YES! Spring has finally sprung here in the Chicago Southland! We don’t know about you, but we are pretty antsy to get out and enjoy the weather every chance we get. What better way to do this than by enjoying one of the 10 nature centers the region has to offer? From climbing the high ropes course at Irons Oaks to taking a quiet stroll down the wooded paths at Sand Ridge Nature Center, we’ve got your spring-time activities covered!

Friday, December 6th

Holiday Lights Martin Avenue, Homewood, IL 708-798-3000 Visit downtown Homewood for the Holiday Lights festival. The evening filled with musical trolleys, holiday market, live reindeer, carolers, and a visit with Santa. Check out our previous post about Holiday Lights and the Holiday Pop-Up Shops. 6-9PM Tropical Blizzard Bash Homewood Suites & Elements Conference Center, 16245 South LaGrange Road, Orland Park, IL 708-364-9411 x505 Holiday party with themed action stations, butler passed hors d’ouerves and dessert table. Three hour open wine/beer bar with music and photo booth. Reservations required. 6-11PM MVCC Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center, Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL 708-974-5500 The Moraine Valley Jazz Ensemble performs a wide range of jazz styles, including classic swing, soulful blues, vocal jazz, and big band. 7:30PM

Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 8th   Holiday Market Oak Park Avenue Train Station, 17375 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 708-444-5678 Holiday celebration inside large heated tent featuring entertainment, tasty treats, gift vendors, kid’s crafts, carriage rides, children’s rides, ice carving, visit with Santa and more. F 6-9PM; Sa 12-6PM; Su 12-5PM Crete Country Christmas Downtown Crete – Main & Exchange Streets, Crete, IL 708-672-9216 Crete Country Christmas – 3 days of various activities in Downtown Crete. Lighted Parade Saturday and 6:30. F 5-10:30PM; Sa 8AM-10:30PM; Su TBD Holiday Happenings Throughout Thornton, IL 708-877-4456 Trolley rides. Pancake breakfast and chili supper. Sled dogs. Crafts for kids. Vendor and craft fair. Light parade with Santa. Lunch with Santa and magician. Schedule at Village Hall and website.

Saturday, December 7th Polar Express Metra Station 143rd Street & Southwest Highway, Orland Park, IL 708-403-6150 All aboard the Polar Express! Take a trip to the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Clause while listening to the Polar Express story. Register early. 11AM-3PM Holly Days Figure Skating Exhibition Ice Arena, 9320 South Kenton Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 708-857-5173 Come out for this FREE, festive holiday figure skating exhibition. Santa’s Pit Stop At Sportsplex Orland Park Sportsplex 11351 West 159th Street, Orland Park, IL 708-403-7275 The Big Guy will be making his annual stop at the Sportsplex. Bring your camera to capture a picture of your child’s visit with Santa. 9AM-12PM Christmas Light Parade Union-Grove Streets & Western Avenue, Blue Island, IL 708-388-5735 Street lights go off at 5:30pm sharp, then the parade starts with floats and everything lite up lasts about 1 hour. Several open houses at local merchants after the parade. 5:30-8PM Holiday Breakfast Tea & Cookie Exchange Blue Island Historical Society/Albee House, 13018 Maple Avenue, Blue Island, IL 708-371-8546 Our annual Holiday Breakfast Tea & Cookie Exchange is always a treat! Great for families and friends. Please bring two dozen cookies to share. Reservations required. 10AM-12PM Winter Gift Extravaganza Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Avenue, Olympia Fields, IL 708-481-2330 Admission FREE. Interested vendors may request an application from Irons Oaks before November 22. 2-5PM Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, One University Parkway, University Park, IL 708-235-2222 Salt Creek Ballet’s magical tale of young Clara and her holiday journey features talented dancers and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score – along with waltzing flowers, giant mice, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. A delightful holiday tradition for all ages! 1PM & 5PM Moraine Valley Chorale Merry Christmas Music Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center, Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL 708-974-5500 The Moraine Valley Chorale celebrates its 16th season performing holiday themed concert selections with a small chamber orchestra. The Chorale is a community-based choir with more than 60 members. 7:30PM Festival Of Lights Parade Downtown Beecher, Penfield Street, Beecher, IL 708-946-2261 Lighted parade compliments the holiday season with Santa and his sleigh bringing up the rear. Refreshments afterwards at Firemen’s Park. Line up at 5PM. 6:30PM

