Stay informed about the latest events and activities in Decatur
The City of Decatur is collecting living Christmas trees to repurpose them as fish habitats in Lake Decatur. This initiative gives trees a new life after the holidays. Drop-off locations are available for residents.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is collecting live Christmas trees. These trees will be used to create fish habitat in local lakes.
The winners for Christmas Card Lane 2025 have been announced. The article provides contact information for WAND-TV in Decatur, IL.
Several holiday basketball tournaments are beginning across Central Illinois, marking the start of festive sporting events. These tournaments bring together local teams for competitive holiday-themed games.
This weekend's events include the annual '12 Bars of Christmas' pub crawl in Decatur, IL. Also featured is the Shelbyville Festival of Lights in Shelbyville, IL.
WAND TV will air special Christmas programming on Christmas Day. The lineup includes Christmas music and a special featuring Tom Brokaw, along with 'A Dickens Christmas'.
After the holidays, residents in Decatur, IL can recycle their live Christmas trees. The city offers a recycling program for trees to be disposed of properly.
Every Christmas Eve, NORAD undertakes the special mission of tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents to children worldwide. This tradition has been ongoing for 70 years, bringing holiday cheer.
The winners of the Decatur Christmas Decorating Contest have been announced. This event celebrates the festive spirit of the holiday season through creative home displays.
A special needs Christmas pancake party in Decatur provided smiles and camaraderie for attendees. The event brought together individuals from Illinois and surrounding states for a festive gathering.
WAND TV will be airing a variety of Christmas programs on Christmas Day. These special broadcasts are scheduled to entertain viewers throughout the holiday.
Information is available regarding which stores and restaurants will be open on Christmas Day. This guide helps residents plan their holiday meals and shopping.
Grayson and Grace Whitworth provided Christmas for 400 children in Southwest Decatur. They arranged toys for families lining up in cars outside their home.
The WAND Wake Up team visited Southwest Decatur to spread Christmas cheer. They were seen at 904 W. South Side Dr. in Decatur, IL.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is collecting live Christmas trees to create fish habitat in local lakes. This initiative helps aquatic ecosystems after the holidays.
A gold coin valued at thousands of dollars was discovered in a Salvation Army kettle in Decatur. This find occurred during the Christmas shopping season, highlighting community generosity.
Businesses in Taylorville are extending their hours this week to accommodate last-minute Christmas shoppers. Many stores will remain open right up until Christmas Eve to help customers find gifts.
Metallica frontman James Hetfield has released a spoken-word rendition of the classic poem "Twas The Night Before Christmas." This unique holiday offering is available for listeners to enjoy.
A farm located at 904 W. South Side Dr. in Decatur is illuminating the holiday season with a massive Christmas display. This display is a local attraction for residents to enjoy during the festive period.
A Christmas toy drive is being held to remember 5-year-old Andreas "Dre" Woodland. The event aims to keep his memory alive through community generosity.
The Maroa fire department will continue a tradition spanning over 35 years by escorting Santa on Christmas Eve. This beloved event brings holiday cheer to the community.
A free webinar titled "A Renaissance Christmas - Remix" will be presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
The Ursid meteor shower, the last major one of the year, is set to peak just before Christmas. This celestial event will offer glowing streaks in the night and early morning sky.
This weekend's activities across Central Illinois include a Christmas Movie at the Roxy Theatre in Shelbyville. The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 20th.
A Christmas family party is scheduled for December 19, 2025, in Decatur, IL. This event is a local holiday gathering for families.
The Austin drama departments are staging the classic holiday show, 'A Christmas Story: The Musical'. This beloved production brings a festive and heartwarming experience to the community.
Mariah Carey is celebrating the historic success of her 1994 hit, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. The song has broken Billboard's record for the longest-running number one.
Dove Inc.'s Christmas Care and Share program has been providing Christmas gifts to families in Decatur since the 1970s. This initiative continues to be a vital collaboration for the community.
The Decatur Area Arts Council is hosting an event featuring live music by Robb Patton & Lori Simon. Attendees can enjoy Christmas decorations and a festive atmosphere.
A local organization in Decatur is extending an invitation to the public for a special Christmas meal. This event aims to bring the community together during the holiday season.
Decatur First United Methodist Church will be holding three Christmas Eve services. This event is a religious service celebrating Christmas.
The Town of Decatur held its annual Christmas parade on Sunday afternoon. The event featured appearances from various characters, including Santa Claus.
Jingle Jam is an event that combines holiday fun with worship at a Decatur church. The event aims to spread Christmas spirit.
Shiloh High School students focused on helping others instead of counting down to Christmas break. They spread holiday cheer by preparing food baskets for families in need.
Hardy's Reindeer Ranch is bringing holiday magic to central Illinois, featuring a Christmas tree farm. The ranch is located near Decatur, IL, and is a popular destination for seasonal festivities.
The annual Guns and Hoses fundraiser in Decatur, IL, successfully brought in donations and spread holiday spirit. Participants were encouraged to share Merry Christmas wishes while supporting the cause.
