Petersburg, IL – Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site will expand its beloved candlelight walk to three weekends in October 2025 and is actively seeking volunteers to help manage the event.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), this year’s candlelight walks will be held Oct. 3–5, Oct. 10–12, and Oct. 17–19. Each night, the event will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The extension aims to reduce crowding and allow more visitors to enjoy the immersive historical experience.
The walk features the historic village lit entirely by candle lanterns, with interpreters in period clothing stationed throughout log homes and shops. These volunteers offer insights into daily life in 19th-century Illinois. Visitors will also be able to tour candle-lit building interiors and are asked to keep flashlights off to maintain the setting’s authenticity.
With additional dates added, the IDNR is calling on community members to volunteer. Interested individuals can email dnr.newsalem@illinois.gov. All volunteers will be trained and onboarded by site staff before the event begins.
Lincoln’s New Salem is one of 56 state historic sites managed by the IDNR and remains a key attraction during Illinois’s fall festival season.
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