Saturday, December 7th through Sunday, December 8th

Christkindl Downtown Frankfort, ILDon’t miss this festive holiday celebration that honors Frankfort’s German heritage with a weekend visit from St. Nicholas and the annual children lantern’s parade on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. and blends it with newer downtown traditions like the 9th annual Cookie Walk. Full Schedule Here 815-469-2177 x243 12-4PM Step By Step Promotions – Arts & Craft Show Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL 708-444-1100

Sunday, December 8th   Holiday Open House Thornton Historical Society Museum, 114 North Hunter Street, Thornton, IL 708-877-6569 See the holiday decorations in the museum. Sample homemade cookies and treats. Enjoy entertainment and caroling with the St. Paul Singers. Take photos with Santa. 2-4PM Christmas Past Celebration Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland, IL 708-868-0606 Is the hustle and bustle of the approaching holidays getting you down? Visit our pioneer cabins as we celebrate this joyous time of year, in a much simpler way, with homemade toys, chestnuts roasting, and popcorn popping in the open fire. Everyone is invited to make a craft to take home. 11AM-3PM Stories With Style -Mrs. Claus Story Hour & Visit With Santa Central Park Building, 15601 South Central, Oak Forest, IL 708-687-7270 Enjoy a frosty afternoon with Christmas Classics by Mrs. Claus! Cookies and milk will be served and a visit with Santa Claus! Please register before December 2nd. 4-5:30PM Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair Central Park Building, 15601 South Central, Oak Forest, IL 708-687-7270 Come shop for holiday gifts, crafts, doll clothes, and decorations for family and self! There will be numerous crafters and vendors with cafe, bake sale, and raffle tickets! 9AM-2PM MVCC Concert Band – Christmas Music And More! Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center, Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL 708-974-5500 The Moraine Valley Concert Band is an instrumental ensemble comprised of 50+ students and community members. 3PM Brunch With Santa Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 708-688-8355 Head to Brookfield Zoo and be sure to bring your appetite for a delectable all-you-can-eat Holiday brunch buffet featuring an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and costumed characters, who will be available for photos. Seating is limited and reservations are required. 11AM & 1:30PM

This could easily be one of the busiest weekend in the Chicago Southland if you love unique festivals!

From Super Night at Balmoral Park to the Butterfly Festival at Lake Katherine, and Food & Wine Festival in Mokena, there is something happening every waking minute this weekend in the Chicago Southland!

 

You can always find more information about Chicago Southland Festivals & Events here!

 

Saturday, September 14, 2013 SUPER NIGHT Balmoral Park Race Track, 26435 South Dixie Highway, Crete, IL 708-679-1414 Balmoral Park’s biggest night of the year! Special 6:30 PM Post Time Great time to see the best in Illinois harness Racing. Free Admission and parking! Free drawings throughout the night. Check out their site for more details!     GREEN THUMB SATURDAYS Village Hall, 2020 Chestnut Road, Homewood, IL 708-206-3393 Putting Garden to Bed – Co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardner Program and The Village of Homewood’s Tree Committee. 9:30-10:15AM

NATURE TALES: MIGRATION CELEBRATON Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland, IL 708-868-0606 Children in grades 1-4 are invited to learn about birds as millions of them get ready to make their annual trip south for the winter. 1:30-2:30PM

WOOFSTOCK Bailey’s Crossing, 9910 South Melvina, Oak Lawn, IL 708-857-2200 4th Annual festival for dogs and people. The event will include: Contests, Dog Fashion Show, Doggie Dashes, Vender Booths and Concessions. 1-4PM

