Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors BureauBN Life
Merry & Bright
Happy Holidays!
December is a month filled with holiday cheer, fun and festivities. Here are some events that will keep you busy this holiday season!
What | F1rst Fr1day: Once Upon a Holiday
When | Friday, December 4. 5 – 8pm
Where | Downtown Bloomington
Get ahead of your holiday shopping in Downtown Bloomington! Enjoy music, refreshments and live window vignettes.
What | Santa’s Station
When | Opens Saturday, December 5 and closes Thursday, December 24.
Where | Uptown Normal
Santa Clause will be checking in on all the boys and girls in town when he visits Uptown Normal at Santa’s Station!
What | Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Christmas Parade
When | Saturday, December 5. 10am -12noon
Where | Starts at Kingsley Junior High School and ends in Downtown Bloomington
The theme of the 86th Annual Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Christmas Parade is Christmas Commotion. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of one of the longest-running holiday traditions in Bloomington-Normal!
What | Christmas at the Courthouse
When | Saturday, December 5. 11am – 4pm
Where | McLean County Museum of History
Christmas at the Courthouse has become a time honored tradition. The McLean County Museum of History opens its doors to the entire community each year for a day of family fun and holiday cheer. Visitors can enjoy holiday music, caroling, homemade cookies, cider and more!
What | Ugliest Sweater Run
When | Saturday, December 5. 1 – 3pm
Where | Miller Park
Put on your best holiday cheer and come out to Miller Park for the 2nd annual Ugliest Sweater Run with Bloomington Parks & Recreation and Fleet Feet Sports. There will be a 1.5 and 3 mile non-competitive run or walk, with prizes awarded for special categories.
What | Twin Cities Ballet: The Nutcracker
When | Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6. 2 – 4pm
Where | Illinois State University’s Braden Auditorium
Twin Cities Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at Braden Auditorium takes the stage for the 34th time—a full performance of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet featuring guest artist Stephano Candreva, an exciting young Brazilian on loan from City Ballet of San Diego, with more than 100 dancers and 400 colorful costumes.
What | Victorian Christmas Splendor Program & Buffet Tea
When | Sunday, December 6. Two seatings: 1 – 2:30 pm & 4 – 5:30 pm
Where | Vrooman Mansion
Enjoy a sumptuous tea buffet in the lavishly decorated parlors of the Vrooman Mansion. The Tea Ladies will present their program dressed in Victorian costumes. The Victorian Christmas program presents the excitement of preparing for a Victorian Christmas in the 19th Century.
What | Christmas Party for Children of Unemployed Families
When | Saturday, December 12. 10am
Where | Bloomington High School
Since 1982, the Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce have sponsored the Children’s Christmas Party for Unemployed Families.
What | Christmas at the Mansions
When | Saturday, December 12. 2 – 8pm
Where | David Davis Mansion, Ewing Manor, Mystery Mansion
Tour these historic homes as they showcase Victorian and Edwardian decorations of Christmases long ago!
