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El Dorado Tree Lighting & Old Fashioned Christmas Parade

Get in the Christmas spirit with El Dorado’s Old Fashioned Christmas parade, tree lighting and festivities!

Celebrate the holidays the old-fashioned way on Saturday, December 4, 2025, in El Dorado, KS. There will be a full slate of Christmas activities, including a vendor fair, Christmas tree lighting, parade, a chance to visit with Santa, activities at the Kansas Oil Museum, and more.

Admission is free to most events! That will leave you with some spending money to purchase food or gifts throughout the day from vendors.

Related: Day-by-day listing of Christmas events near Wichita

El Dorado Old Fashioned Christmas Activities

(In Downtown El Dorado)

The celebration takes place from December 4 to December 7, 2025. Enjoy festive lights, holiday cheer, and community traditions.

Earlier on Friday, from 5:15 to 6 p.m. the El Dorado YMCA will light a special remembrance tree. You can bring an ornament commemorating a loved one to put on the tree.

Finally, on Saturday, December (2025 date coming soon, a whole list of events will be happening in El Dorado Downtown area.

Do your holiday shopping at a big ol’ local vendor fair held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Butler County Community Building, 206 N. Griffith St.

Register the kids (kindergarten through 8th grade) in advance and then bring them on Saturday to the Coutts Museum between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to compete in the Art Gingerbread House Competition. Trophies will go to the top 3 houses. The awards ceremony will be at 3 p.m.

From 1-3 p.m, visit with Santa in the Foster Schoolhouse Living History in Boom Town at the Kansas Oil Musuem! You can also pick up a free activity packet from the North Pole.

From 3-4:45 p.m., Santa will be at Charley’s Appliance for photo ops and they’ll have fresh-baked cookies!

Watch the Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. The parade route starts at 4th and Main, and travels south on Main to 1st Ave, then west on 1st Ave to the Performing Arts Center.

After the parade, go to 1st Ave. and Main St. to watch the Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:15 p.m. There will be a Candy Cane Giveaway and more photos with Santa!

From 6-8 p.m., taste the results of the Kansas Oil Museum’s Community Chili Cookoff and cast your vote for fan favorite.

For more information, visit the El Dorado Main Street Facebook page or visit the El Dorado Main Street website.

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