Downtown Alton’s 32nd annual tree lighting tonight, kicking off holiday season

By Managing Editor | November 21, 2025 |

Tonight (Friday, Nov. 21) Alton Main Street hosts an event that organizers say is “sure to get the community into the holiday spirit.”

The 32nd annual Community Tree Lighting at Lincoln-Douglas Square will begin at 6 p.m. with the arrival of Santa Claus on the trolley.

Free festivities, including caroling, cookies and hot cocoa, will continue until 6:45 p.m. when Alton Mayor David Goins flips the lights on the tree, which is provided by the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club. Families are encouraged to bring their cameras to take pictures with Santa and other costumed holiday characters.

Songs will fill the air throughout the evening with caroling provided by area Girl Scout Troops and the Salvation Army’s “Let the Music Begin” singers.

Fr. Garron Daniels from the Episcopal Parish of Alton will bless the tree, and other speakers include Alton Main Street President Chris Miller, Rotary Club President Donna Bemis and Salvation Army Captain Cassy Grey, who will be kicking off the “Tree of Lights” campaign with 2025 Chairs Zeke and Joyce Jabusch.

Visitors can check out the Salvation Army’s Big Red Kettle, and the public is encouraged to help the less fortunate by bringing non-perishable food donations to benefit the food pantry at the Salvation Army. These items will be constructed into a giant “Castle of Cans” during the event.

Another way to do some good this evening is to join Imperial Manufacturing in their “IMG GIVES BACK” program by bringing donations of bedding for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The organization builds and delivers beds for kids in need and are in need of solid color comforters, standard size pillows, or bed in a bag sets.

Please bring donated items to the foot of the Lincoln and Douglas statues.

Between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., free trolley transportation will be available between Lincoln-Douglas Square and the corner of 3rd and Belle Streets where more parking options are available.

The community is encouraged to make a night of it and enjoy the fun activities in the district while patronizing the downtown merchants and restaurants for their holiday shopping and dining.

Alton Main Street would like to thank the following sponsors who have made this event possible: Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club, The City of Alton, Imperial Manufacturing, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, Chiro One Wellness Centers, BJC-Alton Memorial Hospital, Simmons Hanly Conroy, Picture This & More, The Salvation Army, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center, Metro Supply, Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab Inc., Riverbender.com, WBGZ Radio, The Telegraph, and AdVantage.

Find more information on the many ways that Alton Main Street is working to promote and advance the historic downtown district, as well as ways to get involved, at www.DowntownAlton.com.

Provided photo.