Have a happy holiday at Christmas on the Square
Every year, the Christmas spirit comes to downtown Madisonville with this festival of everything we love about a small-town Christmas. Downtown (especially the courthouse) is decorated in twinkling lights and visitors can enjoy live musical performances, photo ops with Santa, hay rides, a petting zoo, a Christmas market with a variety of vendors, and so much more. If you get hungry for something beyond snacks, there will be food trucks. One of the highlights of Christmas on the Square is the Kiwanis Christmas Parade. The festival starts at 02 PM and ends at 08 PM.
Start the season bright at Lighting on the Square
Once the holiday season officially begins at Black Friday (no shame if you want to start earlier but we're just following the calendar's rules), you'll want to head to downtown Madisonville at 07 PM. Lighting on the Square begins with a countown to when everything is lit up with Christmas lights. This dramatic illumination is followed by a concert of Christmas music favorites. The event also includes vendors selling snacks, drinks, and holiday merch. Free seating is available via bleachers or you can bring your own lawn chair. VIP seating is also available with the purchase of a ticket. This purchase also includes an exclusive Christmas ornament.
Get something for everyone at The Shops of Monroe
Winter is a great time to do some shopping for both yourself and the people you love. The Shops of Monroe is a one-stop shop with something for everyone, all in a small space without feeling cramped. The shop features multiple local vendors with small booths offering a variety of goods ranging from handmade pottery to nostalgic memorabilia. One unique part of shopping here is that while there are multiple vendors, you don't buy each item seperately. Simply shop as you normally would by bringing what you find to the front desk and paying for your items in one purchase. This is a great place to do some browsing because you never know what they'll have for sale each week.
Dine with family at The Patio
On the surface, this may not feel very seasonal. You can get Italian food any day of the year. So why are we talking about it here? Winters in Monroe County can be dreary. Temperatures in the 40s-50s Fahrenheit with grey skys and chilly gusts of winds. Get out of that cold and step into the cozy warmth of The Patio for a delicious meal. They serve all your Italian favorites in generous portions. Order a dish of baked spaghetti and you will feel warm for the rest of the day. Don't dine alone; get your friends and family together for a holiday meal at this local favorite. A word of warning: their dishes can be heavy and you will want to take a nap as soon as you walk (or penguin waddle) out the door.
Get a hot cup of coffee at 10-80 Roasters
If you are in pursuit for a hot cup of coffee in Madisonville, you need to rush to 10-80 Roasters in downtown, but once you get there, it is time to relax. Founded by a husband and wife duo of retired first responders (thus the 10-80 name), this coffee shop is brand new to the city. They serve a variety of coffees sourced directly from farms all over the world, such as their decaf from Colombia and their ancient varitals from Ethiopia (the birthplace of coffee), and they roast the beans themselves. If you can't decide what you'd like, tell them the flavors you like and they'll whip up something just for you. This is not the kind of place where you grab and go. Take a rest and chat with the friendly staff.
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