodie. Tickets include ornaments and a beverage of choice. All ages are welcome.
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Innkeeper’s Coffee, 80 N. Seminary St., Galesburg
Cost: $30
Jingle, Mingle and Glitter Night
What: Grab a signature drink or coffee and make a dent in your holiday shopping.
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Fashion Farm Boutique, 72 N. Seminary St., Galesburg
The Beauty of Christmas
What: Choral Dynamics presents “The Beauty of Christmas,” benefitting FISH of Galesburg. The show celebrates the beauty of nature, tradition, decorations, home, family, friends, the birth of Christ and the beauty of seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 6; 2 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: The Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: $14 plus fees; $4 plus fees for students
Holiday Open House
What: Visit the merchants of Seminary Street Downtown District for local gift options, strolling musicians and carolers. Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus as they stroll Seminary Street and visit each store. Enter a gift raffle drawing for a holiday gift basket filled with gift certificates to the merchants of Seminary Street.
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Seminary Street Downtown District, Galesburg
ArtBar: Steampunk Ornaments
What: Sip on a festive beverage while creating unique industrial ornaments. Come after breakfast or bring brunch with you. Grab a friend, get a drink and let your inner artist out. This workshop is for ages 21 and older.
When: 10 a.m. – noon Dec. 6
Where: Galesburg Community Arts Center, 349 E. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: $10
Williamsfield Winter Fest
What: There will be community open house events at the Williamsfield Fire Dept. and Double Take Bar & Grill; a Nativity scene display at Williamsfield United Methodist Church; and hay rack rides to tour holiday lights. Visit Santa’s Village for kids games, prizes, a cake walk and talk to Santa in the Caboose. The library will host a craft station, holiday read-aloud sessions, carolers, cookies and punch, door prizes and more. Local businesses will be open for the holiday walk from 6-8 p.m.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Williamsfield Veterans Park, West Gale Street, Williamsfield
Doom for Christmas
What: The Doom for Xmas show features A Site Beyond (Psychedelic Doom from Galesburg), Six Pack Sermon (Desert Rawk from Galesburg) and Tentacle Grave (Stoner Doom from Peoria). It is also A Site Beyond’s EP release party. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Seminary St. Pub, 105 S. Seminary St., Galesburg
Cost: Free admission
Magical Christmas parade and walk
What: The Christmas parade starts at 5 p.m. Several businesses will hold open houses from 6-8 p.m. The Knoxville Fire Dept. will have chili, potato soup, ham and beans, cornbread and beverages for sale; proceeds will go back to the fire department. Head First Salon will have refreshments and door prizes. Lisa Henderson-Hainshaw will play Christmas carols on the clarinet at the courthouse. Stir Coffee will have free drip coffee. Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home will have a children’s holiday craft, hot chocolate and refreshments. McFly Design will have a holiday basket giveaway. The Beehive is extending hours for its holiday market. Santa may be making appearances at some of these shops as well.
When: 5 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: downtown Knoxville
First Anniversary Open House
What: Help celebrate one year at the new location at this Christmas open house. There will be sales in every booth, entertainment by Sean Kistler, refreshments and door prizes.
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: The Junk Drawer, 74 N. Chambers St., Galesburg
Holiday Open House
What: The annual holiday open house was re-scheduled because of weather issues. Come enjoy holiday cookies, a hot cocoa bar and all the Christmas decor and gifts on display for you to shop.
When: 8:30 a.m. – noon Dec. 6
Where: Garden Gate Florist & Gifts, 104 S. Monroe St., Abingdon
The Polar Express Event
What: Dress in your pajamas and come listen to a reading of The Polar Express. There will be activities, a reading and packets of hot chocolate to take home.
When: 7-8 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Wordsmith Bookshoppe, 235 E. Main St., Galesburg
Holiday Bash and Vendor Pop-Up
What: Shop with a mix of local and out-of-town vendors with unique gifts and goodies. Visit with The Grinch and Santa while you browse and shop at your leisure. There will be Carnival Delights for lunch.
When: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Abingdon Community Center, 805 W. Martin St., Abingdon
Brunch, Sip and Shop with Santa
What: The Fourth Annual Brunch, Sip & Shop with Santa event includes a Christmas vendor market to check everyone off your list. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be snapping photos for free from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and the RAA taproom will have themed drinks and brunch items from the food street car.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: The Vault at Reserve Artisan Ales, 185 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Holly Days Parade 2025
What: This year’s theme for the annual Holly Days Parade is “The Great Galesburg Bake-Off.” Celebrate the holiday season with floats, costumes and a celebration of all your favorite baked treats — from cookies to cakes and everything in between. Local groups, businesses, and organizations will be showcasing their holiday spirit and “baking” creativity along the parade route at this family-friendly event. The parade starts at the corner of S. Chambers and Main Streets, heading west on Main Street, before turning left onto South Cherry Street, ending at the Knox County Courthouse.
When: 5 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Downtown Galesburg
Coming next week
Holiday Gift workshop
What: Sign up for a one-hour time slot to craft a variety of handmade gifts. For kids in grades K-6. Advance registration is required.
When: 3-7 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show
What: The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show is a live, one-of-a-kind musical variety show bringing all-time favorite Christmas classics and original sketch comedy antics to theaters across the country. It’s like a Grand Ol’ Opry show, mixed with old time radio, adding a healthy helping of Texas flair.
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: The Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: $29-$39 plus fees
Wine Cork Creations
What: Get creative with upcycled wine corks. Choose your project: create a wine cork Santa hat or a holiday tree. All supplies and crafting tools are provided. This event is recommended for ages 10 and older with adult assistance (because of glue).
When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11
Where: Lake Storey Pavilion, 1572 Machen Drive, Galesburg
Cost: $15
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Galesburg Register Mail.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Holly Days Parade and other holiday events around Galesburg this weekend
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail / Galesburg Register-Mail
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