For the holidays, plan some jollydays

From the Festival of Trees to First Night, here’s what to do for a special season

With the holiday season upon us, the Springfield community hosts a variety of celebrations that will have even Ebeneezer Scrooge joyfully singing, “ ’Tis the season.” For many, the “official” holiday season begins with Memorial Medical Center Foundation’s annual Festival of Trees.

The nine-day celebration, taking place Nov. 22 through Nov. 30 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Orr Building, features more than 100 trees and wreaths, each decorated with its own theme. The young, as well as the young at heart, can enjoy the giant teddy bear display, as well as the festival’s Gingerbread Village, which has more than 50 lavishly decorated gingerbread houses. The festival also has a children’s area where little ones can make Christmas ornaments and bracelets, and take photos with Santa.

The festival’s entertainment schedule includes musical performances from a variety of local groups, such as the Eddy Flute Choir, Springfield Municipal Band, Springfield Ballet Company, Prairie Land Dancers, Heart of Illinois Brass Band, Silver Steppers, Springfield Area Youth Jazz Band, Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus, Springfield Show Stoppers and many more. Hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 5 to 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day 4 to 8 p.m. Adults $5. Children ages three to twelve $2. Downtown Springfield comes alive with the city’s annual Old Capitol Holiday Walk, held December 3, 4, 10, 17 and 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. While visiting more than 60 unique shops, holiday shoppers enjoy music from the strolling musicians or take a ride on the city’s horse-drawn trolley.

Christmas would not be complete without the Springfield Jaycees annual Christmas Parade. This year’s parade, “Holiday Scenes from the Big Screen,” is scheduled Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. in downtown Springfield. Area music and dance groups join Santa as they float through downtown Springfield spreading holiday cheer.

For more information contact Rachel Griminger at 217-971-1652. As always, the sweet sounds of holiday music fill the air throughout the holiday season. On Nov. 22, the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) hosts the high-energy Bluegrass sounds of the “Cherryholmes Christmas.” Concert for the Grammy-nominated Midwest group begins at 8 p.m. in Sangamon