Santa in the Old State Capitol

• Saturdays: 2 pm - 5 pm
• Wednesdays: 5 pm - 8 pm
• Give your list to Santa while Mrs. Claus hands out candy canes
• While you wait, facepainting by Our Vibrant Community & children’s crafts

Santa Mailbox

• Located at the corner of 5th and Adams
• We’ll make sure your letters are delivered to Santa on time
• Thanks to the Springfield Art Association for creating the mailbox in 2016

Horse-Drawn Carriage by Red Gate Farm

• Saturdays: 1 pm  - 4 pm
• 12/2 no carriage
•  12/16 from Noon -3 pm
• Wednesdays: 5 pm - 8 pm
• Free rides, first come, first served
• Pick up on 6^th St. – Location TBA
• About a 10 minute ride
• Route goes north on 6th, to Washington, south on 5th, to Monroe

SYPG Elves on the Plaza

• Saturdays starting 12/2: 2 pm - 5 pm
• Wednesdays: 5 pm - 7 pm
• Say hello and watch the antics of the Springfield Youth Performance Group

Find Elf on the Shelf

• All days
• Participating downtown locations have hidden the tattle-tale elf. Where is he and what could he be up to? You’ll have to visit to find out!
• Locations include Arlington’s, Augie’s Front Burner, Cafe Moxo, Cold Stone Creamery, Daisy Jane’s, Milk & Honey Fresh Market, Murphy’s Loft, Recycled Records, Springfield Vintage, Springfield YMCA, Studio on 6th, The Roost, urban sassafras, and Wild Rose.

Chestnuts Roasting

• Dates and Times TBA
• Allow the warm and toasty smell of fresh roasted chestnuts to lead you to Old Capitol Farmers Market vendor Suttill’s Gardens, roasting chestnuts on the Old State Capitol Plaza.
• For a small fee, you can enjoy some–either as a tasty treat or as an old-fashioned hand warmer!

Musical Performances

Located in the Old State Capitol (OSC) or on the Old State Capitol Plaza (OSCP)

• Wednesday, 11/29 at 6:30 pm:
• Lanphier High School Choir (OSC)
• Saturday, December 2 at 1 pm:
• Blackwater Strings (OSC)
• Saturday, December 2 at 4 pm:
• Springfield Dance Theatre (OSCP)
• Wednesday, December 6 at 6 pm:
•  UIS String Quartet & UIS Chorus (OSC)
• Saturday, December 9 at 1 pm:
•  Seraphim (OSC)
• Wednesday, December 13 at 6 pm:
•  Rochester High School Choir (OSC)
• Saturday, December 16 at 1 pm:
• Uketopians (OSC)
• Saturday, December 16 at 2 pm:
• Springfield Showstoppers (OSC)
• Saturday, December 16 at 4 pm:
• Sacred Heart Griffin Band (OSCP)
• Wednesday, December 20 at 6 pm:
• Uketopians (OSC)
• Wednesday, December 20 at 7 pm:
•  Sound Celebration Chorus (OSC)

“Holidays at the White House” Exhibit

Located in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

• Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm

Special Holiday Events

Located at various Historic Sites

• Wednesday, 11/29, 3 pm - 8 pm:
• Dana Thomas House Evening Tours & Treats 
• Saturday, 12/2, 11 am - 3 pm:
• Illinois State Museum Super Saturday 
• Saturday, 12/2, Noon – 4 pm:
• Elijah Iles House Decorating
• Wednesday, 12/6, 5 pm – 8 pm:
• Elijah Iles House Candlelight Open House 
• Wednesday, 12/6, 3 pm - 8 pm:
• Dana Thomas House Evening Tours & Treats 
• Saturday, 12/9, 6 pm:
• 1850s Carols at First Presbyterian Church
• Saturday, 12/9, 1 pm - 4 pm:
• A Hisitoric Christmas including Children’s Activities at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• Saturday, 12/9, 1 pm - 4 pm:
• African American History Museum’s Holiday & Historic Crafts for All Ages
• Saturday, 12/9, 4 pm - 8:30 pm:
• Christmas at the Front: Illinois State Military Museum Holiday Event
• Wednesday, 12/13, 6 pm and 7:30 pm:
• Gaslight Christmas Tours at the Edwards Place 
• Wednesday, 12/13, 3 pm - 8 pm:
• Dana Thomas House Evening Tours & Treats
• Wednesday, 12/13, 5 pm - 8 pm:
• Elijah Iles House Candlelight Open House 
• Saturday, 12/16, 2 pm:
• Victorian Christmas Tea at the Edwards Place
• Saturday, 12/16:
• Elijah Iles House Children’s Activities 
• Wednesday, 12/20, 3 pm - 8 pm:
• Dana Thomas House Evening Tours & Treats 

President Lincoln & Mary

• Saturdays, Noon – 6 pm
• You’ll find the President and his wife, who always liked beautiful things, walking around the downtown shops and historic sites. Grab a Presidential Selfie when you can!

Free Bus Transportation

• Saturdays, Noon – 6 pm
• Wednesdays, 5 pm - 8 pm
• Catch a free ride on a special Holiday Route bus, which takes you from downtown and back to several historic sites decorated for the holiday season and with special holiday activities.
• Check out the map (coming soon) for the stops. The bus will circulate at all stops every 20 minutes (EXCEPT 12/2 & 9 due to longer routes those specific days).

Lighted Bus Selfie Station

• SMTD staff’s decorated one of the buses again this year, and it’s so bright you’ll want to wear shades!
• Find it and grab a memorable picture with your family and friends!
• Don’t forget the hashtag #merryandmischief

Hoogland Center for the Arts

• Saturday, 11/25 at 7 pm:
• Watch the movie “Elf” starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf
• Wednesday, 12/6 at 7 pm:
• Christmas with The Alley Cats
• Saturday, 12/9 & 12/16 at 7 pm:
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! on Stage
• Saturday, 12/16 at 7 pm:
• The Dual Piano Christmas Show