Good morning, Springfield.

Springfield will hold its Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 29th at the Old State Capitol Plaza.

The celebration will start at 4:30 p.m. with free hot cocoa, cookies, and caroling and feature a tree lighting countdown at 5 p.m. — an event open to all.

Dominican Sister Anita Cleary leaves today for a pilgrimage to El Salvador to support deported women and honor four U.S. churchwomen killed 45 years ago—she will join a smaller group in Honduras from Dec 6 to 10 to visit historic sites and engage in empowerment projects.

Junior firefighter Jordan Hampton is working his first Thanksgiving on duty by joining his team for brunch, training, and planning a dinner at 6:30 p.m. tonight—he said that working together helps ease the loss of missing family time.

Robin Roberts Stadium is seeking a naming rights partner for its field—funds will pay for renovations and upgrade the fan experience at the historic venue.

The ballpark will host more than 150 events in 2026, including baseball games and live events, officials said.

Players from the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions visited patients at OSF Children’s Hospital on November 27th to honor Kevin Brown’s memory — they aimed to bring comfort to young patients during their hospital stay.

Sangamon County Animal Control said they saw more cruelty cases in Springfield after rescuing 60 cats from one home where residents kept too many animals without proper care.

Officials reminded residents to keep pets indoors as winter nears — urging everyone to care for their animals — to prevent further incidents.

The Soderstrom Family Castle (a local historic landmark) will soon open its doors to holiday guided tours for visitors.

The tours (featuring festive décor) will let guests see seasonal decorations and learn about the castle's history.

St. John's College of Nursing in Springfield was named Education Insider’s Top Nursing College for 2025 after record enrollment and a jump in NCLEX pass rates from 78% to 95%, surpassing state and national averages.

The college, founded in 1886 by Hospital Sisters, revamped its nursing programs to better support working nurses—an effort that has boosted its local reputation.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday as snow will begin on Saturday with over 5 inches expected in western counties and travel becoming dangerous by noon—officials say drivers should take extra care—while light rain may mix in.

UIS Athletics is celebrating 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership by honoring Michael Fakuade for his record-setting blocks and rebounds during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.

His strong scoring and defense helped shape Prairie Stars athletics—making him a fitting first individual honoree for the celebration.

Illinois high school football state championship games are kicking off today at Hancock Stadium on the Illinois State University campus in Normal, with more games scheduled for Saturday; viewers can watch via the NFHS Network & local channels while digital tickets are available online.

Claire Eaton, a former UIS cross country and track & field athlete, is now a Project Manager at McKinstry and says her sports training taught her time management plus teamwork.

She balanced academics with early morning practices at UIS, and those skills support her role at a national construction and energy services firm.

Elmo and Friends Say Hello

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Bank of Springfield Center — Family-friendly event — Sing, dance, and play alongside Elmo and friends in a fun celebration on Sesame Street.

Frostbite Festival

9 a.m. — AMF Springfield Lanes — Check event page for registration costs — Participate in the 62nd annual Frostbite Festival with 2 mile and 10 mile races.

Holiday Cheer Paint Night with Ashley Blake

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Library - Pizza and Sports Bar — Free entry — Unleash your inner artist and get festive with a fun paint night experience.

Dual Piano Christmas

7 p.m. — Hoogland Center For The Arts — Ticketed event — Experience an evening of holiday favorites and comedic improvisation on dual pianos.

Town Snowman Paint Night With Ashley Blake

1-3 p.m. — Harvest Market — Supplies included — Unleash your creativity while painting a winter wonderland masterpiece inspired by Snowman Town.