Dickens on the Square
2025-12-06 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Macomb Downtown Square, 1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
Dickens on the Square is celebrating its 31st year in Downtown Macomb Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. This Victorian style Christmas experience will feature horse-drawn trolley rides, live reindeer, visits with Santa, living window displays, singing carolers, the Children’s Shopping Mall, and more! The holiday magic will begin Friday evening at 6:17pm with Santa’s arrival to Macomb aboard the Santa Zephyr Express.
“For more than three decades, Dickens on the Square has captured the heart of the Macomb community,” said Marketing and Downtown Development Director Savannah Ballard. “We’re proud to continue this time-honored celebration and invite everyone to experience the joy of the season in our historic downtown.”

Arts in Nature Painting Class
2025-12-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Argyle Lake State Park, 640 Argyle Park Rd. , Colchester, IL, 62326, United States
The Friends of Argyle Lake State Park will be hosting ‘Arts in Nature’ painting classes at Argyle Lake State Park at the park’s visitor center shelter. December class will be held at the maintenance building. West Prairie high school Art instructor, Jennifer Cordell will share her passion for painting while instructing participants in creating a nature painting. The program fee is $20, as all materials and supplies will be provided. Locally handcrafted Amish frames will be available for $15 if you’d like to frame your one-of-a-kind masterpiece afterwards. Please email Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov or call the park office at (309)776-3422, registration is limited to the first 20 people. All ages welcome with parental help.

Stitchin' Time
2025-12-06 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-01-03 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-02-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Macomb Public Library, 235 S Lafayette St , Macomb
Macomb Public Library presents Stichin’ Time. Meets the first Saturday of each month from 10:30AM-Noon. Beginners through experts; limited supplies available or bring your own.

Winter Woodland Wonders Nature Hike
2025-12-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Argyle Lake State Park, 640 Argyle Park Rd. , Colchester, IL, 62326, United States
Join the site naturalist as we explore the trails of the park in search of the many wonders of winter just waiting to be discovered. Hike topics may include how animals survive in winter, identifying
tracks and other wildlife signs, winter tree ID and the mysteries of snow and snowflakes. Hike will
begin at 1:30 p.m. at the park visitor center. For more information, please call (309)776-3422 or email
Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov

Conservation Book Club
2025-12-08 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wine Sellers
Join PLC’s Conservation Book Club as we read Winter World: the ingenuity of animal survival by Bernd Heinrich. Learn with us how animals adapt to survive the unique challenges of winter as we enter this season ourselves this fall!
The book club meets at The Wine Sellers in Macomb from 6-8pm on Monday nights.
​Please register at the link below for this three-part event. Can only attend one of the days? Then we’d still love to have you join us!
prairielandconservancy.org/events

Merry Making for the Holidays
2025-12-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Macomb Park District Ceramic Studio, 1406 N Randolph St., Macomb
Love sharing handmade gifts at the holidays? We do, too! In this course, well create some of our favorite simple and sweet studio holiday projects that are perfect for gifting!

Bats: Why we need to conserve them and how you can help!
2025-12-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Prairie Land Conservancy
Join our special guest Dr. Joy O’Keefe for a virtual presentation on bats! Dr. Joy O’Keefes’ research primarily focuses on ways to facilitate the coexistence of bats and humans in human-altered landscapes. In this presentation, she will introduce you to bats of Illinois, their ecology and ecosystem services, and tips for aiding in bat conservation!
​
Register below to receive the Zoom link for the presentation:
prairielandconservancy.org/events

Noticing Nature: A Curious Guide for Sprouts
2025-12-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States
The seasonal rhythm of the natural world is full of wonder and can be a constant companion that offers new surprises every day! Come out to Lakeview for this FREE nature-based learning program!

Art & Gift Market
2025-12-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. , Macomb, IL
The annual Art and Gift Market will be held at t a new location, the Western Illinois Museum 201 S Lafayette, Macomb on Friday, December 12 from 5:00 to 8:00pm and Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Christmas Around the Prairie
2025-12-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Colchester Lion’s Den, Colchester, IL
A Holiday Light Parade takes place at 5:45 around the prairie taking Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Lion’s Club.
Businesses will be open 6-8pm.

