URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The City of Urbana and the Urbana Arts & Culture Program announced the kickoff of the 2025 Trees & Lights from Around the World in Downtown Urbana this Saturday, December 6, 2025. This year will be the fourth year for the festival.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring Urbana mayor DeShawn Williams, will take place at 2 p.m. in front of the Cinema Gallery, and feature holiday carols by the Urbana High School A Capella group, group photos, and a guided walk to selected windows. The Cinema Gallery is located at 120 West Main Street in Downtown Urbana.
This year’s festival features 34 window art displays created by local artists, organizations, and businesses. Each installation highlights global cultural traditios, winter celebrations, and stories that reflect Urbana’s diverse and vibrant community.
Windows will remain illuminated nightly through December, and festival maps are at participating locations.
Additional Festival Highlights
- Photos with Santa at Lincoln Square Mall, Saturdays through Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Special PostMark Urbana ornaments will be hidden on select trees inside downtown businesses as part of the festival kickoff. Find all the ornaments to be entered to win $100 in prizes!
- Winter Lights in Downtown Urbana on Dec. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring immersive light installations and projection art
Still More December Events
- Riggs Christmas Market, currently running on weekends through Dec. 21
- Make the Yule TOAD Gay Holiday Art Market on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Independent Media Center
- The Mistletoe Market on Dec. 6 & 13 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- UFLive! presents Carl Johnson & the New Orleans Jazz Machine on Dec. 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. at The Urbana Free Library
- The Urbana Park District’s Winter Solstice on Dec. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Anita Purves Nature Center
- Ice Cream Social with UHS Race St Jazz Combo on Dec. 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. at The Yard on Broadway
The City of Urbana is proud to support Trees & Lights from Around the World, an original creation of We Love Urbana, in partnership with Urbana small businesses, the City of Urbana Arts & Culture Program, 40 North/88 West, the Rotary Club of Urbana, and the Urbana Park District.
