Join us on Friday, December 4, 2026 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Wander. Wonder. Bring on the Whimsy!
Sights & Sounds returns Friday, December 4, from 5–8 PM as Downtown Sterling comes alive with lights, laughter and holiday fun!
This year’s celebration includes the return of the Lighted Holiday Parade, stepping off at 5:30 PM and traveling down 4th Street to Library Plaza. Follow Santa to the tree for the official Tree Lighting at approximately 6 PM, then keep the fun going with Santa’s Workshop activities, visits with Santa, the downtown trolley, late-night shopping and dining, Wander & Wonder BINGO, and festivities throughout downtown.
We’re adding an extra dose of wonder and whimsy this year, with downtown businesses getting into the spirit with colorful storefronts, special activities and plenty of reasons to wander and explore.
Planning is still underway, so check back as participating businesses, activities, parade details and more are announced.
Come wander. Come wonder. And help us make Downtown Sterling’s heart grow a few sizes this holiday season!
Timeline & Activities
Watch for Santa’s arrival down Locust Street and the official lighting of the Library Plaza Christmas Tree at 6:00 PM at Locust and 4th Streets, across from the Sterling Theater.
Holiday music, provided by 3D Sound, along with other live performances, fills the air throughout the evening.
Step into a life-sized game of Candyland. Explore downtown businesses and activities to get your game board stamped along the way. Turn in your completed game board for a chance to win a prize package worth more than $500! Stroll the shops, enjoy seasonal cheer, and let the magic of the season guide you through this whimsical holiday adventure.
**NEW** this year, enjoy FREE Trolley rides with Hop On / Hop Off Service to be able to enjoy shopping & activities throughout the downtown! With stops at Santa’s Workshop, Dale Park, the 100 block of East 3rd Street (near Sloppy Gene’s), and the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza. 
Downtown Events & Activities (See also Google map below)
3 Twelve – 312 Locust St
• Treats & drink specials
Air Play Espresso & Bakery – 115 E 3rd St
• Holiday drink specials, free cookies for kids, disc golf discs, coffee and tea accessories are on sale.
Bella Vita Hair Design – 202 E 3rd St
• Holiday Open House, Dessert bar; 20% off all salon products and giveaways
Big Red Church – 311 2nd Ave
• Chili Supper 5-8PM, Bake Sale
Brink’s – 214 Locust St
• Holiday Cocktail Special – Salted Caramel Latte
Champs on Light Street – 11 E 3rd St
City of Sterling @ Sterling Theater – 402 Locust St
• Complimentary Hot Cider before the Tree Lighting
City of Sterling Employees | Toys for Tots – 7 E 3rd St (former Primitive Frills location)
• Photo booth, craft station and Toys for Tots info
Coco’s Prom – 314 Light St
• Serving Hot “CoCo”, fun photo op and receive a coupon for 10% off to use in December
Color Me Happy – 323 1st Ave
• $20 Build-a-Pet Special & BOGO 1/2 off outfits; Kids games & Prizes
Crafted Roots – 117 E 3rd St
• Craft Beer tasting
Edward Jones | Nick Lareau – 415 Locust St
•Open house with refreshments
Elevate Studio – 325 1st Ave
• Offering 25% off Studio packages and naughty and nice products. Also serving treats, performing every hour on the hour with a cute Christmas routine.
El Jacalito – 14 E 3rd St
• $5 Sangria & Margaritas & $13 Birria Taco Dinner
First Presbyterian Church – 410 2nd Ave
• Popcorn, Hot Drinks
Grummert’s Hardware – 424 Locust St
• Open Late – Refreshments
H & B House of Hair – 311 1st Ave
• 10% Off Hair Cuts; $5 hair tinsel
Kelly’s – 218 Locust St
• Specialty Menu Items
Lisa’s Brick House – 216 Locust St
• Special Holiday Cocktail; and live music by Bobbi White from 8:30-11:30 PM
Lucky Lucy’s – 3 E 3rd St
• $1 Apple Pie Shots
Midland States Bank – 2 E 3rd St
• Write your letters to Santa!
