SMTD’s “Holly” the Holiday Bus Returns for 2024 Season

Springfield, IL – The Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) is announcing the holiday bus “Holly” appearance schedule for 2024.

“Holly is no question the most popular thing SMTD does in our community,” said SMTD’s Managing Director Steve Schoeffel, “and we’re looking forward to getting Holly out more this year than ever before.”

Getting a significant overhaul a year ago, Holly contains over eleven thousand lights, including programable LEDs. The improvements last year replaced lights and netting that were first used ten years prior when the first SMTD lighted bus appeared. More equipment inside needed to run the lights does not allow for passengers on the bus.

“We traditionally have Holly at the Holiday Lights Parade downtown, and at a number of locations during the DSI Holiday Walks,” added Schoeffel. “This year, we’ve already added fifty percent more scheduled appearances, and we’re looking forward to giving even more residents the opportunity to enjoy the tradition.” Holly’s first appearances of 2024 will begin this weekend.

Following is the current schedule:

11/29 The Gables 4:30pm
Chatham Park Lights 6:00pm
11/30 DSI Tree Lighting 3:30pm
ALPLM and Downtown 5:15pm
12/3 Lincoln Magnet @ SEHS 5:30pm
12/4 ALPLM and Downtown 4:45pm
12/5 Grant Middle School 5:00pm
Southeast HS TBD
12/6 Illinois Products Y-block 4:30pm
Lincoln Park Fun Shop 8:00pm
12/7 Jaycees Holiday Parade 5:30pm
12/11 ALPLM and Downtown 4:45pm
12/12 Springfield Chamber Event 4:30pm
Santa at Scheels TBD
12/13 Iles Park 5:00pm
Lindsay School 7:00pm
12/14 New Berlin Holiday Parade 5:30pm
12/17 Laketown School 4:00pm
12/18 ALPLM and Downtown 4:45pm
12/19 Enos School 4:00pm
12/20 Springfield Supportive Living 5:00pm
Springfield Jr. Blues pregame TBD
12/21 ALPLM and Downtown 4:45pm
Chatham Park Lights 6:00pm

As is the case every year, rain can cause cancellations.

“Our maintenance staff works really hard to get the bus ready every year, and I hope anyone who can stop by will thank them for their hard work to make this happen,” said Schoeffel.