The VACC will be hosting the annual “Country Christmas” on Friday and Saturday, December 6th & 7th, 2024.

Plans for the 2023 Virden Country Christmas include the 17th annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday, December 1. This year’s theme is “Charlie Brown Christmas” and it kicks off from the High School parking lot at 7:30 PM. Click here to enter a float.

Prior to the parade, stop by Virden Hardware store for a hot chocolate bar…complete with all the trimmings! The Virden Public Library will remain open an additional two hours prior to the parade from 5-7 PM and will be handing out treat bags to all the kids. Don’t forget to visit their “Charlie Brown” photo opportunity. The Sly Fox Bookstore will begin their continuous “Christmas Story Time” readings beginning at 6:30 PM inside the store on the square until the parade kicks off at 7:30 PM.

Santa will be dropped off at the end of the parade at First Baptist Church, just off the square at 157 W. Jackson (across from the library). While parents browse the vendors located inside Pitman Hall, the kids will have a chance to visit with and tell Santa their wishes. Studio EM will be there too, offering opportunities for Christmas pictures with Santa.

Kids can search for hidden rocks at each venue location, and on the square both Friday and Saturday! Re-hide them to keep the fun going, or keep them for your own collection.

New in 2023 - The “Christmas Hall” will be moved to the KC Hall located at 1320 N. Dye. Instead of the usual wreaths and centerpieces for bidding, there will be a booth where you can buy raffle tickets to win a beautifully decorated wreath or centerpiece. The KC Hall will be filled with lots of additional vendors. And the ladies of Sacred Heart Church will be hosting their Saturday morning “Cookie Walk” at that location.

The VACC invites local churches and service organizations to create a “CANstruction Tree” which is a Christmas tree made from canned goods. The food collected from the trees will be delivered to the Virden Food Pantry. Click Here to register your creation.

Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday morning from 9–11 AM at the Virden Fire House. Pancakes and sausage will be served for a donation. Kids can visit with Santa, and with Miss Virden & Little Miss & Mr. Virden, or explore the fire truck! The first 150 kids through the door will receive a Christmas stocking filled with goodies from SB Insurance and other local participating businesses! Virden Hardware store will have Christmas Cookie decorating inside the store from 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturday.

Keep checking this page as other details unfold. If you would like to help with “Country Christmas” please use the “CONTACT US” section on the Home Page and send a message to the Chamber’s Treasurer, Debbie Kershaw.

As details for the 2024 event are finalized they will be posted here

Santa’s mailbox is located under the big red awning in front of State Farm Insurance on the north side of the square. Kids, be sure to include your address in your letter or on the envelope so that Santa can reply to your letter as quickly as he can!