Spend Your Holidays in Grafton

Deck the halls in Grafton this year with a month of holiday fun on the Great River Road!

Santa Claus is coming to town, and the city is hosting a variety of jolly events that will jump-start your holiday spirit! Come to Grafton in December to discover the magic of the yuletide season!

Grafton Holiday Treat Trail

Festive treats, holiday sales, and a visit from the big man himself? Participating downtown Grafton businesses will offer unique, homemade, or gourmet holiday treats and beverages. Each shopper will receive a free ticket, a punch card, and a tote bag. Stroll around the shops and get your card punched at over 18 different participating businesses, collecting treats along the way. Once your card is full, drop it in a collection box for the chance to win an epic Grafton Prize Package.

Date: December 6, 2025
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: Downtown Grafton

Learn More

Grafton Winter Lights Parade

After the Chocolate Express, gather the family to see the Grafton Christmas Parade of Lights! The parade features local businesses and residents, decorated vehicles, and lots of Christmas cheer. It marches down Water Street starting at the Hawg Pit! Take a drive down the Great River Road, do some late Christmas shopping, and enjoy the light show!

Date: December 6, 2025
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Downtown Grafton

Learn More

Santa and Mrs. Claus smiling for a photo

Christmas Dinner with Elvis

It would be a “Blue Christmas” if you skipped this festive Christmas dinner and a show! The talented Sean Michael will perform his salute to the King of Rock and Roll in this Christmas special. Dinner is included with your ticket, and you will enjoy Pere Marquette Lodge's famous fried chicken buffet! After dinner, sit back and enjoy an hour-long tribute to the King within the beautiful ballroom.

Date: December 12, 2025
Time: 6:30-9pm
Location: Pere Marquette Lodge | 13653 Lodge Blvd

Learn More

SantaCon Pub Crawl

Ever wondered what a room full of Santas would look like? Experience it for yourself as Grafton’s Santa Con brings a crowd of Santas to the city! Shine up your black boots and don your fluffy-edged red hats as a multitude of cheery St. Nick’s descend upon area businesses!

Date: December 13, 2025
Time: 3-11pm
Location: Corner of Market and Main Street

Learn More

Breakfast with Santa

Pere Marquette Lodge's Breakfast with Santa is fun for the whole family! Meet, greet, and eat alongside Jolly Old St. Nick at this buffet-style meal. Don’t forget your Christmas lists and letters! Bring them along to hand-deliver to Santa. In true holiday spirit, if you would like to bring along a canned good or boxed item, the Lodge will donate all collected goods to the Jerseyville, Illinois Food Pantry.

Seating is limited. Reserve a spot here.

Date: December 14, 2025
Time: 9:30-10:30am
Location: Pere Marquette Lodge | 13653 Lodge Blvd

Learn More

New Year's Eve Party

Ring in the New Year at Pere Marquette Lodge with the overnight party package. This package allows you to show off your cocktail attire and indulge with appetizers, an open bar, and a lavish buffet dinner for two! There will be a great band, a midnight champagne toast, and lots of party favors. Retreat to cozy accommodations and wake up to a complimentary breakfast on New Year's Day.

Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Pere Marquette Lodge | 13653 Lodge Blvd

Learn More

Participants at Santa Con dressed up like Santa Claus and the Grinch
Capture the Holiday Spirit at Bethalto Christmas Village Learn More
Holiday of Wonder with WonderLights Christmas Learn More
7 Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s Day Learn More
Light Up the Holidays in Jerseyville Learn More
Your Guide to Unique Holiday Gifts in Great Rivers & Routes Learn More

About the Author

Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois

Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois

Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau is the state-certified regional Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMO)-501C6, which represents Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Calhoun, and Greene counties, and the City of East St. Louis in St. Clair County in southwest Illinois. Founded in 1985 as the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, the bureau transitioned to Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau in 2018 as the size and scope of the organization grew.