Kick off the Christmas season in Lincoln with the Winter Wonderland and Holiday Express

 

[November 23, 2022] 

It is going to be an extra special holiday season in Lincoln, and it all begins this weekend.

On Friday evening, be sure to come out for the Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Logan County Courthouse Lawn. Then come back to the heart of the city on Saturday for the first day of Holiday Express Shopping. Support your locally owned small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

In addition to Christmas Trees and shopping, be sure to visit the many other attractions being offered over this first weekend of the Christmas Season.

Here’s a peek at what you will find in downtown Lincoln:

Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting
Local residents/ businesses sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree. The trees are displayed on the Courthouse Lawn beginning at the Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 25th at 5:30 PM.

Gingerbread House Contest

Local residents can participate in creating a Gingerbread House. The houses will be judged by the community and will stay on display from December 11th - December 18th at the Lincoln Art Institute.

Activities for Kids at the Lincoln Arts Institute

Head to the Lincoln Arts Institute on November 26th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM! They teamed up with The Center for Creativity & Community and will be offering kids face painting and a Candyland photo opportunity for families to enjoy.

Small Business Saturday

Beginning Saturday, November 26th, come tour 27 of your favorite Downtown local businesses to launch your Christmas Season. You will receive a ticket to be stamped at each location. Turn in your ticket by December 18th for a chance to win over $750 in local gift cards and prizes

*You must visit at least 10 participating locations and make a purchase (no minimum required, where applicable). Your ticket can be turned in at any participating business.
The winner will be drawn on December 20th.

Participating Businesses:

• Abe's Carmelcorn, Copper Penny, Debbie's Downtown Floral, Deep Roots, Elite Kicks, Flossie and Delzena's, Guest House Coffee & Pastries, Guzzardo's Italian Villa, Idle Hour, Indigo Quilt Studio, Lincoln Arts Institute/Moksha Center, Lincoln Library, Mary Todd's Hallmark, McEntire's Appliances, Midwest Dental, Pink Shutter, Podbelsek Family Creations, Renew Consignment & Thrift, Sherwin Williams, Small Town Creations, Sorrento's Pizzeria, Spirited Republic, Studio Three Hair & Beauty, Sublime Skin, The Bee, & Top Hat Creamery

Free Carriage Rides

Carriage rides in Downtown Lincoln start Friday, November 25th. Pick up and drop off will be in front of the arcade on Pulaski St. A sign-up sheet will be available, so you don't have to wait in the cold! There will be a person with a clipboard at the pick-up and drop-off location and they will get you signed up for a time slot. Once you check-in, you can go visit local downtown businesses while you wait. This is a FREE event. Check out the times and dates below!

November 25th: 6:00 - 9:00PM (begins after tree lighting ceremony)
November 26th: 12:00 - 3:00PM
December 2nd: 5:00 - 8:00PM
December 3rd: 12:00 - 3:00PM
December 9th: 5:00 - 8:00PM
December 10th: 12:00 - 3:00PM
December 16th: 5:00 - 8:00PM
December 17th: 12:00 - 3:00PM

Thank you to our sponsors who make this free event possible!
 

Abe's, Copper Penny, Debbie's Downtown Floral, Deep Roots, Elite Kicks, Flossie and Delzena's, Guest House Coffee & Pastries, Guzzardo's Italian Villa, Idle Hour, Indigo Quilt Studio, Joe Ryan Country Financial, John Hoblit Law, Lincoln Arts Institute/Moksha Center, Lincoln Library, Logan County Farm Bureau, Logan County Tourism Bureau, Mary Todd's Hallmark, McEntire's Appliances, Michelle Bauer Country Insurance, Midwest Dental, Pink Shutter, Podbelsek Family Creations, Renew Consignment & Thrift, Sherwin Williams, Small Town Creations, Sorrento's Pizzeria, Spirited Republic, State Senator Sally Turner, Studio Three Hair & Beauty, Sublime Skin, The Bee, & Top Hat Creamery


FREE Train Rides in Latham Park

Bring your kiddos to ride a mini train around Latham park! The train will be at Latham Park on Dec. 3rd, 10:00am-1:00pm & Dec. 10th, 1:00pm-3:00pm.

[Information provided by the Logan County Tourism Bureau]