CHAMPAIGN – If seeing Santa Claus and brightly lighted parade floats is your idea for getting in the holiday mood, downtown Champaign is the place to be this evening.

The ninth annual Parade of Lights begins at 6 p.m., and several downtown streets will be closed this afternoon and evening.

David Genty, special events coordinator for the Champaign Park District, said Neil Street between Hill and University, Church Street east of Elm and the portion of Main Street west of Walnut will be closed starting at 2 p.m.

Fremont Street, Washington Street between Neil and Walnut, Hickory Street south of Columbia and the portion of Walnut between University and Main will close at 3 p.m.

Other surrounding downtown streets – including a portion of University Avenue, Elm Street, State Street and Park Avenue – will close at 5 p.m.

"We plan to have all the streets reopened by 10 p.m.," Genty said.

The fun doesn't end when the parade does. About 7:15 p.m., the Christmas tree in front of One Main, at the corner of Main and Neil streets, will be lighted.

The Champaign-Urbana MTD will reroute several of its routes during the Parade of Lights. Consult the MTD Web site at www.cumtd.com or call 384-8188 for details.

If you plan on attending, be sure to dress for the weather: While there is no rain or snow in the forecast, temperatures in the 20s are expected during the evening.