Olde Tyme Christmas

09/03/2026

Festival of Trees is the first event that kicks off our Olde Tyme Christmas celebration! If you've never attended, we invite you to check out the sponsorship tables or individual tickets that will get you access to a great evening! If you want to provide a monetary donation or gift card/certificate, as this fundraiser specifically supports the Downtown Flower Pots, you can join in this capacity! Please share with family and friends so everyone can check it out!

Learn about Olde Tyme Christmas. Explore more details and find out how to get involved.

08/21/2026

🎄 HALFWAY FULL ALREADY! 🎄

Vendor registration for 2026 Olde Tyme Christmas - Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights is off to a great start, and half of our available vendor spaces have already been claimed! ❤️🤍💙

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time to apply! The Olde Tyme Christmas Vendor Fair will be held November 13–14 at the First United Methodist Church in Vandalia.

We’re looking for vendors offering handmade and handcrafted goods, unique gifts, specialty products, holiday treats, and more to help us create a great holiday shopping experience for our visitors.

👉 Apply today: https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2808/campaign/9914

The link will take you to our Olde Tyme Christmas Vendor Registration page, where you can register as a vendor and learn about other ways to get involved.

📅 November 13–14, 2026
📍 Downtown Vandalia, Illinois

Come be part of one of Vandalia’s favorite holiday traditions! 🎄

08/07/2026

🎄✨ Vendor Registration is NOW OPEN for Olde Tyme Christmas 2026! ✨🎄

We're excited to officially kick off vendor registration for Olde Tyme Christmas: Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights, happening November 13–14, 2026, in beautiful downtown Vandalia!

This year, we're introducing a new and improved registration process! Vendors can now register and pay completely online through our SeeMyLegacy Community platform, making the process easier, faster, and more convenient than ever.

The registration link will take you to the Olde Tyme Christmas Community Initiative page, your one-stop destination for learning about all the ways you can be part of this cherished community tradition. Whether you're interested in becoming a:

🎁 Vendor
⭐ Sponsor
🙋 Volunteer
..you'll find everything you need in one convenient place!

If you're a handcrafted artisan, specialty retailer, boutique, or cottage food vendor looking to connect with thousands of holiday shoppers, we'd love to have you join us.

✅ Easy online registration
✅ Secure online payment
✅ Convenient application process
✅ Multiple ways to get involved

Vendor spaces are limited, so don't wait to reserve yours!

👉 Visit the link below to explore the Olde Tyme Christmas Community Initiative page and register today:
https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2808/initiative/188

Together, let's make Olde Tyme Christmas: Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights the biggest, brightest, and most memorable celebration yet as we continue commemorating America's 250th through holiday traditions, community spirit, and hometown pride. ❤️🤍💙🎄

Learn about Olde Tyme Christmas. Explore more details and find out how to get involved.

03/13/2026

01/27/2026

🇺🇸 America Turns 250 — Let’s Celebrate Together in Vandalia! 🇺🇸

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th Birthday (the Semiquincentennial), and the City of Vandalia wants this to be a true community-wide celebration.

📋 Pictured below is our America 250 Event Submission & Support Form — this is how businesses, organizations, non-profits, schools, and community groups can share events they’re planning or ideas they’d like to explore.

Using the form, you can:
✔ Submit event details for promotion on City websites and pages
✔ Request planning, marketing, or logistical assistance
✔ Inquire about financial or in-kind support

📅 America 250 Planning Meetings
We meet the second Monday of each month
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Vandalia City Hall

These monthly meetings are a great opportunity to coordinate events, build partnerships, and get support as we plan celebrations throughout the year.

👉 Have an idea? Already planning something?
Complete the form pictured here and join us as we work together to celebrate 250 years of America — Vandalia style 🇺🇸❤️💙

01/02/2026

Check out the Olde Tyme Christmas Presents: A Festival of Lights 2026 OTC FOL Trivia Night Fundraiser information!

12/30/2025

🇺🇸 America Turns 250 in 2026 — and Vandalia Is Getting Ready! 🇺🇸

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th Birthday — the Semiquincentennial — and Vandalia is proud to be part of this historic milestone. From community traditions and local businesses to seasonal events and family-friendly experiences, this is a year we’re excited to celebrate together.

✨ The City of Vandalia is already planning to incorporate America’s Semiquincentennial into events throughout the year, and we want this to be a true community effort. ✨

We’re eager to collaborate with local businesses, non-profits, organizations, schools, and community groups to help promote and celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in creative and meaningful ways.

What kinds of America 250–themed events or activities would you like to attend — or be involved in — here in Vandalia?

🎶 Live music or special performances
🏛️ Historic programs or living history
🌱 Community events, markets, or family activities
🎄 Seasonal celebrations with patriotic touches
🎆 Festive gatherings and downtown experiences
📚 Educational opportunities for all ages

Share your ideas in the comments below 👇

Whether you’re a resident, business owner, educator, organization leader, or visitor, your input helps shape celebrations that honor our history and look ahead to the next 250 years.

Let’s celebrate the Semiquincentennial — together, in Vandalia 🇺🇸❤️💙

12/24/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Olde Tyme Christmas! ✨🎄

As we celebrate this joyful season, we want to wish our community, visitors, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and everyone who helped make Olde Tyme Christmas so special a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays! ❤️

Thank you for sharing the magic with us — from twinkling lights and festive traditions to laughter, memories, and hometown pride. We are so grateful for the joy you bring to Vandalia and for the spirit of Christmas that continues to shine all season long. 🌟

May your holidays be filled with warmth, peace, and happiness, and may the New Year bring health, hope, and many reasons to celebrate.

🎁✨ From all of us at Olde Tyme Christmas, warmest holiday wishes to you and yours! ✨🎁