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

Plans for the 2024 Virden Country Christmas include the annual Lighted Christmas Parade. Click here for information and how to enter a float in the parade on Friday evening at 7 PM!

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Pitman Hall inside First Baptist Church, will host nearly two dozen of your favorite local Christmas vendors. Delicious soup and other food will be served at both vendor locations on both days of the event. Click here to reserve one of the remaining spaces.

A silent auction for 8 beautifully decorated wreaths and trees will take place in the “Christmas Hall” located at the Sacred Heart venue. The VACC also 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 given to the Virden Food Pantry. Click here to enter an exhibit.

There’s plenty for kids to do, hidden rocks at each venue location on both Friday and Saturday! You can re-hide them or keep them for your very own. There’s a Christmas Storytime just before the parade at 6:00 pm at the Sly Fox Bookstore and the Virden library will also be having a story time---starting at 6 PM---catch one reading, then go to the other!  A “hot chocolate bar” is available at Virden Hardware.

Outside on Friday, on the lawn of the Virden Library, there will be a live nativity scene with strolling carolers. Keep watching for times!

On Friday, December 6 from 5:00-9:00 PM, the Virden Community Center on the northwest corner of the square will be open. Inside, Virden Royalty for 2024, Miss Virden Ryhanna Merrifield, Jr. Miss Kadence Shipp, and Little Miss and Mister Virden Macy Mitchell and Luke Perrine invite children to stop by and make a Christmas craft with them—free of charge! Thanks to Maynerich Financial for sponsoring this event. The building will be a great location for seniors to view the parade in warmth, and there are also restrooms that can be used by the public located inside.

The 18th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade kicks off from the high school parking lot at 7 PM on Friday, and winds its way down and around the square. Santa and Mrs. Claus will disembark the fire engine at the end of the parade at the Virden Public Library. Stop by and visit with them inside the library where kids can get a treat bag, and a complimentary photo from Ketchum’s Kaptures photography.

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 Mrs. Claus, and with 2024 Miss Virden & Little Miss & Mr. Virden. They can take some time to explore the fire trucks too! The first 150 kids through the door will receive a Christmas stocking filled with goodies from SB Insurance and other local merchants!

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 green awning in front of Country Financial 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!