Nightmare Haunted Attraction
2025-10-24 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-25 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-31 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 West Peru Street, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
From the depths of the Plague…
…the Nightmare has returned…
…the Pirates are restless…the clowns await your return…our lab has been compromised and zombies have run wild down our hallways…Raves, caves, and a call for the brave to experience a Nightmare that has re-imagined as an affordable attraction…high prices does not make one great…dedicated haunters do!
WELCOME TO THE
NIGHTMARE HAUNTED ATTRACTION!
This year’s event features: haunted barns, bonfire, and souvenirs. Be prepared for a full evening of fun and entertainment.
The old, creepy, barns at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton, IL are transformed into the stuff of nightmares. Wind through the dark on dirt floors of these old wooden buildings, which only adds to the atmosphere and come with bats. You never know what is around the next corner or appear in our maze of tunnels!
You don’t want to miss this year’s Haunted Attraction.

Princeton Farmer's Market
2025-10-25 08:30 - 13:00 | Soldiers & Sailors Park, 14 Park Avenue East, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Visiting a farmers market is a great way to get to know your local food system, support local businesses, and enjoy fresh, healthy food!
Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:00 pm | June-October @ Soldiers & Sailors Park – 14 Park Ave E

Bureau County History Center presents Dearly Departed
2025-10-25 13:00 | Bureau County Metro Center
BUY TICKETS HERE
Staff, visitors and volunteers in the Sash Stalter Matson Building (the former Matson Public Library) in Princeton have had some unexplained experiences: the sound of footsteps in empty rooms, hearing voices, items knocked off shelves, or finding lights on at odd hours.
Last year, we decided we wanted to learn more about what we were experiencing in our historic buildings, so we reached out to the Society for Anomalous Studies (SAS), a group of paranormal investigators based in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, to conduct a paranormal investigation. Their first investigation was in the Clark Norris Museum.
This year, we wanted to know who is “haunting the stacks” of the former library building. The group have obtained video and audio evidence of paranormal activity during their multiple investigations on all levels of the building. This will be an audio-visual presentation of their findings.
The SAS team observes and documents their investigations in an attempt to capture tangible evidence of the paranormal. They observe best practices, as well as established protocols, to ensure they run clean investigations that are documented via multiple audio and video devices. They use a large variety of equipment, follow a planned investigation, and upon obtaining possible evidence, peer review it to help ensure its validity.
For the last 10 years, SAS has worked almost exclusively with historical societies and historic properties to support them with fundraising events.
All proceeds from this event will go to support the Bureau County History Center to maintain not only the Sash Stalter Matson Building, but also the two other historic properties we maintain.
Recommended for ages 12 and older. For entertainment only, learn about the many people represented at the Bureau County History Center through artifacts and personal history.
Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite below. A service charge will be added by Eventbrite for any tickets purchased online.

Prairie Arts Center presents Holiday Card Design Competition!
2025-11-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Prairie Arts Center, 24 Park Ave E., Princeton, IL, 62356, United States
PRAIRIE ARTS CENTER GALLERY – Holiday Card Design Competition – Opening Reception Nov 7, 6-8p, Gallery Hours: Saturdays and Sundays Nov 8-23 1-3p

Pups and Cups
2025-11-15 09:00 | Zearing Park, 100 Zearing Park Drive ​, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Bring your furry friends and join the Bike & Pedestrian Commission members for a walk around Zearing Park and a doggy playdate, at the Barkley Dog Park. Free coffee and donut! Free sticker and tennis ball!
Don’t have a dog to bring? No worries! Bring yourself and enjoy a coffee and donut with others and their furry friends.

Model Train Fair & Farm Show
2025-11-15 09:00 - 14:00 | Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 West Peru Street, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
NEW & USED & ANTIQUE TRAINS AND TOYS
Space Available for Train Layouts
Vendors Wanted with all scales of trains – HO, N, O, G, Thomas, Lionel, Marx plus accessories; Farm Toys & Tractors, Die Cast, Trucks, Hot Wheels, Ertl, NASCAR & Racing Collectibles and other types of toys. For info call Kathy 815-866-3606.