Art and Gift Market
2025-12-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. , Macomb, IL, 61455, United States

Nature Makers: Little Winter Wonderland Ornament
2025-12-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States
This month well use a variety of found materials to create a mini winter wonderland inside a glass terrarium ornament! Nature Makers Workshops are open to ages 16+at all skill levels!

Wine & Wax!
2025-12-18 17:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-15 17:30 - 20:00 | The Wine Sellers
Sippin’ Wine and spinning’ Vinyl

Every third Thursday means it’s Wine & Wax time at The Wine Sellers!
So grab your favorite vinyl and join us beginning at 5:30.
For the Record, we hope to see you there!

Winter Solstice Walk
2025-12-21 18:00 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States
Bundle up and join us in the prairie to enjoy the beauty of a new season and the return of the sun! We encourage you to bring your own handmade lantern illuminated with an LED light or borrow one of ours and enjoy a walk through the Lakeview Prairie!

Post 6 BIG Band
2025-12-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Park Place
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
POST 6 BIG BAND
Park Place 127 E Carroll St, Macomb, IL 61455
Bring your dancing shoes and/or just come to enjoy the tunes from the past with the Post 6 Big Band, directed by John Cooper.
We play from 7-9 p.m. the last Wednesday of every month August—April
Except November and a Special Christmas Edition presented on the 2nd Wednesday, December 10
Admission is free, but there will be a free-will donation to support the band.
Cold Drinks Available for Purchase

Post 6 BIG Band
2026-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Park Place
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
POST 6 BIG BAND
Park Place 127 E Carroll St, Macomb, IL 61455
Bring your dancing shoes and/or just come to enjoy the tunes from the past with the Post 6 Big Band, directed by John Cooper.
We play from 7-9 p.m. the last Wednesday of every month August—April
Admission is free, but there will be a free-will donation to support the band.
Cold Drinks Available for Purchase

Trivia Night - EVERY Tuesday Night
2026-02-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Sports Corner @ 124
Sports Corner Presents: TRIVIA NIGHT🧠🏆‼️
Looking for some mid-week excitement? We got you covered EVERY Tuesday from 6:30-8:30

Art Talk
2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:30 | The Wine Sellers
Join Prairie Land Conservancy and local artist Janice Rockwell for a presentation on her passion for nature art at The Wine Sellers! Learn about how the life long enrichment of living in a rural university community has provided encouragement for Rockwell’s growth as an artist.
There are 24 tickets available so make sure to purchase your spot below or call 309-833-4747. Ticket comes with access to the event, one free drink ticket, and appetizers!
prairielandconservancy.org/events

Wednesdays Wine Run/Walk - EVERY Wednesday
2026-02-04 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wine Sellers
Wednesdays Wine Run/Walk
Meet at The Wine Sellers at 6:00 pm and go for a group run.
You can run any distance at any pace – walkers are welcome too.
End your run/walk at TWS and enjoy a beverage with your running friends.
This is a weekly event – weather permitting.
Let’s get outside and run!
www.facebook.com/thewinesellersmacomb

Wednesdays Wine Run/Walk
2026-02-04 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wine Sellers

First Friday
2026-02-06 09:00 - 14:00 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States
During these open house hours we welcome you to explore our Center! Explore nature-based learning stations, invitations for imaginative play, favorite seasonal books, and creative enrichment activities.

Winter Farmers Market
2026-02-07 08:30 - 12:00 | American Legion Post 6, 221 E. Washington Street, Macomb, United States
The Macomb Farmers Market’s January indoor Winter Farmers Market will be held on Saturday, January 17th, from 8:30 am to Noon in the American Legion hall (located at E. Washington and S. Campbell, behind Macomb’s US Post Office).
You’ll find a variety of locally grown fresh produce; local honey, jams, & syrups; cookies, cakes, & other baked goods of many kinds; ready-to-eat foods, including various flavors of candy & popcorn; locally raised eggs & packaged meat; personal care products like soaps and lotions made from goats’ milk, hemp, & beeswax; and a wide variety of hand-crafted wooden, ceramic, woven, and painted items made by talented local artists & artisans. Many of our summer Macomb Farmers Market vendors will be present, along with a number of additional vendors.
Macomb’s remaining Winter Farmers Markets will be held on February 7, March 7, and March 28. The only way to become a Macomb Winter Market vendor is to complete and submit the online application form that is pinned to the top of the Macomb Farmers Market Facebook page, next to the Vendor Rules document. If your application is accepted by the Board of Directors, the vendor fee is $20 per Market or $100 for the season.

WIU 54th Annual Ag Mech Farm Expo
2026-02-07 09:00 - 17:00 | Western Hall
WIU 54th Annual Ag Mech Farm Expo

Western Hall 1051 West University Drive, Macomb, IL 61455
Saturday, February 07, 2026 – Sunday, February 08, 2026

09:00 AM

Register
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54th annual WIU Ag Mech Expo!
Join us February 7-8, 2026 in Western Hall
February 7th, 9am – 5pm
February 8th, 10am – 4pm
The Farm Expo, considered the largest student-run agricultural event in the country, will include displays of farm tractors and machinery, ag sales and service, ag management, emerging ag technology, livestock and crop supplies, conservation and ag structures. There will also be a variety of craft vendors upstairs in Western Hall, as well as free children’s activities, including a bouncy house, face painting, and glitter tattoos.
Related Web Site: WIU Ag Mech Club’s 54th Annual Farm Expo
Contact Information:
Daniel Atherton
Phone: 3095734664
Email: dl-atherton@wiu.edu

Day in Clay Workshop: Cozy Nesting Hearts
2026-02-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Macomb Park District Ceramic Studio, 1406 N Randolph St. , Macomb, IL, United States
Join us in the studio this month as we celebrate love with a cozy nesting hearts workshop! Learn how to transform a flat slab of clay into two little dishes covered with texture and complementing glaze colors!

WIU 54th Annual Ag Mech Farm Expo
2026-02-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Western Hall
Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia

WIU 54th Annual Ag Mech Farm Expo

Western Hall 1051 West University Drive, Macomb, IL 61455
Saturday, February 07, 2026 – Sunday, February 08, 2026

09:00 AM

Register
Already joined? Log in to manage

54th annual WIU Ag Mech Expo!
Join us February 7-8, 2026 in Western Hall
February 7th, 9am – 5pm
February 8th, 10am – 4pm
The Farm Expo, considered the largest student-run agricultural event in the country, will include displays of farm tractors and machinery, ag sales and service, ag management, emerging ag technology, livestock and crop supplies, conservation and ag structures. There will also be a variety of craft vendors upstairs in Western Hall, as well as free children’s activities, including a bouncy house, face painting, and glitter tattoos.
Related Web Site: WIU Ag Mech Club’s 54th Annual Farm Expo
Contact Information:
Daniel Atherton
Phone: 3095734664
Email: dl-atherton@wiu.edu

Winter Guided Tour
2026-02-09 10:30 - 23:30 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States
Join us for a relaxing and educational walking tour through the Macomb Park Districts Lakeview Nature Area! This outdoor tour will explore the history, biodiversity, and some of our favorite winter sights.

Conservation Book Club
2026-02-09 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wine Sellers
Join Prairie Land Conservancy’s Conservation Book Club as we read All Humans Outside: Stories of Belonging in Nature by Tommy Corey. Explore the stories of 101 folks with different experiences and backgrounds as we reflect on how people’s lives are forever changed by nature.
The book club meets at The Wine Sellers in Macomb from 6-8pm on Monday nights.
​Please register at the link below for this three-part event. Can only attend one of the days? Then we’d still love to have you join us!
prairielandconserancy.org/events
