CHRISTMAS COMES TO MOUNT CARMEL, ILLINOIS
Relive your memories of Christmas past, create new memories for Christmas future, and all the while revel in the excitement of Christmas present during the 15th edition of Mt. Carmel’s “Christmas Uptown – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”, scheduled for Friday, December 2nd from 4pm-9pm on the city’s Market Street.
Christmas Uptown 2023 covers nearly 4 full blocks, and festival goers can enjoy 3 Scenic Carriage Rides, 2 North Pole Express Trains, 2 Rustic Wagons as they travel Market Street throughout the evening. Several Ponies will be available for Rudolph Rides, and new this year, the City Lights Trolley Tour which will even travel outside the festival area. Of course, all of the rides are free to the public! Also part of this family event, you have a chance to “create your own treat” at the S’Mores Making Station, even make a “take home” craft. Who wouldn’t want to take a few minutes to relive everyone’s favorite narratives of Christmas at Storytime with Mrs. Claus, and even talk to Santa himself on the Harris Insurance Group Pavilion after winding through the Festival of Trees in Merchants Park (Don’t forget to drop off your Letter To Santa next to the Santa House).
Maybe you’d like to join the fun at the Festive Face Painting station, or have a specially created balloon for the children. Again, there is no charge for these activities. While you’re inside the Wabash County Museum visiting local authors, offering their newest books, you’ll absolutely want to vote for the best entries in the Gingerbread House competition. You’ll for sure want to take advantage of the multiple Character or Family Photo Ops, especially the giant 10’ x 10’ backgrounds (including live characters from “Frozen” and “Polar Express”), just across the street from Veterans Park and the City of Mt. Carmel Christmas Tree. Then step inside the Wabash Senior Center for their Chili Supper Fundraiser, and where the kiddos can decorate their own Christmas Cookie, for a $1 donation to the Center.
Just down the street you’ll find a real, live nativity scene at Ambassador Christian Academy. Parents, let the younger folks burn off some energy playing Kid Friendly (ages 2 thru 7) games at the Winter Wonderland Play Zone, while those a bit older (8 thru 13) join the Snowball Fights along with Sports Teams from Wabash Valley College just a block away.
Throughout the entire evening we’ll bring you both the old and the new Sounds of Christmas! Relax with the “Strings of the Season”, catch the Christmas Beat with the “MSHC and MCJHS Jazz Bands”, relive your childhood with music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, gather round the “Strolling Victorian Carolers” (comprised of the MCHS Singing Seven), or just enjoy the background sounds of Christmas Uptown Radio.
Of course, you’ll no doubt be hungry. The vendors in Mistletoe Market, Santa’s Workshop and the Elves’ Cafe’ will be offering Sweets & Treats as well as fantastic festival food choices to satisfy almost every taste. Burgers, Soups, Sandwiches, Thai, BBQ, Pizza, Drinks and more are just a sampling of the menu, along with candy, cookies, Kettle Corn, caramel apples and Specialty Coffees – who knows what you might find! Vendors will also offer craft and other dry goods items. For even more fun, be sure to shop the Market Street Retailers, many offering snacks, refreshments and really fantastic Christmas sales on the items you need to complete your Christmas shopping list. These retailers, along with several food trucks, will host Santa’s Secret Shopping Event from 9am to 4pm prior to the festival.
Still want more Christmas in your life? Return to Market Street on Saturday at 5:15pm for the 57th Annual Mt. Carmel Lighted Christmas Parade, themed “Vintage Christmas”.
You can find more information on the Christmas Uptown Mobile App (download the mobile app at christmasuptown.com), our Facebook pages, “Christmas Uptown Mt. Carmel” & “Wabash County Chamber”, or by phone at 618-263-8405(Festival) and 618-262-5116(Parade).
And just one request we would make of you, please consider making a cash donation to Operation Share, helping to create a better Christmas for many children and families in Wabash County for nearly 40 years. Donations may be made on the mobile app, or online at christmasuptown.com!
