Carbondale announces tree lighting and 34th annual Lights Fantastic Parade

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — Carbondale will kick off the holiday season with two major community events: the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the 34th Annual Lights Fantastic Parade.

Tree Lighting Ceremony — Dec. 4

The city’s Holiday Tree will be lit during a community event from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Town Square Pavilion. The celebration will include hot cocoa, treats and a visit from Santa.

34th Annual Lights Fantastic Parade — Dec. 6

The Lights Fantastic Parade returns at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, along Illinois Avenue in downtown Carbondale. The parade will feature illuminated floats, marching bands, dancers, businesses, nonprofits and thousands of lights. Family activities are planned before and after the parade.

This year’s grand marshal is former City Manager and City Council Member Jeff Doherty and his family. The main stage for parade announcements will move from the Town Square Pavilion to the new Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS) at Walnut and Illinois. Longtime Southern Illinois broadcaster Steve Falat will serve as the parade’s celebrity announcer, joined by guest hosts.

Traffic and Logistics for Dec. 6

Street closures:

Illinois Avenue from Grand Avenue to Main Street will close from 5 to 8 p.m.

Mill Street will close at 3 p.m. for parade staging; lineup begins at 4 p.m.

Shuttle service:
Free shuttles will run from Murdale Shopping Center and University Mall.

Service begins at 4:30 p.m., with pickups about every 30 minutes until 6:30 p.m.

Return service begins after the parade.

The final shuttle leaves downtown at 8:30 p.m.

Shuttle stops:

Murdale Shopping Center: pickup near the barber shop, drop-off at Dayemi Center (Oak & Illinois)

University Mall: pickup near Maurice’s, drop-off at Veterans Plaza (Washington & Main)

Parade route and detour map: LFP Home – Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade.

Pre- and Post-Parade Activities — Dec. 6

Most activities run from 4 to 6 p.m., except the Winter Market, which is open until 9 p.m.

Activities include:

• Cookie Walk — Downtown businesses, maps at Carbondale Main Street or Town Square Pavilion.
• Cookie Decorating — Civic Center ballrooms, hosted by Landmark Realty Group.
• Cocoa Bar — Civic Center lobby.
• Letters to Santa — Civic Center lobby.
• Santa’s Reindeer — Town Square Pavilion.
• Winter Market — Town Square Pavilion, featuring local vendors, crafts and holiday shopping.
• Window Decorating Contest — Downtown businesses; theme is “Elves Gone Wild!” Judging takes place Dec. 5, with winners announced Dec. 6.

Float and band registration: Deadline is Nov. 21. Register at Float Registration – Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade.