Published on November 19, 2025 6:33 pm
Last Updated on November 19, 2025 6:45 pm
Visit Effingham now presents another year of Wonderland in Lights at Community Park. Each year, Community Park is transformed into a drive-thru holiday light spectacle, filled with whimsical scenes, including a reindeer flight school, playful penguins, Santa and his reindeer taking flight, a Nativity scene, a Gingerbread house, a bucket truck driven by helpful elves, and more.
Drivers going through the display can temporarily tune in to 90.7 FM for continuous Christmas music, compliments of Visit Effingham, 97.9 XFM and KJ Country 102.3.
Wonderland in Lights officially opens Thanksgiving night, November 27th but the switch has been flipped early this year. Continuing now through the official season, the drive-thru light display is open to the public for anyone who just can’t wait to kick off their holiday festivities. The display runs through the New Year. Hours are from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Community Park is located on East Temple Avenue in Effingham.
Santa will be at his post every Saturday, from Thanksgiving through December 20th, to greet cars and hand out toys.
There is no cost to enjoy this Visit Effingham experience, but donations are always appreciated, as they help for next year.
Holiday cheer can also be extended at ‘Light up the Lawn’ – where the larger-than-life, 3-D holiday light displays glimmer and shimmer in Downtown Effingham. Hopefully these dazzling displays can be switched on next week. Drivers going by the Effingham County Courthouse Museum lawn can see the ‘Royal Present,’ the ‘Heart of Christmas’ walk-thru ornament, ‘Santa’s Sleigh and His Reindeer,’ the walk-thru ‘Gingerbread House,’ the ‘Teddy Bear,’ the walk-thru ‘Hot Cocoa Mug,’ ‘Santa and his favorite reindeer,’ and, the star of the show, the 34-foot ‘Christmas Tree.’ The public can also walk around to see the lights up close and pose with the ‘Reindeer Family’ and ‘Polar Bear Family,’.
For more information, or to view their Calendar of Events, go to www.visiteffinghamil.com.
If you are interested in helping Visit Effingham spread holiday cheer, call 217-342-5310.