The Decatur Police Department is spreading cheer through the 'Shop with a Cop' program, assisting children in the community to have a special Christmas. This initiative helps local youth experience the holiday season.
This guide offers advice for consumers looking to pick out the perfect real Christmas tree. It highlights the options available for those wanting a traditional holiday centerpiece.
Enjoy the Christmas Nights of Lights, a drive-thru light show at the State Fairgrounds, running through December 31st. This display offers a festive way to experience holiday illuminations.
The Illinois football team took time to spread Christmas cheer with a shopping spree for teen moms. This event occurred while they prepare for an upcoming bowl game.
The Macon County Recycling Center is now accepting old Christmas lights. This initiative helps with holiday waste management in the Decatur, IL area.
A 65-year University of Illinois tradition, Dial-A-Carol, is keeping the spirit of Christmas cheer alive by offering 24/7 songs. This initiative connects callers globally, continuing a long-standing holiday practice.
This weekend across Central Illinois, enjoy a variety of holiday events including a cookie walk, a LEGO build, and a Christmas movie. There's also a Mistletoe Market and a holiday baking challenge to get into the festive spirit.
The Farm City Christmas Market will be held at the Athens Farmers Market on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. This event is hosted by the Limestone County Farmers Federation. It offers a festive shopping experience.
The Historic Decatur Christmas Home Tour offers a peek inside beautifully decorated homes, featuring multiple Christmas trees and festive decorations. Visitors can admire elaborate displays, including a 12-foot tree and Santa Claus statues.
Local 505 firefighters organized and funded an event to help local children shop for Christmas gifts. This initiative is entirely run and funded by the firefighters.
Residents of Decatur can recycle their living Christmas trees through a partnership with Primient. This initiative aims to boost the lake ecosystem by repurposing the trees.
The City of Decatur is collecting living Christmas trees to give them a new life as fish habitats in Lake Decatur. This program helps the local ecosystem by providing shelter for aquatic life.
Trisha Yearwood has revealed her favorite holiday traditions and what she plans to bake this Christmas. She waits until the whole family is together to put up the Christmas tree.
Ripple Effect is spreading holiday cheer to those in jail through handwritten letters. This initiative aims to bring comfort and a sense of connection during the festive season.
More than 70 floats rolled through downtown Decatur, bringing holiday cheer, candy, and festive fun for the whole community. The parade featured a live commentary stage and a downtown route from 2nd Avenue.
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs presented the Gold Star Christmas Tree ceremony to honor fallen veterans. The event took place at the Lincoln Museum.
Decatur held its annual downtown Christmas parade on December 6, 2025. The event brought the community together for a festive celebration.
The 2025 Decatur Christmas Parade took place on December 6th. This event is a highlight for the local community during the holiday season.
The Decatur area saw a massive outpouring of support with thousands of donations collected for the Spirit of Giving campaign. This effort aims to bring smiles to children's faces this Christmas.
Families looking for the perfect Christmas tree still have time to visit local farms. Several farms are open and ready to welcome visitors to select their holiday centerpiece.
Area cut-your-own Christmas tree farms are inviting families to start their holiday traditions. These farms offer a selection of evergreen trees for customers to choose from.
Calvary Assembly is presenting 'Christmas Now and Then,' continuing their tradition of Christmas productions. This event follows their recent adult choir concert, youth play, and children's performances.
Toys for Tots is back this year with the goal of providing Christmas presents to children in need. The program continues its tradition of generosity during the holidays.
The Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk is a beloved holiday tradition marking the unofficial start to Christmas festivities. This event brings families together for shopping and visits with Santa.
This article provides a preview of what to expect during the Decatur Civic Center's tree lighting ceremony. It mentions upcoming free events for kids and the Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk.
Decatur Youth Services will host its annual Christmas Giveaway on December 14th at the Aquadome Recreation Center. This event aims to provide Christmas gifts to those in need.
Frances D. Tate has been named the grand marshal for the annual Decatur Christmas parade. She will lead the festive procession through the city.
This obituary for Eddie Smith notes that his funeral service will be held on Christmas Tree Road in Decatur, IL. The service is scheduled for December 4, 2025.
The Decatur Lighted Christmas Parade is scheduled to step off at 4:00 p.m. This article also touches on interviews with local Pearl Harbor survivors.
The Decatur Public Library is hosting a special event where children can meet Santa and the PawPrints pups. This event offers a festive opportunity for families to enjoy the holiday spirit.
Join the Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk happening this Wednesday. This festive event invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with special activities.
The popular holiday special 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center' will be airing on NBC this Wednesday. This broadcast brings a festive celebration to viewers.
The Decatur City Council has approved an early Christmas gift for residents by maintaining a flat property tax rate. This decision aims to provide financial relief to homeowners in the area.
The Oglesby Mansion will host its traditional Christmas Tea on December 7th. Visitors can experience a piece of Decatur history with a tour of the restored mansion.