MOKENA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Historic McGovney-Yunker Farm, 10820 LaPorte Road, Mokena, IL 708-479-2468 Join us for our 10th Annual Festival of Food and Wine on the grounds of historic McGovney-Yunker Farm. Taste a variety of wines specially paired with dishes from local restaurants. Enjoy the festival atmosphere, browse the artisan booths and listen to live performances. Ages 21 and over ONLY. ALL TICKET SALES FINAL. (This is an outdoor event. For your comfort please dress accordingly). 12-6PM

SPANK! THE FIFTY SHADES PARODY The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, One University Parkway, University Park, IL 708-235-2222 It’s time for the saucy book that caused a world sensation to get SPANKED! SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is the hilarious new musical that brings all the naughty fun of the best-selling book to life. Your inner goddess will be laughing out loud with this new imagining of the characters as they come to life with sharp-witted comedy, musical numbers, steamy and fun performances from the hunky leading man, plus lots of surprises! Get there early for pre-show cocktails, then stay to meet the cast after the show, and pose for a photo with the fetching star himself. 8PM

NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL EVENT Breidert Green, Oak & Kansas Streets, Frankfort, IL 815-469-2177 x243 10AM-4PM

CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER TOYOTA PARK, 7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 888-MLS-FIRE The Chicago Fire sit one point out of a playoff spot and take on a tough New England Revolution Club. Get their early for your free scarf at Sustainability Night presented by Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program 7:30PM

CREEK PEEK Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 West 111th Street, Lemont, IL 630-257-2045 How clean is the water? Learn how to measure a creek’s quality by what is living in it. 1PM

FLOSSMOOR 5K RUN/WALK Leavitt Park, 1010 Leavitt Avenue, Flossmoor, IL 708-957-0300 9AM

SPORTS COLLECTIBLE SHOW Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, IL 708-403-6200 Sports Cards, Toys, Nascar & More 9AM-2PM

GOODENOW GROVE FALL FEST Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 Dutton Road, Beecher, IL 708-946-2216 Celebrate the arrival of autumn at this annual festival. Live music, children’s activities and vendors are just a few features of this family program. 11AM-5PM

Sunday, September 15, 2013 OLD MILL FALL FEST H.A. Rathje’s Peotone Mill, 427 West Corning Avenue, Peotone, IL 708-258-6797 Explore three floors of this German Windmill built in 1872 filled with antiques, exhibits and demonstrations of old time crafts. 11AM-5PM

ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR Begins at Masonic Temple, 12757 Western Avenue, Blue Island, IL 708-371-8546 Our Architectural Walking Tour will begin at the Masonic Temple and progress through the neighborhood on foot. This walk will be just under one mile in distance. Be sure to wear walking shoes. Refreshments will be served. Call for information on pre-sale tickets. 1PM

MONARCH BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, 7402 West Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights, IL 708-361-1873 Butterfly Tent, Live Music, Rock Climbing Wall, Hayrides, Children’s Games and Crafts, Make and Take Garden Activities, Scarecrow Making, Arts and Crafts Fair, Potato Dig, Canoe Rentals, Amateur Photo Contest, Face Painting, Food Vendors, Farm Animals, The Frog Lady, Reptile Road Show, Children in Butterfly Costumes will Receive a Free Gift While Supplies Last 11AM-4:30PM

SEPTEMBER SUNSET MUSIC SERIES Breidert Green, Oak & Kansas Streets, Frankfort, IL 815-469-2177 x243 5PM

 

 

You can always find the complete list of Festivals and Events here!

With temperatures in the 70s and little rain in the forecast, this will be a great weekend for all the unique festivals and events in the Chicago Southland.  From art to Chicago Fire Soccer, area garage sales and running with the horses at Balmoral Park.

Art & Garden Street Fair

Friday, June 7^th – Friday 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Centered at Martin Avenue and Ridge Road in Downtown Homewood

Art and Garden Street Fair is a two-day festival featuring unique artisans, activities and live entertainment. Kicking off the festivities at noon on Friday is Grammy Nominated children’s performer Justin Roberts and The Not Ready for Nap Time Players. This two-day festival features over 45 unique artisans and vendors, activities for all ages, gardening workshops, music from around the world and food from Homewood’s best restaurants. This festival is free and open to the public however there is a fee for specific art activities.