Chris Kringle Market – Ottawa

Jordan Block 123 W. Main St., Ottawa, United States +1 more

Stroll under the twinkling lights as you immerse yourself amongst sparkling boutique windows filled with soft sweaters, brightly colored ornaments, fresh greens and new novels, all waiting to be wrapped with a bow. Grab a market mug filled with fresh Belgian hot cocoa to warm your hands

Gemini Giant Homecoming

Island Park 353 S. Park St., Wilmington, IL, United States

After 60+ years of looking over Route 66 in Wilmington the Gemini Giant is getting ready for his return to town. He's in the last days of his vacation and will be on his way back...and we're going to throw him one heck of a party! The

Christmas in the Square – Lockport

Lockport City Hall 222 E. 9th St., Lockport, IL, United States

Lockport’s Central Square transforms into a Holiday Winter Wonderland ...visit with Santa, The Grinch, Buddy the Elf, and live reindeer. Stay warm by skating on the artificial Ice Rink, dodging the Snowball Fight Field, and playing in the Giant Snow Globe and Gingerbread House inflatables! Stop by

Winter Lights at Pullman National Historic Park

Pullman National Historic Park 610 E. 111th St., Chicago, United States

Celebrate the joy of the season at the Winter Lights of Pullman on Saturday, November 30, from 2-5PM. This free, family friendly event at Pullman National Historical Park & State Historic Site features festive music, holiday games and crafts, seasonal snacks, and the inaugural holiday lighting of

Wilmington Christmas Parade

Downtown Wilmington N. Water St., Wilmington, IL, United States

The Wilmington Christmas Parade will start downtown on North. Water Street. 

Princeton Home for the Holidays Lightshow

Bureau County Fairgrounds 811 W. Peru St., Princeton, IL, United States

The new Home for the Holiday Light Show is a family drive-thru experience featuring light displays and a few special guests to greet you.  

Chicago Maritime Museum Holiday Party with Lee Murdock

Chicago Maritime Museum 1200 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL, United States

Save Saturday, November 30, for a rousing afternoon and evening of magical music and storytelling by Lee Murdock at the Chicago Maritime Museum, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. This is an all-ages performance sure to ring in the season of holiday gatherings. The party starts with admission to the

Polar Express

Rialto Square Theatre 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, United States

Tickets are $5 each, and will be available day-of at the Rialto Square Theatre Box Office. All seating will be General Admission—first come, first serve. Cash and credit will be accepted for payment. Bar and concessions will be available for purchase. Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis

Lost & Found: Four Rivers Story Trail

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

Stroll down the Four Rivers Woodland Loop Trail and follow along with Winter Trees by Carole Gerber. On this forest adventure, you will visit the trees that have lost their leaves to learn their unique shapes and qualities. Illustrator Leslie Evans brings the story of these winter

Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Show

Bureau County Fairgrounds 811 W. Peru St., Princeton, IL, United States

This Princeton gun show is held at Bureau County Fairgrounds and hosted by Sauk Trail Gun Collectors. All federal and local firearm laws and ordinances must be obeyed. General Admission: $5.00 15 and Under: Free

Indige-Facts Traveling Exhibit

Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

Are Native Americans U.S. citizens? How many Indigenous people live in this country? Do all American Indians live on reservations? What are the right words to describe the people who have always lived here? It is common for people to have questions about the lives and experiences

Chris Kringle Market – Ottawa

Jordan Block 123 W. Main St., Ottawa, United States +1 more

Stroll under the twinkling lights as you immerse yourself amongst sparkling boutique windows filled with soft sweaters, brightly colored ornaments, fresh greens and new novels, all waiting to be wrapped with a bow. Grab a market mug filled with fresh Belgian hot cocoa to warm your hands

Old Fashioned Christmas in the Village

Utica invites you to celebrate the start of the holiday season at Christmas in the Village!  SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS – Horse-drawn carriage rides – Strolling barbershop quartet – Free trolley service – Children’s activities from 2-4:30pm at a NEW LOCATION the Village Hall 248 W Canal St including

Meet a Beekeeper

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.

Chicago Festival Ballet’s Production of the Nutcracker

Rialto Square Theatre 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, United States

This holiday favorite fairytale ballet is perfect for the entire family. The magical production features lavish costumes, exquisite sets, including a Christmas tree that grows before your eyes, and sensational choreography. Journey through the land of whirling snowflakes and visit the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Princeton Home for the Holidays Lightshow

Bureau County Fairgrounds 811 W. Peru St., Princeton, IL, United States

The new Home for the Holiday Light Show is a family drive-thru experience featuring light displays and a few special guests to greet you.  

Serenity Walk Under the New Moon

Little Red Schoolhouse

Take a 2-mile walk in the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. Dependent upon trail conditions. Ages 14 & up.  

Lost & Found: Remnants of Savannas & Old Growth Forests

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

This traveling exhibition presents the work of landscape photographer Miles Lowry. Through remarkable photographs, Lowry captures the grace and grandeur in what remains of the vast forests and savannas that once covered the eastern half of the United States. Since 2001, he has searched out and documented

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Wet Felting Workshop

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

Explore the Art of Creating with Wool! Dive into the captivating world of wet felting with our hands-on workshop designed for beginners. In this class, you'll discover the ancient craft of transforming raw wool fibers into beautiful felted creations using water, soap, and agitation. Led by experienced

A Midcentury Christmas

Jacob Henry Mansion 20 S. Eastern, Joliet, IL, United States

Christmas in America in the mid 1900s meant aluminum trees, department store Santas, and iconic toys like slinkies and Easy Bake Ovens. Look back at this optimistic era in a fun lecture by historian Leslie Goddard using nostalgic images to explore its importance for holiday celebrations as

Still Life Painting Workshop

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

Explore the timeless beauty of everyday objects in our still life painting class. Learn the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and color theory as you bring inanimate objects to life on canvas. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, discover the artistry in the ordinary and unleash

Merry Little Soiree Featuring Nova Soul Quartet

Rialto Square Theatre 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, United States

Enjoy a swanky Christmas party with a local favorite, Nova Soul! Start the evening with cocktail hour (Cash Bar) and then be escorted to your table of two in the Esplanade where you will be served a charcuterie board and a bottle of wine from the local

Christmas on State Street

Jacob Henry Mansion 20 S. Eastern, Joliet, IL, United States

For decades, Christmas in Chicago meant a trip to State Street to see the incredible Christmas displays in the department stores. Photographs, ads, and other memorabilia illustrate many beloved traditions like the animated window displays and the Christmas parade, told by historian Leslie Goddard. Lunch Entree: Traditional

Cyanotype Workshop

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the world of cyanotype printing in our immersive Cyanotype Workshop! Discover the magic of this historic photographic process that harnesses the power of light to create stunning blue-hued prints. Our knowledgeable instructor will guide you through each step of the process,