Name: Walking Through Wonderland 2025
Start: 2025-11-26T17:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-11-26T20:00:00-06:00
Location: Community Park, Effingham, IL 62401, United States

Back for its 5th year, Walking Through Wonderland has become a cherished holiday tradition for families and visitors alike. ✨ Join us for this magical, family-friendly walk-thru experience on Wednesday, November 26th, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m.
For one night only, Wonderland in Lights will close to all vehicles and offer visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with our larger-than-life light displays. This event is free to the public, but donations are welcome.
View the displays at your own leisure, listen and sing along to your favorite Christmas music, visit with Santa Claus (and keep an eye out for The Grinch!) when you reach the end of the walk.
This year, the Effingham Police Department returns with the First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF) Toy Express! This nonprofit toy distribution program delivers toys to 100,000 children in more than 150 communities across the country, and Effingham is one of its first stops! Children will receive a golden ticket (while supplies last) at the beginning of the walk, starting at 5 p.m., and can redeem the ticket once they reach the end.
Enjoy complimentary refreshments, fireside, provided by Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota - Effingham and Joe Sippers Cafe, as well as food and drink available for purchase. The additional vendors are: Blaze & Glaze Pizza Co., Hometown Pretzels, Macklin Meadow Kettlecorn, Market Street Sweets and Marj's Macarons.
Don’t forget to stop by Visit Effingham's Holiday Headquarters, at the park's pavilion, to pick up your free holiday souvenir, make a Christmas craft, courtesy of the Effingham County 4H, + decorate a cookie with Effingham County Connections! You can even get your face painted by Make on Main while you wait (these activities are free to the public). Custom Visit Effingham mugs by Tazza & Co. will also be for sale at this location - the perfect holiday gift!
Parking will be limited at Community Park, so please consider using our free shuttles, operated by Wad It Up Transportation. The shuttle will run continuously, from 5 to 8 p.m., and will pick up and drop off at the Courthouse Museum parking lot. To extend your festivities, visit Light up the Lawn in Downtown Effingham to view our larger-than-life, 3-D holiday light displays.
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles -- excluding the evening of the walk -- seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. For more information, call the Effingham Tourism Office at 217.342.5310.