Carbondale Alerts

Holiday Season Kicks Off in Carbondale with Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the 34th Annual Lights Fantastic Parade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARBONDALE - 

Carbondale is ready to usher in the holiday season with two festive, family-friendly events: the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the 34th Annual Lights Fantastic Parade! 

Tree Lighting Ceremony 

Thursday, December 4 • 5–6 PM 
Town Square Pavilion 

Start the holiday celebrations early with the lighting of Carbondale’s Holiday Tree! Enjoy hot cocoa, treats, and a visit from Santa at this heartwarming community tradition. The event takes place at the Town Square Pavilion from 5–6 PM. 

34th Annual Lights Fantastic Parade 

Saturday, December 6, 2025 • 6 PM 
Downtown Carbondale (Illinois Avenue) 

The Lights Fantastic Parade returns for its 34th year, illuminating the Carbondale Strip with floats, bands, dancers, businesses, nonprofits, and thousands of twinkling lights. Family-friendly activities will take place before and after the parade. 

This year’s Grand Marshal is former City Manager and Council Member Jeff Doherty and his family. 

The main stage for parade announcements will move from the Town Square Pavilion to in front of the new SIMMS (Southern Illinois Multimodal Station) at Walnut & Illinois. 

This year’s celebrity announcer is longtime Southern Illinois radio voice Steve Falat, joined by special guest hosts. 

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Traffic Logistics for Saturday, December 6 

Street Closures 

  • Illinois Avenue closed 5–8 PM (Grand Ave. to Main St.) 

  • Mill Street closed at 3 PM for staging (line-up at 4 PM) 

Shuttle Service 

Free shuttles run from Murdale Shopping Center and University Mall. 

  • Service begins: 4:30 PM (every ~30 minutes until 6:30 PM) 

  • Return service begins: after parade 

  • Last departure from downtown: 8:30 PM 

Stops: 

  • Murdale Shopping Center: Pick up near the Barber Shop → Drop off at Dayemi Center (Oak & Illinois) 

  • University Mall: Pick up near Maurice’s → Drop off at Veterans Plaza (Washington & Main) 

Parade route/detours: https://lightsfantasticparade.com/#safety 

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Pre & Post Parade Activities 

Saturday, December 6 • 4–6 PM 
(Except Winter Market, open until 9 PM) 

Enjoy a full slate of free family activities across downtown and the Civic Center: 

Cookie Walk – Downtown Carbondale Businesses 

Pick up a map at Carbondale Main Street (121 S. Illinois Ave) or the Town Square Pavilion. 
Businesses interested in participating: eseanti@carbondalemainstreet.com or 618-529-8040. 

Cookie Decorating – Carbondale Civic Center Ballrooms 

Hosted by Landmark Realty Group. Free cookies, icing, sprinkles, and cheer. 

Cocoa Bar – Civic Center Lobby 

Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa before the parade. 

Letters to Santa – Civic Center Lobby 

All supplies provided for kids to send their wish lists straight to Santa. 

Santa’s Reindeer – Town Square Pavilion 

Visit and take photos with one of Santa’s reindeer! 

Winter Market – Town Square Pavilion (Open until 9 PM) 

Local vendors, crafts, photo booth, and holiday shopping. 
Vendor sign-up: https://forms.gle/3KcGQcoH1tXkRVCo7 
More info: eseanti@carbondalemainstreet.com or 618-515-5653. 

Window Decorating Contest – Downtown Businesses 

Theme: “Elves Gone Wild!” 
Judging on Dec. 5; winners announced Dec. 6. 
To enter: 618-529-8040 or eseanti@carbondalemainstreet.com. 

undefinedGet Involved: Registration, Volunteering & Sponsorship 

Float/Band Registration 

Register by Nov. 21: https://lightsfantasticparade.com/float-registration/ 

Volunteers Needed 

Help support Carbondale’s largest annual event with nearly 10,000 attendees. 
Volunteer sign-up by Nov. 21: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AABAE29ABFCC61-53540202-lights#/ 

Sponsors 

Special thanks to all sponsors for supporting the 34th Annual Lights Fantastic Parade! 

Santa's Helper: 
Clearwave Fiber • Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke, LLP • First Southern Bank • SIU Credit Union • Gayle Klam 

Reindeer: 
Neighborhood Co-op Grocery • E.T. Simonds Construction Co. • First Mid Bank & Trust • TJ's Fine Jewelry and Repair • Mid America Appliance Service 

Whoville: 
Amanda Sheffer • Global Gourmet • Tom Redmond • Ross & Sarah Gray • Gaertner CPA Group LLC • Glenn & Jo Poshard • Karl Bartelsmeyer • George & Diane Sheffer • Barbara & Jeff Doherty 

Interested in sponsoring next year’s event? 
Sponsorship form and details: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedddcVqk5VzXPJB0yTej-BRnIZqBYY55cRAl6Vd8I74EbLBw/viewform 
Sponsorship contact: tanderson@carbondaleparkdistrict.com 

Follow the Fun 

Stay updated on Facebook and Instagram at Lights Fantastic Parade. 

Media Contact 

Eva Fisher, Public Relations Officer 
City of Carbondale 
618-713-0711 | efisher@carbondaleil.gov 





“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
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