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