Holiday Getaways in the Land of Lincoln
From Springfield’s festive downtown to small towns like Carlinville and Pontiac, find holiday traditions that feel like coming home in the Middle of Everything.
Holiday Things to Do
Old Capitol Holiday Walks — Springfield
Description: Downtown Springfield’s holiday tradition: festive shops and eateries, performances on the Old State Capitol Plaza, visits with Santa, ice skating and special programs at nearby historic sites. Free to attend.
Dates: Nov. 29 – Dec. 20: Wednesdays 4–7 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Old State Capitol Plaza, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, downtown Springfield
Skating at Union Square Park — Springfield
Description: A synthetic-ice rink in the park beside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum — it works above freezing, with regular ice skates. Skating and skate loans (from historic Union Station) are free, with donations suggested, and there’s hot chocolate on select days.
Dates: Nov. 29 – Feb. 15: weekends 1–4 p.m., plus Holiday Walks Wednesdays
Location: Union Square Park, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield (across from the Presidential Library & Museum)
Holiday GLOW at Allerton Park & Retreat Center — Monticello
Description: A one-mile, after-dark walk through Allerton’s formal gardens and woodlands, lit with holiday lights and original illuminated artworks. Select nights add a Holiday Showcase of local vendors, mansion tours and Sweets with Santa.
Dates: Dec. 4-Dec. 31, 5–9 p.m. nightly
Location: Allerton Park & Retreat Center, 515 Old Timber Rd., Monticello
Trolley Lights Tour — Pontiac
Description: Hop aboard a trolley for a free evening tour of downtown Pontiac’s holiday lights. Tours depart hourly from Block 59 on the courthouse square, and no reservations are needed.
Dates: Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 5–8 p.m.
Location: Block 59, Courthouse Square, 112 W. Madison St., downtown Pontiac
Christmas in Carlinville — Hallmark’s “Merriest Christmas Town”
Description: Hallmark just named Carlinville its 2026 Merriest Christmas Town, and the historic square shows why: a light-filled holiday ceremony, a courthouse dressed for the season, and a holiday market of craft vendors in heated tents, with local shops and restaurants offering specials. The town will also be the backdrop for a 2027 Hallmark Christmas movie.
Dates: Friday, Dec 4th: 12-8, Saturday, Dec 5th: 9-8, Sunday, Dec 6th: 11-3
Location: Historic Square, Carlinville, with market venues including the Macoupin County Fairgrounds
Places To Stay
Historic Red Rooster Inn — Litchfield
Type: Renovated historic hotel with an on-site brew pub, in the Route 66 town of Litchfield lodging in Carlinville itself is very limited
Nearby To: Christmas in Carlinville (a short drive away)
President Abraham Lincoln Springfield — a DoubleTree by Hilton
Type: Downtown hotel
Nearby To: Old Capitol Holiday Walks; Skating at Union Square Park
Mansion View Inn & Suites
Type: Downtown Springfield inn and suites
Nearby To: Old Capitol Holiday Walks; Skating at Union Square Park
Hyatt Place Champaign
Type: Downtown Champaign hotel with 145 rooms and dozens of restaurants within two blocks (217 N. Neil St.)
Nearby To: Holiday GLOW at Allerton Park; Caprae at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Places to Eat
Cozy Dog Drive In
Type: Route 66 landmark — home of the “cozy dog,” a hot dog on a stick
Nearby To: Old Capitol Holiday Walks; Skating at Union Square Park
Maldaner’s Restaurant
Type: Springfield’s oldest restaurant (since 1884), serving contemporary American fine dining in a historic downtown setting (222 S. Sixth St.)
Nearby To: Old Capitol Holiday Walks; Skating at Union Square Park
Edinger’s Filling Station — Pontiac
Type: Service-station-themed restaurant in a former auto garage in downtown Pontiac (423 W. Madison St.)
Nearby To: Trolley Lights Tour (starts at Block 59, downtown Pontiac)
Caprae Restaurant at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Type: Farm-to-table restaurant on a working goat dairy and farmstead creamery near Champaign, with weekend brunch and dinner most evenings Tuesday–Saturday
Nearby To: Hyatt Place Champaign; Holiday GLOW at Allerton Park
Looking for more ways to celebrate the season? Explore holiday events, light displays and winter getaways across the state in Middle Wonderland.
Enjoy Illinois Inspiration Guide
Find unexpected ways to enjoy Illinois in this biannual inspiration guide that explores every corner of the state. Each issue offers a mix of travel stories, stunning photography and timely trip ideas that'll help you make the most of each season.
Share your Moments
#EnjoyIllinois