Christmas Walk Weekend!
2025-11-21, 2025-11-22, 2025-11-23 | Main Street, Princeton, Illinois, United States
Shopping, Heartland Bank sponsored Carriage Rides, Hot Cocoa & Cookies provided by New Hope Church,

Extended Shopping Hours and Special Events:

Christkindlmarkt
November 22nd | Open Prairie Church | 9:30AM-2PM

Handmade for the Holidays
November 22nd 10AM-4PM & 23rd 12PM-4PM
Artisan Market at Prairie Arts Center Gallery

Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus
November 22nd & 23rd | Prouty Building | 11AM-2PM

Bureau County History Center Holiday Open House
November 22nd | Clark-Norris Museum | 12PM-5PM

Princeton Commemorative Christmas Mug Sale
presented by Midland States Bank
November 22nd & 23rd | Prouty Building | 11AM-2PM

Trolley Hours:
November 21 4-7PM
November 22 & 23 11AM-4PM

Handmade for the Holidays!
2025-11-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Prairie Arts Center, 24 Park Ave E., Princeton, IL, 62356, United States
Prairie Arts Council will host a Handmade for the Holidays Decor Sale!
Participants will have a chance to decorate their homes with handmade holiday creations donated by members of the community. All proceeds will be donated to the Prairie Arts Center.
Friday’s events will feature an opening reception, shopping and refreshments. Saturday’s schedule will give visitors a chance to purchase handmade decor.
For questions or more information, contact prairieartsprinceton@gmail.com.

Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Cookie Wonderland & Project Holiday Cheer
2025-11-22 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-23 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Princeton, Illinois, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Support Local, Shop Small in Princeton, IL this Small Business Saturday on November 29th!

Gingerbread Workshop at the Prouty Building from 11:00-2:00pm!

Make a difference by shopping small this season. Show your love for Princeton by investing in the growth and success of our community. Every purchase made locally contributes to the vitality and prosperity of our town.

Join us in embracing the spirit of our Historic Main Street, the backbone of Princeton, Illinois.

Bureau County History Center Holiday Open House
2025-11-22 12:00 - 17:00 | Bureau County History Center, 109 Park Avenue West, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States

Home for the Holidays Christmas Light Drive Thru
2025-11-28 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-29 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-30 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-05 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-06 17:00 - 21:00 | Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 West Peru Street, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Home for the Holidays Christmas Light Drive Thru

Friday-Sunday, November 28th-December 21st & December 22nd-25th | Bureau County Fairgrounds
Fridays & Saturdays 5-9PM, Sundays 5-8PM

Small Business Saturday
2025-11-29 | Princeton, Illinois, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Support Local, Shop Small in Princeton, IL this Small Business Saturday on November 29th!

Gingerbread Workshop at the Prouty Building from 11:00-1:00pm!

Make a difference by shopping small this season. Show your love for Princeton by investing in the growth and success of our community. Every purchase made locally contributes to the vitality and prosperity of our town.

Join us in embracing the spirit of our Historic Main Street, the backbone of Princeton, Illinois.

Giving Tuesday!
2025-12-02 | IL

Princeton's Night of Lights
2025-12-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Veterans Park
Christmas Tree Lighting 6PM

Lighted Parade to 6:30PM

Candy Cane Hunt at Soldiers and Sailors Park, 7PM

Add Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Live Reindeer – Prouty Building at 7:30PM

Lighted Christmas Parade!
2025-12-05 18:30 - 19:00 | Princeton, Illinois, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE – Princeton Lions Club – Dec 5 6:30p

Candy Cane Hunt
2025-12-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Soldiers & Sailors Park, 14 Park Avenue East, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
CANDY CANE HUNT at Soldiers and Sailors Park – Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce – Dec 5 7p

The Magic of Christmas
2025-12-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Prairie Arts Center, 24 Park Ave E., Princeton, IL, 62356, United States
Children’s Christmas Musical at Prairie Arts Center
December 5 and 6th at 7pm, December 7th at 2PM

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Live Reindeer!
2025-12-05 19:30 - 20:30 | Prouty Building, 435 S. Main St., Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Live Reindeer – Prouty Building at 7:30PM

Santa's Workshop!
2025-12-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 West Peru Street, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Please consider a donation to the Bureau County Food Pantry (non-perishable food items, paper products or monetary) as admission.

Bureau County Fairgrounds | 11AM-1PM

Holiday Concert
2025-12-06 15:00 - 17:00 | Princeton High School Auditorium
Bureau County Chorus & Princeton Community Band Holiday Concert-Princeton High School Auditorium
