GENESEO, ILLINOIS (December 2, 2019) — The 2019 Geneseo Christmas Walk will take place December 14th in Geneseo, IL. This year’s theme is “North Pole Christmas.” The following is a schedule of events for the day. Please watch for street closures throughout the day.
- 7:30AM Registration for Jingle Run — Call To Victory Christian Youth Center, 218 S State Street
- 8:30AM Jingle Run 5k starts — 218 S State Street
- 9–11AM: Breakfast w/ Santa — VFW — 223 S State St
- 10AM–8PM — Shopping and Dining throughout Geneseo!
- 11AM–12PM — Scott Gifford: Children’s Christmas Carol Uke Sing-ALong at Musical Memories, 112 N State Street
- 1-2:30PM — Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House at Musical Memories, 112 N State Street
- 2–3PM — Jingle Bell Obstacle Course at Geneseo Park District (Community Center Gym), 541 E North Street (for ages Pre-K to 5th grade)
- 2–4PM — Meet Santa Claus at the Geneseo Historical Museum, 205 S State Street
- 2PM — Doors open for “Elf” Sing & Cheer-Along at Central Theater, 111 N State St — there will be a free-will donation for Geneseo Backpack BLESSings
- 2:30–4:30PM — Holiday Selfie Station at Central Bank, 101 N State Street
- 3-5PM — Downtown Children’s Activitieso Making Reindeer Food at My Moon Creations, 104 S State Street
- o Kids Craft Geneseo High School Art Club Make Holiday Puppets at Smith Studio, 124 S State Street
- o Create Snowflake Ornaments at Geneseo Art League, 125 N State Street
- 3:30PM — Geneseo Elementary School Choirs carol in downtown Geneseo, intersection of State St and First St
- 3:30-4:30PM — Concordia Lutheran Church Handbell Choir at Musical Memories, 112 N State Street
- 3:30–8:30PM — Free Holiday Trolley Rides sponsored by Vibrant Credit Uniono (Trolley route will shuttle people between Downtown Geneseo at the Call To Victory Christian Youth Center, 218 S State Street and the Geneseo Moose Lodge #990, 1025 S Oakwood Ave., where free parking will be provided)
- 4-8PM — Geneseo Chamber Information Center and Christmas Card Stamping at Hanford Insurance, 119 S State Street
- 4PM — Concerts begin at First Congregational Church — 319 S State Streeto
- (4PM Geneseo Middle School Swing Choir and Treble Choir; 6PM Constance Deal and violin students; 7PM Geneseo High School Madrigal Singers and Recorders)
- 4PM Lighted Parade Staging and Judging — Grace United Methodist Church — 318 N Center Streeto
- (Parade entries wishing to be judged for the Lighted Parade Contest must report to staging area by 4PM, a warming station will be available at the church)
- 4:30–5PM — Maple City Ukestra at Musical Memories, 112 N State Street
- 5-5:45PM — Christmas Cartoons, Central Theatre, 111 N State Street
- 5–8PM — 2019 Geneseo Christmas Walk “North Pole Christmas”, Downtown Geneseo
- 5–8PM — Living Windows in storefronts throughout Downtown Geneseo
- 5PM — Christmas Walk Lighted Parade-steps off on North State Street and Brown Street and travels south through the downtown to the Historical Museum
- 5:30-7:30PM — Chicken Dinner — Open to Public — Geneseo Moose Lodge #990 — 1025 S State Street
- There is a cost of $8-$12 per person associated with this.
- 5:30-7:30PM — Musical groups and living scenes at Geneseo Historical Museum, 205 S State Street
- 5:30–9PM — Jingle Bell Skate at Geneseo Park District (Community Center Gym), 541 E North Street
- (skate rental $3, 3rd grade and under, 5:30–6:45PM; All Ages, 7–9PM)
- 5:45 pm (approximately) — All Children Need to Gather Around! Santa will join Mayor Carroll-Duda to light the Christmas tree on State Street in front of the museum after the Christmas Parade. Located at the intersection of State St and Second St
- 6–8PM — “THIS IS NOT A RECITAL” recital feat area piano and guitar students at Musical Memories, 112 N. State Street
- 6PM — Geneseo High School Madrigal Singers and Brass Players at Central Theatre, 111 N State Street
- 7:30–9:30PM — Christmas Karaoke with Most Wanted Karaoke and DJ Service at Raelyn’s Pub and Eatery, 217 N State Street
- 8PM — Featured Movie at Central Theater, 111 N State Street
- 8-8:45PM — Scott McAvoy: Rockin’ Christmas Live Acoustic — come dance with the Grinch and Cindy Loo at Musical Memories, 112 N State Street
- 8–11PM — Glow Bowling at Lee’s Lanes, 925 S Oakwood Ave (call 309-944-4334 to inquire about pricing)
- 8PM: 2019 Geneseo Christmas Walk closes
The following churches will be offering meals for a nominal price:
- First Lutheran Church, 114 E Main Street
- 4–7PM — Pasta Supper —Youth Ministries; Adults $6 Children 10 & under $4
- First United Methodist Church, 302 N State Street
- 4-7PM — Meal Site (Chili, Hot Dogs, Mashed Potato Bar, Desserts). Free hot chocolate at South Campus, 224 N State Street
- First Presbyterian Church, 133 E North Street
- Brats, hot dogs, BBQ, chili, vegetable soup, and pie
- First Congregational Church, 319 S State Street
- Meal Site — BBQ Pork, Brats, Soup/Chili, Pie and More
- Concordia Lutheran Church; 316 S Oakwood Avenue
- Cookie Walk and Pulled Pork Meal, 4–7PM
Warming stations will also be available at the following locations:
- Evangelical Free Church station near Central Bank at the intersection of State and First Streets beginning at 5PM — Free Hot Chocolate and Bibles
- First Congregational Church station near Smith Studio and Gallery at 124 S State Street — Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Chocolate beginning at 4PM
- First Baptist Church station @ Intersection of Second and State Street beginning at 4PM. Free Hot Cider
- Michele Weber-Enck American Family Insurance Agency @ 229 S State Street beginning at 4PM. Free coffee, cocoa, and cookies
- Bethany Winkelman State Farm Agency @ 113 S State Street beginning at 4PM. Free cookies and hot chocolate
- New Life Fellowship Smores Station @ Intersection of State and Second Streets beginning at 4PM
The Christmas Walk Stamp will be available for your Christmas cards at the Geneseo Chamber Information Center, located in Hanford Insurance, 119 S. State Street, 4–8PM, so drop off your postage-paid cards and special elves will stamp and mail your Christmas cards for you!
Be sure to see and bid on the magnificent Christmas trees and wreaths on display in stores throughout Geneseo for Geneseo’s Giving Trees, which is a campaign to raise money for local charities. For more details visit facebook.com/GeneseoGivingTrees.
Be sure to also visit the Geneseo Historical Museum! Living scenes of yesteryear will be depicted throughout the museum. Tours of the museum will be offered until 8PM.
This year’s Christmas Walk Ornament was designed by Dale Smith from Smith Studio and Gallery and features the theme of the Christmas Walk, “North Pole Christmas.” Ornaments are $10 each and available at RutabagA Art, 108 N State Street; Geneseo Art League, 125 N State Street; and Smith Studio and Gallery, 124 S State Street. Quantities are limited.
The evening will be filled with Christmas magic and we invite you to join us both that evening and at any time in Geneseo, Illinois. While in Geneseo, visit our many fine restaurants and shops. All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
For more information, call the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at 309-944-2686.
