Annual Alton Tree-Lighting Ceremony to Bring Community Together

Our Daily Show Interview! Community Tree Lighting Set for 11-21 at 6pm!

ALTON - The community is invited to Lincoln-Douglas Square for the 32nd annual Community Tree Lighting.

Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, with the arrival of Santa Claus. You can enjoy caroling, cookies, hot cocoa and speeches until 6:45 p.m., when Mayor David Goins turns on the lights on the tree. The free community event aims to bring people together, collect donations for The Salvation Army, and foster holiday spirit.

“There’s all kinds of fun and treats to be had down there,” said Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, which hosts the event.

McGibany thanked the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club for providing the tree every year. She shared that Alton Main Street will also provide a trolley between Lincoln-Douglas Square and the RiverBender.com building from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, so people have more parking options in downtown Alton.

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The Salvation Army will kick off their Red Kettle campaign at the tree-lighting ceremony. This donation campaign collects money to help families across the region afford toys, hygiene products, food and other necessities during the holiday season. The organization will also collect canned food donations during the event.

Several local groups will perform at the ceremony, including a Girl Scout troop who will sing Christmas carols and a few local dance groups. McGibany promises these performances are “so cute” and definitely worth watching.

The tree-lighting will be streamed here on RiverBender.com for those who cannot attend. McGibany encourages the community to come out if possible and enjoy the event.

As the holidays approach, she also urges people to shop local as much as they can. Alton Main Street will host their final First Friday event from 5–8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, which provides opportunities for people to shop in the downtown area. They also hope to see many people engage with local businesses during Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29.

“It’s more important than ever to support your locally-owned mom-and-pop shops,” McGibany said. “Amazon is not going to miss your order and neither is Walmart. Just do a little extra planning. Pick a day or two to wander around the district. You can definitely find something for everyone on your list downtown.”

For more information about the 32nd annual Community Tree Lighting, click here. To learn more about Alton Main Street, including their upcoming events, visit their official website at DowntownAlton.com.

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