The weekend brings Bishop Hill’s Lucia Nights, Toulon and Geneseo Christmas Walks, along with photos with Santa, fundraisers, live music and more to the Kewanee area.
Party Pom Kits
What: Celebrate the New Year with a Party Pom Popper and a New Year’s Horn. Grab a kit on the second floor.
When: Dec. 1 – Dec. 31 while supplies last
Where: Kewanee Public Library District, 102 S. Tremont St., Kewanee
Cost: Free
Jingle Bell Skate
What: Enjoy Christmas music and skating in the gym. Wear an ugly Christmas sweater to compete for prizes. 5:30-6:45 is for children in third grade and younger, with the time slot of 6:45 – 9 for all ages.
When: 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: Geneseo Community Center, 541 E. North St., Geneseo
Cost: Free admission; skate rental is $5
Clay Snowman Craft for Kids
What: Stop by the second floor of the library to create an air-dry clay snowman.
When: 2-6 p.m. Dec. 12 and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Kewanee Public Library District, 102 S. Tremont St., Kewanee
Cost: Free
2025 Lucia Nights
What: Join the 2025 Lucia Nights (Festival of Lights) celebration, which is a Swedish tradition based on a legend of Saint Lucia, Queen of Light. During a famine in Sweden, on the longest and darkest night of the year, Lucia appeared wearing a long white robe and encircling her head was a crown of candles. Legend has it that Lucia appeared on a ship laden with food. When the ship was unloaded, both it and Lucia vanished. Girls in Sweden today wake their families Dec. 13 carrying a tray of Lucia buns while dressed in a white robe and wearing a crown of candles. On both nights, businesses and museums will have Lucia Girls to greet guests. Around the village, each building will have a single candle in every window and sidewalks will be illuminated by candles.
Restaurants will be open both evenings. Special Christmas gifts will also be on sale at stores. Lucia Nights officially begins in Bishop Hill with the Lighting of the Park Christmas Tree at 6 p.m. Dec. 12. The public is invited to bring edible ornaments to hang on the tree. After the tree lighting, there will be a variety of free Christmas activities. Coffee Creek will be playing a variety of Christmas and folk music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Steeple Building, The Vasa National Archives will have a pop-up display Donald and Lucia: a Swedish Holiday Classic, with readings of short Christmas stories. Deirdre and Fiona Light will be performing holiday music with their harp and accordion from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Prairie Arts Center. The Tucked in T’s will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Creative Commons.
The Galva High School Choir will be going from building-to-building singing Christmas carols. The Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will be singing from 6:30-7 p.m. at the Bishop Hill Methodist Church. On Dec. 13, Coffee Creek will be performing at the Steeple Building starting at 6:30 p.m. The Tucked in T’s will be performing from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Creative Commons. There will be a pop-up display Donald and Lucia: a Swedish Holiday Classic, with readings of short Christmas stories at the Vasa National Archives. Deirdre and Fiona Light will perform holiday music with their harp and accordion from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Prairie Arts Center.
The Peoria Cooperative Academy Madrigal Singers will sing from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bishop Hill Methodist Church. The Cambridge High School Choir will be going from building-to-building singing Christmas carols. There will be an Old-Fashioned Barn Dance starting at 7 p.m. at the Colony School with The Sangamo Stemwinders performing. Dances will be taught and called by Gail Hintze. Beginners are welcome; no partner is necessary. All these activities are free. Both Friday and Saturday, the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church will be hosting a Soup and Chili Supper, beginning at 4 p.m. A free-will donation is appreciated to cover the cost of the meal. A selfie station featuring Lucia and Tomte costumes will be in the Colony Church. There will be carols around the campfire at J. Goard Pottery.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 13
Where: various locations in Bishop Hill
Cost: Most activities are free
Toulon Christmas Walk
What: Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. and, weather permitting, be outside by the gazebo. Participating businesses are encouraged to decorate their front windows in the spirit of Christmas season. All people who wish to participate, please begin your walk at Nelson Auto Sales and pick up your game sheets. Christmas Ornaments in memory of loved ones, made by Christine Winscott will be available for purchase for $10, with proceeds to benefit the TCA and add to the Christmas Charity Auction for our local charities. Pat Sloan will playing from 6-7 p.m. at the Bistro, where the charity auction will be held at 7:30 p.m. The annual charity auction provides a happier holiday for many people who otherwise would not be able to. West Main Coffee & Books will have a limited drink menu of regular or white hot chocolate and a customizable hot chocolate toppings bar (with purchase of hot chocolate) during the Christmas Walk. There will also be a free Christmas kid’s craft and Polaroid photo booth.
