Festival of Lights

Saturday, December 7, 2024

6:00 p.m. parade | downtown Baldwin City

Experience the magic of the season and a day filled with lights, music, food, crafts, and festivities! Bring your family, friend, or neighbor; for as Charles Dickens penned, “…there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.”

ACTIVITIES

  • Festival of Lights Parade

    At 6 p.m. floats draped in thousands of lights parade down 8th and High Streets. As the last float goes by, the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will commence beside City Hall followed by pictures with Santa Claus. Fireworks will be in the east following the ceremony. Thank you to Mediacom Communications Corp. for sponsoring the parade!

    See list of 2023 Float Winners

    Float registration for the Festival of Lights parade is now open! Floats are to be in line by 5:15 p.m. Registration deadline: Friday, December 6th. There is no fee to enter. Cash prizes are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category.

  • Holiday Business Window Decorating Contest

    Windows must be completed by the evening of Tuesday, December 10th, 2024.

    Winners will be announced Thursday, December 12th, 2024 at the Chamber's Holiday Open House.

  • Breakfast with Santa

    Baldwin City Community Center

    Session 1: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

    Session 2: 9:45 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

    Ignite the holiday magic by enjoying Breakfast with Santa!

    This traditional breakfast with the man in red brings out the kid in us all. Gather the family to enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast before heading out to enjoy other offerings in our community prior to Santa’s evening arrival at the Festival of Lights. In addition to breakfast, there will be a craft and time to visit with Santa. We offer two morning time slots, so whether you're an early riser or prefer to sleep in, we've got time with Kris Kringle for you. You won't want to miss it!

    Don’t delay - space is limited and tickets are required for this event!

  • 12th Annual Gingerbread House Party

    Lumberyard Arts Center

    We are grateful that, once again, this event is offered FREE to the USD 348 community through generous sponsorship by Xtream powered by Mediacom.

    This event is one of Baldwin City's holiday traditions and a highlight of the Festival of Lights evening. We cannot wait to see this year's creations that will be on display during the Festival of Lights Parade, December 7, 5-7 pm.

  • Holiday Bazaar at New Life

    118 5th Street | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

    Come and enjoy the special feelings of the Christmas season! Enjoy cookies and hot cider while shopping handmade crafts for that special gift. We will be serving lunch this year!
    Santa will make a special appearance at 1:00 p.m. so the kids can visit while you shop!

  • Soup Supper

  • Living Nativity

    Baldwin First United Methodist Church

    704 Eighth Street

    5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

  • Baldwin City Library