November 20, 2023
Zack Sullivan, Executive Director Geneseo Chamber of Commerce 309-944-2686
GENESEO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES THE 2023 GENESEO CHRISTMAS WALK: GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY
The 2023 Geneseo Christmas Walk will take place Saturday December 9th from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in Geneseo, IL. This year’s theme is “Gingerbread House Party.” The 2023 Geneseo Christmas Walk promises to be the biggest Christmas party in Geneseo this holiday season!
The 38th annual Geneseo Christmas Walk is hosted by the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. Zack Sullivan, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber, commented about the 2023 event saying, “The Geneseo Christmas Walk hosts one of the best small town holiday celebrations in the Midwest. Many people travel from afar to attend this annual community event, the biggest event Geneseo hosts all year. The annual Christmas Walk themes change year to year, and the event is very versatile. Half of the fun of planning the Geneseo Christmas Walk is integrating a theme into the event. We thought it would be fun to do a “gingerbread” theme this year, as we have not done this theme yet and want to offer a fun, modern, and vibrant theme of celebration in 2023.”
Sullivan said, “The Geneseo Christmas Walk is a kaleidoscope of holiday offerings, including live music, holiday shopping, warm meals, ice sculptures, living windows, luminaries, trolley rides and so much more! This has always been one of my favorite events in Geneseo. People from throughout our region make the annual trip to Geneseo to celebrate Christmas time!”
The Geneseo Christmas Walk has something for everyone. The Geneseo Jingle Run 5K race kicks of the big day’s festivities at 8:30 am. The Lighted Christmas Parade is a popular regional attraction, which steps off in Downtown Geneseo at 5:00 pm sharp. The parade leads up to the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony at approx. 5:45 pm at the intersection of State and Second Streets. Meanwhile, the Central Bank Pavilion will host a Holly Jolly Christmas Party from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – featuring holiday themed dance music from a live DJ, a walk-through Christmas light display, and ice sculptures.
Another new attraction in 2023 will be the Gingerbread House Competition, hosted by the Geneseo Art League & Gallery, located at 125 N. State Street. Visitors to the 2023 Geneseo Christmas Walk are invited to visit the Geneseo Art League & Gallery to vote for their favorite Gingerbread House. The winner will be crowned Grand Champion, will win a $100 Geneseo Chamber Gift Certificate, and will earn bragging rights for life.
The Geneseo Christmas Walk started in 1986 as the Geneseo Victorian Walk, offering a unique way to celebrate Christmas in Geneseo while providing a boost to local small businesses during the holiday season. Since then, the event has become an all-time favorite for Geneseoans and visitors from the Quad Cities region alike – capturing the wonder and charm of experiencing Christmas in a Hallmark Christmas Movie- like small town setting.
The evening will be filled with Christmas magic in Geneseo and we invite you to join us both that evening and at any time in Geneseo, IL. While in Geneseo, visit our many fine restaurants and shops. Most events are free unless otherwise indicated, some meal and warming sites will accept free will donations.
For more information, call the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at 309-944-2686, or visit the Geneseo Chamber’s website at www.geneseo.org for a full schedule of events.