NICIL – 412 Locust St
• Open House (Will have front & back doors open as pathway) Information on their services’
Rock Star Donuts– 121 E 3rd St
• $1 Cookies, $1 off gourmet Hot Chocolates; Special Christmas Donuts!
Salvation Army Canteen @Santa’s Workshop
• Serving Hot Coffee & Cocoa
Sanborn Building (Sterling Main Street, McCue Tax & Accounting) – 15 E 3rd St
• Open House – Cider & Cookies, Enter to win basket of goodies compliments of McCue Tax & Accounting
Savy’s Chic Bridal Boutique – 313 First Ave
• Festive holiday windows with live models
Shoppes at Grandon Plaza – 310 2nd Ave
• A Gingerbread village awaits! Great shopping specials, a life-sized snow globe for holiday photos and hot cocoa station courtesy of the Velvaere Wellness Collective.
- Amber + Smoke
- College Street Creations
- Leigh Alan Designs
- The Midwest Mercantile
- Paper & Hide Co
- Pirate Mom Soapworks
Showplace Antiques – 307 1st Ave
• Snacks, cider, lots of specials & sales*
(*will vary by booth)
Solstice Salon & Scalp Spa – 17 E 3rd St
• Refreshments, register to win holiday gift
Sterling Theater – 402 Locust St
• $1 small bags & $5 large bags of popcorn w/random FREE passes in some!!
The Factory Pub-n-Grub – 103 W 3rd St
• NEW Winter Drink Menu
The Kitchen Incubator – 2 E 3rd St
• Showcasing the tasty treats of their Kitchen users: Coaches Cookies, Diosa Mexican Cuisine, House in the Country, El Padre Loco, Toast & Plate Catering and Sweet Butts Cotton Candy
The Precinct – 113 E 3rd St
• Holiday Drink Specials
The Rusty Fox – 1 E 3rd St
• Serving up hot German Gluhwein for adults, hot apple cider for kids and German Stollen (Christmas bread). 10% off carry out.
Live Music with Kathy & Dre 8 to 10pm.
The Spark – 314 1st Ave
• Serving Free Hot Cocoa, Elf Photo Prop, Adult Beverage specials, Spark merchandise, & see the progress on construction.
Santa’s Workshop is full of FREE children’s activities, and will take place in the municipal parking lot located on the NW corner of 1st Avenue & 4th Street, behind the Sterling Theater, Mead’s Bike Shop & Grummert’s Hardware.
If your Organization would like to provide a FREE game or activity for kids as part of Santa’s Workshop, please complete THIS FORM by November 4.
Visits with Santa will also take place here and begin as soon as Mr. Claus has finished helping us light the Christmas Tree! Just look for the Santa’s home for the evening, courtesy of Jeff Bright RV.
Your digital guide to all the festivities! Details continue to be added as more information becomes available.
OTHER HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Thursday, December 3 @ 7 PM – Community Concert
The Big Red Church is host to this holiday tradition. Join them for a FREE evening of holiday music provided by local talent, and great fellowship.
Saturday, December 12 – 12 Bars of Christmas
This annual pub crawl features stops in both Sterling and Rock Falls. Proceeds benefit April House. Contact The Cooler for more information or watch for sign up details at participating establishments.
Other Holiday Happenings
Community Concert - Thursday, December 4 @ 7 PM
The Big Red Church is host to this holiday tradition. Join them for this FREE evening of music provide by local talent, great fellowship and a great array of treats.
Ugly Sweater Party - Thursday, December 11
Hosted by the Sterling Theater
Featuring “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. Ugly Sweater Contest, Door Prizes & Drink Specials!
12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl - Saturday, December 13
Early December with various stops in Sterling and Rock Falls. Proceeds benefit April House.
Thank you to our 2026 Sights & Sound Sponsors!
Additional Sponsorships are still available. Please CONTACT US to learn more on how you can help support this festive holiday happening!
- McCue Tax & Accounting
- Showplace Antiques & Treasures