Christmas Eve Services in Champaign (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 8, 2026 · Checked weekly

8 churches in the Champaign area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 8 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far.
  • Latest service posted: 5:30 PM at First Christian Church.
  • 6 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Champaign and Christmas train rides in Illinois.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Champaign

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
3:00 PMFirst Christian ChurchService
4:15 PMFirst Christian ChurchService
5:30 PMFirst Christian ChurchService

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Champaign

Showing all 8 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

First Christian Church

Southwest Champaign

  • 3:00 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 4:15 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 5:30 PMChristmas Eve Service

3601 S Staley Rd, Champaign, IL 61822

(free with email) Directions to First Christian Church (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for First Christian Church (opens in a new tab)

More Champaign area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Champaign

Churches whose tradition we have confirmed, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Champaign (2)

Catholic services across IllinoisCatholic services in other cities

Christian Church Christmas Eve services in Champaign (1)

Christian Church services in other cities

Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Champaign (1)

Episcopal services across IllinoisEpiscopal services in other cities

Lutheran Christmas Eve services in Champaign (1)

Lutheran services across IllinoisLutheran services in other cities

Methodist Christmas Eve services in Champaign (1)

Methodist services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Champaign (1)

Presbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Champaign.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Champaign.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Champaign before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

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More Christmas Eve services near Champaign

All Christmas Eve services in IllinoisAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Champaign

Family Christmas plans in and around Champaign, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Champaign

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Champaign area hold services from the afternoon into the evening.

How many churches in the Champaign area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 8 churches in the Champaign area with Christmas Eve services. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 3:00 PM at First Christian Church.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 5:30 PM at First Christian Church.

Which parts of the Champaign area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Campustown, Downtown, South Prospect, Southeast Champaign, Southwest Champaign and West Side. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Champaign?

The 8 churches on this page include 2 Catholic, 1 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1 Episcopal, 1 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and 1 United Methodist. Catholic: Holy Cross Catholic Church and St. Matthew Catholic Church. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): University Place Christian Church.

Which Champaign churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, Faith United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, Grace Lutheran Church, Holy Cross Catholic Church, St. Matthew Catholic Church and University Place Christian Church held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

Which Champaign churches had a family Christmas Eve service last year?

Faith United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Champaign and St. Matthew Catholic Church held a family or children's Christmas Eve service last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

When do churches in Champaign post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Champaign?

Yes. This page lists 2 Catholic churches in Champaign with Christmas Eve services, including Holy Cross Catholic Church (Downtown) and St. Matthew Catholic Church (Southeast Champaign). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Christian Church Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Yes. This page lists 1 Christian Church (Disciples) church in Champaign with Christmas Eve services, including University Place Christian Church (Campustown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there an Episcopal Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Yes. This page lists 1 Episcopal church in Champaign with Christmas Eve services, including Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Lutheran Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Yes. This page lists 1 Lutheran church in Champaign with Christmas Eve services, including Grace Lutheran Church (West Side). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Methodist Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Yes. This page lists 1 Methodist church in Champaign with Christmas Eve services, including Faith United Methodist Church (South Prospect). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Presbyterian Christmas Eve service in Champaign?

Yes. This page lists 1 Presbyterian church in Champaign with Christmas Eve services, including First Presbyterian Church of Champaign (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Champaign that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in Illinois?

Our page for Illinois lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Champaign?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Champaign lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
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