Things to Do in Springfield in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Springfield
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + December turns Springfield into a living snow globe. Downtown streets blaze with 50,000 white lights while roasted chestnuts perfume the air from vintage-style carts parked outside the Old State Capitol.
- + Hotel rates plummet 35-40% from summer peaks. Yet the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library keeps its doors open late for holiday exhibits that most tourists never see.
- + The Illinois State Museum runs its 'Winter Wonders' program with behind-the-scenes access to normally-closed collections, plus the sharp scent of pine from their 12-foot historical Christmas tree.
- + Local restaurants unveil December-only menus - cinnamon-laced Springfield-style chili steams at the 1920-era Cozy Dog Drive In, where the same neon sign has flickered since Route 66 days.
- − Morning fog rolls thick from the Sangamon River, often hanging around until 10 AM and turning early photography at Lincoln's Tomb into a frustrating exercise.
- − Some outdoor attractions like the Lincoln Home National Historic Site restrict access to exterior-only tours when temperatures drop below -1°C (30°F).
- − Evening winds across the prairie feel brutal despite mild readings - that 70% humidity transforms cold air into a damp chill that slices through most jackets.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December's crisp air makes the 3.2 km (2 mile) downtown circuit surprisingly pleasant - no summer humidity, fewer tourists clogging the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, and the bronze Lincoln statue at the courthouse throws dramatic shadows during the low winter sun. The stone courthouse steps stay dry most days, giving you time to study the Gettysburg Address plaques without dodging crowds.
The dry December air preserves that distinctive old-car smell of leather and motor oil at these temperature-controlled museums. Without summer tour buses, you'll get uninterrupted time to examine the 1930s Packard that once belonged to Springfield's own Dana Thomas, plus the museum's Christmas display of vintage auto advertisements from December 1950s issues of the Illinois State Journal.
December's chill pushes locals indoors, creating ideal conditions for brewery tours where fermentation tank steam fogs windows overlooking downtown. The seasonal stouts and porters - unavailable any other month - pair with brewery-only food specials like beer-cheese soup served in sourdough bowls from the 1880s-era bakery next door.
The 48 km (30 mile) trail stays mostly clear through December, with frost-covered prairie grass creating silver landscapes good for photography. Morning rides start cold but warm up quickly - the trail's crushed limestone surface grips better than expected, and bare trees reveal historical farmsteads hidden during summer foliage.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
The first three December weekends transform downtown into a 19th-century Christmas card, with gas lamp-style lighting, costumed interpreters serving hot cider, and carolers performing on the Old State Capitol steps. Cinnamon and evergreen scents battle occasional coal smoke from period-appropriate heating demonstrations.
December's festival grants visitors rare access to the museum's basement archives, where curators display Lincoln's actual 1860 campaign items including the inkwell used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. The smell of old paper and leather bindings creates an atmosphere no other month matches.
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Springfield
Top-rated things to do in Springfield this December
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