We may not have those perfectly timed, big fluffy snowflakes falling on cue, but that’s OK. There are still plenty of Christmas movie-worthy adventures right here in Little Egypt. You don’t have to grab a flight to one of those places that never seem to be on actual maps to experience the wonder of the season.
Include your family and friends to create memories to be cherished for years to come. Snap photos to share with future generations. Throw in some of the obligatory Christmas movie elements like decorating cookies, Christmas pageants, caroling, and shopping for or making special gifts for loved ones. Hopefully, you can avoid the conflict or classic misunderstanding that is in pretty much any movie. (DISCLAIMER: If it’s a full blown rom com you want, that’s between you and God…)
You can build an evening, Day trip, or an even longer stay. Check the pages for links to some of the unique, locally-owned lodging, food, shopping, and more for a DIY Christmas movie-worthy experience.
From tree lighting ceremonies and sparkling light displays to small town festivals and ice skating, you can find it downstate. There are many beautiful and meaningful ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. Although some events took place before it was even time to start opening your Advent calendar’s little drawers, many are still to come. While keeping your Christmas traditions, you might just discover some new ones. May you, your family, and friends be richly blessed during this wonderful season.
Please check the links to many Christmas festivities from I-70 (including Effingham) to the southern state line via the Christmas in Southern Illinois page. It is a continual work in progress… Before heading out, you may wish to check the provided link for each for specific info or changes.
Strawberry season has arrived in Southern Illinois. Blueberries, lavender, and other fresh edible treats will soon follow. Peonies are blooming, and Zinnia and sunflower fields will likely be ready in the future months for gorgeous bouquets. Don’t forget that there is even a gourmet mushroom farm.
As a kid, my parents took us to pick strawberries almost every spring. I remember my grandma going with us when I was really little. We often went to a spot near Farina. Of course, being kids, my brother and I probably looked forward to stopping in at Frontier Village on the way home for those huge, colorful, lollipops almost as we did being in the berry patch.
We also made memorable road trips to Blueberry Hill at Cobden. I don’t know that he is still there, but there was a really cool older gentleman named Moses that directed people to the right areas to pick blueberries. One of my aunts joined us for the adventure one year, and a neighbor friend came along another year. It was a fun event. Of course, we would drive around in the country and through the forest to see plenty of other sites in the area.
My mom would use some of the berries in a wonderful, no-bake blueberry cheesecake… We also made trips throughout Southern Illinois to pick blackberries, apples, and peaches. My parents would prep and freeze many of these fruits to use in the winter months. My parents canned and froze many things. Between these trips and our large garden, our deep freeze and a pantry closet in our guest room, we had a pretty good food supply on hand.
Listed below is a sampling of the many Southern Illinois Orchards, Patches, and Farms. This is by no means an all-inclusive list. Please be aware that due to COVID-19 precautions, places that previously offered U-Pick Opportunities may be unable to do so at this time. They may still have some wonderful, fresh treats already picked for purchase.
PLEASE contact each and/or check social media posts to see hours and if appointments are necessary as schedules may fluctuate before showing up to be sure they are open and not sold out of product.
We will continue to share posts from Southern Illinois farms, orchards, and farm stands, and farmer’s markets as we see them on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook page. When possible, links to contact info for them will be in the “Shop Local: Farmer’s Markets, Stores, & Stands” section of the ASOSI app as well as this website.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some of our beloved Christmas traditions to be postponed until next year, others will continue, go virtual, or have been modified. Fortunately, it is possible to see many Christmas lights throughout Southern Illinois from the safety and comfort of our own cars. Other events have been social distanced.
Route 13/West Maine Street, Carbondale, 2020
Carbondale’s annual Lights Fantastic Parade (I won’t say what year it started, but I did string battery operated lights onto my flag pole and freeze through the parade route with the Marching Salukis that year. People have fortunately found the secret to constructing floats that don’t catch fire as they go down the street now…) will be a drive by event this weekend.
Normally, there are many live Nativity Scenes. I guess the angel is normally socially distanced, and the Wiseman technically are distanced from the birth by a few years, but COVID-19 has also affected these events. So far, I have seen one scheduled for Carrier Mills.
Stores continue to be at reduced capacity as we have been on Tier Three of the COVID-19 mitigation, but some are able to modify and continue their Christmas Open Houses and sales. If you are near Salem, you may wish to follow the links below (or from the app or Events page) to see the happenings this evening at both Country Creek Treasures and The Rusty Nail. It is very important that we continue supporting our local shops, restaurants, lodging, and other small businesses when we have opportunity to do so. In the long run, supporting them supports our communities as a whole.
If you head to Salem this evening, you could also see the Lewis Family Light Display and possibly make the half hour drive on to Centralia’s Foundation Park to see Fantasy of Lights 2020. Have yourself a merry little family Christmas adventure or one of those Hallmark Movie script- worthy dates.
Division Street, Downtown Carterville, 2015
A mix of family, community,, and municipal displays light up this December Southern Illinois sky this year. We will add them to the list at the top of the Events section in the app and website as we become aware of them. You may want to pack up your hot cocoa for the road, grab a comfy car blanket, and set out to see some lights. Our recommendation is to see what is also close to your destination, such as lights or events in neighboring towns, places to get food, local shops, or possibly experience a stay in one of the cozy cabins or inns at Christmastime. Many are listed in the Lodging section of the app and this website.
Candy Cane Lane, West Frankfort, within past decade…
Some events this year may have food or beverage trucks on site. Spread S’more Love will be on site some at the Reis Christmas light display in Herrin. We will try to share info on the Facebook page and update the ASOSI app and the Events section of this website as we hear of more opportunities to taste a bit of Southern Illinois.
This pandemic has been a mean one, but it cannot stop Christmas, and it cannot stop Southern Illinois from celebrating the birth of Jesus–safely, of course!
Please see currently listed Christmas and seasonal events from the app/website below. We recommend checking back regularly for additions or updates as well as checking links before making a special trip to see something for any admission fees or last minute changes.
11/27/20 Farm Fresh Christmas Trees Opening Day Black Friday at The Patchhttps://fb.me/e/AJ5dEcg3
12/5/20 Frosty the Snowman and Home Alone at Oasis Drive-In Theater,fundraiser to benefit Marion Unit 2 Foundation, $30 per vehiclehttps://fb.me/e/3ELz5GiLG
Although it would be impossible to list everything happening south of I-70, an effort is made to try to list some highlights. If you have an event or know of one to submit, please email it to: asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com
