Festival of Lights Leaving Quincy Parks, Rebranding as FairGlow at Adams County Fairgrounds
QUINCY, Ill. After seven Christmas seasons at Wavering and Moorman parks in Quincy, the team behind the Festival of Lights has confirmed the holiday display will not return to the Quincy parks this year.
Instead, organizers are taking the Christmas tradition to the Adams County Fairgrounds in Mendon under a new name, FairGlow.
The new holiday experience is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 27, and continue through Dec. 31, 2026. FairGlow will feature a drive-through display of colorful lights and Christmas scenes, open Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m.
While the familiar drive-through experience will continue, the move to the fairgrounds will also allow organizers to introduce several new attractions.
One of the biggest additions will be Glow Walk, a special walk-through evening scheduled for Monday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. Visitors will be able to leave their vehicles behind and stroll through the displays, take photographs and experience the lights at their own pace.
The final arrival for Glow Walk will be at 8 p.m. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.
FairGlow will also offer private horse-drawn carriage rides on select evenings. Families and groups will be able to reserve a carriage and select an available date and departure time. Advance reservations are required, and carriage bookings will include admission to the FairGlow light display.
“The heart of what we do has always been giving families a place to enjoy Christmas together,” organizer Eric Dooley said. “The fairgrounds gives us an opportunity to continue that work and to try things we’ve wanted to offer for years. We’re especially excited for families to experience the lights on foot during Glow Walk.”
Organizers said the relocation also helps preserve year-round recreational access at Wavering and Moorman parks while allowing the Festival of Lights team to continue building on the Christmas tradition it established during seven seasons in Quincy.
The team expressed gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, community partners and visitors who helped make the Festival of Lights possible at the Quincy parks.
Those partnerships will continue into FairGlow, with organizers working with existing sponsors on opportunities to feature their displays and recognize their support at the new location. Additional businesses and community organizations are also being invited to participate.
Regular drive-through admission will be $15 for a standard vehicle carrying up to eight passengers. Advance reservations are not required for regular drive-through visits, and admission can be paid at the ticket booth.
Glow Walk tickets and private carriage rides require advance reservations.
Additional information, including larger vehicle rates, tickets, carriage reservations and event updates, is available at FairGlow.Christmas.
For families who have made the Festival of Lights part of their Christmas tradition, 2026 will bring a change of scenery.
The lights will no longer shine from the Quincy parks, but organizers are hoping FairGlow will begin a new chapter at the Adams County Fairgrounds, complete with familiar holiday displays and new ways for families to experience them together.
