JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville’s Downtown Country Christmas Festival has been canceled due to forecasted severe weather.
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The festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, was canceled among forecasts of snow and ice.
"In the end, we decided that we have about 250 volunteers, and it's just not worth risking anyone's life for an event, as much as we love this one," said chair Beth McGlasson.
Organizers noted that while the festival will not go on, Jerseyville’s light displays will still be lit on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. The Bright Nights Celebration is a drive-through display of lights in Dolan Park, available every night starting on Nov. 29 until Dec. 31, 2025. There will also be displays at Rotary Park, Jersey County Courthouse, City Center Park, Lions Club Park, and Jerseyville’s business district until Dec. 31.
This marks the second year that the festival has been impacted by weather. Last year, the festival went on but “on a smaller scale” because of snow, organizers shared. Safety concerns affected attendees and volunteers.
“The crowd was significantly smaller, and we ended up tearing down and packing up tents and games on a very slick parking lot, which endangered volunteers,” they said in a separate Facebook post. “We don’t want to disappoint anyone by canceling the festival, but safety is our utmost concern.”
As of this writing, the Youth Catholic Ministries of Jersey County is still planning to host a craft fair in the Holy Ghost gymnasium at 9 a.m. on Nov. 29. Stadium Theater will show a free showing of a Christmas movie at 11 a.m. Jerseyville’s business district will also be open for Small Business Saturday shopping.
You can visit the official Downtown Country Christmas Festival Facebook page for more information about Saturday events in Jerseyville.
"We're trying to promote everybody that's doing something out there," McGlasson said. "We're all in this together."
McGlasson added that while it was not possible to reschedule this year's festival, they plan to have "a contingency plan in place for next year" so the festival can go on no matter what.
As the community prepares for worsening weather conditions, organizers urge people to be careful. McGlasson expressed her excitement for next year's festival and emphasized the importance of safety.
“We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and please be safe Saturday,” festival organizers concluded.
For more information, visit the official festival Facebook page.
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