Christmas Lights in Peterson Park - Newton, IL

12/29/2025

12/12/2025

Christmas on the Square (at St. Thomas Parish Center) 🎅

The shop will be open from 7-12 (normal hours) AND will reopen from 4-8. We will also be at the St. Thomas Parish Center from 2-5 pm

As a little Christmas gift, if you go through the park and see the lights, you will receive at $.50 off coupon at the end that will be valid through December 31st!

11/16/2025

It is time to start scheduling volunteers who wish to spread Christmas cheer at the end of the lights display.
Thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of the city departments, especially Matt Tarr and the electric department, the lights will be open DAILY from 5pm to 10pm this year from November 28rd through January 4th!
If you are interested in taking an evening, please send a message to this page or text your name and the date you would be interested in to 618-783-9405.

10/21/2025

The magic of the holiday season is returning to Newton as the annual Christmas Lights in Peterson Park display prepares to illuminate the community once again. Organizers have announced that displays may be set up in the park anytime after October 27th and up to November 17th in preparation for the much-loved holiday tradition.

01/02/2025

Due to the incoming inclement weather, tonight will be the last night the lights will be on.

Those who are storing their displays can pick them up anytime.

Thank you to all who helped this season! We truly appreciate your assistance and generosity!

While the lights are set up, maintained, and torn down by the City of Newton (and volunteers), the cost of items such as displays, lights, and equipment are covered through the donations received at the end of the lights and through community donations.

If you would like to donate towards the 2025 Christmas Lights in the Park with a display or monetarily, please contact our page and we can assist you!

12/26/2024

Comments will remain off. This page is ran by volunteers. We do not have the time to continue to monitor the comments and it’s time to move forward.

We would like to make the public aware of an incident which occurred on Christmas Night. This incident resulted in a few displays being inoperable and as a result they will not be lit. This situation is being handled by local law enforcement and we will not be releasing any additional details.

We apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your continued support.

11/29/2024

The lights are open!

Every single night this year from 5 pm to 10 pm into 2025!

We have several groups who have volunteered to run the donation booth, however, if no one is present please use the donation box available.

While the city has graciously taken over much of the manpower load for this project, there is still a desire for growth and future plans which we hope to achieve through the generous donations of those who enjoy the lights.

If you are interested in greeting people one night this season please send us a message!

10/27/2024

Please remember: Peterson Park is not closed. The roads may occasionally be blocked off when people are working on setting up the lights for Christmas.
There is parking by the basketball courts and the pool parking area is available.

Please be respectful and cautious of the lights, displays, and extension cords throughout the park.

10/22/2024

With the first setup weekend approaching it's almost time to start scheduling volunteers who wish to spread Christmas cheer at the end of the lights display.

Thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of the city departments, especially Matt Tarr and the electric department, the lights will be open DAILY from 5pm to 10pm this year from November 23rd through January 5th!

If you are interested in taking an evening, please message this page or text your name and the date you would be interested in to 618-783-9405.

Send a message to learn more

10/22/2024

The City of Newton is asking for volunteers to help with the setup of this year’s Lights In The Park event. Set up days will be Saturday, October 26, starting at 8:00 AM and Sunday, October 27, at 12:00 Noon. Rain date and finishing set up dates will be Saturday, November 2, at 8:00 AM and Sunday, November 3 at 12:00 Noon. Please designate a time to donate to this wonderful project in our community. Call City Hall at 618-783-8451 with your day and time to volunteer. Thank you all for your participation! We appreciate you!
If putting up your own display, set up will be anytime between October 26 - November 15. Please contact City Hall once your display is finished.

09/24/2024

The City of Newton is asking for volunteers to help with the setup of this year’s Lights In The Park event. Set up days will be Saturday, October 28, starting at 8:00 AM and Sunday, October 27, at 12:00 Noon. Rain date and finishing set up dates will be Saturday, November 2, at 8:00 AM and Sunday, November 3 at 12:00 Noon. Please designate a time to donate to this wonderful project in our community. Call City Hall at 618-783-8451 with your day and time to volunteer. Thank you all for your participation! We appreciate you!

Send a message to learn more