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Toulon
Geneseo Jingle Run
What: Race around the streets of Richmond Hill. Restrooms will be available. Awards and post-race refreshments will also be in Shelter #4. Kick-off Geneseo’s Christmas Walk with this event. This is the 15-year anniversary of the annual holiday themed 5k run. The first 125 runners will receive a shirt, medals to be awarded to men’s and women’s top division finishers. All runners will receive jingle bells for shoes or bibs so they jingle while running.
When: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 13 (registration starts at 7:30 a.m.)
Where: Shelter 4, Richmond Hill, 600 HK Robinson Drive, Geneseo
Cost: $30
Geneseo Christmas Walk
What: The lighted parade will be at 5 p.m., with the City of Geneseo Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of State and Second Streets and the Windows of Hope concert is at 7:30 p.m. at Geneseo High School Performing Arts Center, 700 N. State St. The Geneseo Police Department toy drive will be held all day at the City Hall lobby, 119 S. Oakwood Ave. Other activities include open houses, a cookie walk fundraiser, live music, children’s holiday crafts, free children’s pony rides, a Gingerbread House competition and a Meet & Greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be free Trolley Rides between Geneseo Moose Lodge & Downtown Geneseo and several warming stations with refreshments either for monetary donations or complimentary. See Civil War Re-enactors from 4-7:30 p.m. at the corner of State and Second Streets near the Abraham Lincoln bust. The Lighting of the Luminaries will be at 4:15 p.m. at City Park and State Street. The Holly Jolly Christmas Party with a Live DJ, Holiday Trackless Train and ice sculptures is from 4-8 p.m. at Central Bank Pavilion. See the Geneseo Christmas Walk Living Windows from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Geneseo. Post Walk activities include a featured movie at 8 p.m. at Central Theater, 111 N. State St. or moonlight bowling at 8 p.m. at Arcadia Family Fun Center, 925 S. Oakwood Ave.
When: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: various locations in downtown Geneseo
Cost: Most activities are free or for goodwill donations
Visit with Santa
What: Come visit with Santa Claus. Complimentary treats from Scooters and free activity kits will be available for kids. Bring your cameras for a photo with Santa.
When: 10 a.m. – noon Dec. 13
Where: Kewanee Public Library District Community Room, 102 S. Tremont St., Kewanee
Cost: Free
Christmas Walk at the Center
What: The Geneseo Park District joins the annual Christmas Walk with a family friendly Jinglebell Obstacle Course. Participants will be timed while running through a winter wonderland in the Community Center Gym. For children in grades PreK-5.
When: 1-3 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Geneseo Community Center Gym, 541 E. North St., Geneseo
Cost: Free
Photos with Santa
What: Santa is rolling into town on his Harley-Davidson ready to spread Christmas cheer and take photos with kids of all ages. Enjoy the holiday spirit with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, and tell the big guy what you are wanting this year. Pick a present. Take up to 15-percent off all licensed H-D products. Smash a bulb to take $250-$1,000 off any pre-loved bike.
When: 9 a.m. – noon Dec. 13
Where: Wiebler’s Harley-Davidson, 623 N. Main St., Kewanee
Cost: Free
Photos with Santa at Good’s
What: Enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn, and cookies from Not Your Typical Karent. Make ornament crafts. Annie Crabtree with PiggyTail Tales will be giving out a signed copy of one of her books, What Happened to Santa’s Beard, to each family. Get free photos with Santa from photographer Cheri Long; the photo will be printed on site. There will also be a food and pet drive in partnership with Little Miss World Festival Talia DeRea and Lil Miss Kewanee Ruby Vandevelde. Please bring food pantry items as well as pet food donations.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Good’s Furniture, 200 N Main St, Kewanee
Cost: Free
Pictures with Santa
What: Bring the furbabies and the kids for pictures with Santa at the Chrome Gypsy Compound.
When: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Friends of the Animals, 600 N Lexington Ave, Kewanee
Cost: $10
Coming next week
Kids Christmas Party
What: Children must be accompanied by an adult for the fourth annual Kewanee Park District’s gathering where children can play games and do take-home crafts. There will be refreshments, photo opportunities, door prizes and more.
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 16
Where: The 19th Hole Restaurant, 1095 Cambridge Road, Kewanee
Cost: Free
Holiday Sip and Shop
What: Sip a holiday cocktail while you snag last-minute gifts. Pull an ornament for a special discount, enjoy a free gift and enter to win door prizes.
When: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Blissful Branch, 224 N Main St, Kewanee
Cost: Free admission
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Kewanee Star Courier.
This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Jingle Bell Skate is among 12 holiday events this weekend in Kewanee area
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Kewanee Star Courier / Star Courier
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