There is something to do for all interests this weekend in Chicago Southland. Whether you’re looking to celebrate the holiday season or see a show, you will find it just beyond the city limits.

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Holiday Happenings

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN DOWNTOWN TINLEY
Oak Park Avenue Train Station
17375 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
(708) 444-5678
Holiday celebration inside a large heated tent featuring entertainment, tasty treats, crafts, gift vendors, carriage rides, music, children's rides, ice carving, a visit with Santa Claus and much more!
F 6-9PM; Sa 12-6PM; Su 12-5PM

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
THORNTON HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Throughout Thornton
(708) 877-6137
Holiday activities throughout the village including lunch with Santa, children's activities, trolley rides, craft and bake sales, performing groups, live nativity scene, evening light parade and a pancake breakfast.
F 5PM; Sa 9AM; Su 8AM

Friday, December 4th - Saturday, December 5th
CRETE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Downtown Crete
Main & Exchange Streets, Crete
(708) 672-9216
Crete Country Christmas - 2 days of various activities in Downtown Crete including a chili cook-off, hay rides, bonfires, food trucks, ice sculpting demonstrations, 5K Run, a pet blessing and more. The Lighted Parade Saturday will begin 6:30PM.
F 5-10:30PM; Sa 8AM-10:30PM

Friday, December 4th
PALOS PARK HOLIDAY MARKET
Recreation Center
8901 West 123rd Street, Palos Park
(708) 671-3760
We are welcoming in the Holiday Season with the arrival of Santa, the Annual Tree Lighting and holiday vendors, food and entertainment.
5-9PM

Friday, December 4th
HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN HOMEWOOD
Martin Avenue & Ridge Road
Homewood
(708) 206-3393
Experience the festivity of the season at the annual Holiday Lights in Homewood. Celebration featuring a tree lighting, reindeer petting zoo, trolley rides, ice carvings and Santa.
6-9PM

Saturday, December 5th - Sunday, December 6th
STEP BACK INTO A 1950s CHRISTMAS EXHIBIT
1950s Park Forest House Museum
227 Monee Road, Park Forest
(708) 481-4252
This nostalgic look at Christmas Past is decorated in vintage Christmas, including Gurley Candles and rotating metal Black Forest Green tree.
By appointment; call about regular hours

Saturday, December 5th - Sunday, December 6th
HOLIDAY MAGIC
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
(708) 688-8000
Start a new family tradition at Chicagoland's largest holiday lights festival featuring over one million twinkling lights, animated light displays and a laser light show! Many of the indoor exhibits will be open for viewing favorite animals, including the newest, Great Bear Wilderness. Plus, there is a special dolphin show each evening at 6:30PM. In addition, the zoo restaurants and food stands will be open with full menus and holiday treats, and gift shops will have hundreds of unique items. Enjoy a full schedule of nightly music and entertainment in the Pavilions. Outside enjoy nightly ice carving and an amazing magic show. Then step inside the Holly Jolly Theater and enjoy performances by local choirs and many more holiday themed performances.
Sa-Su 4-9PM

Saturday, December 5th - Sunday, December 6th
CHRISTKINDL
Downtown Frankfort
Frankfort
(815) 469-2177 x243
Christkindl Weekend marks its 30th year of celebrating the holiday season with a nod to Frankfort's German heritage set amidst the charm of the downtown historic district. Christkindl weekend activities include the Opening Ceremony on the Breidert Green stage at noon on December 5th with St. Nicholas, live reindeer on the Green on Sunday, photo ops with St. Nicholas, Santa’s Secret Workshop (where children “shop” for $2 gifts and elves wrap the presents), cookie decorating with Kernel Sweetooth, letter writing to Santa (with special delivery to the North Pole) and more.
12-4PM

Saturday, December 5th
SANTA'S PIT STOP
Orland Park Sportsplex
11351 West 159th Street, Orland Park
(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

Saturday, December 5th
CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
City Hall
15440 South Central Avenue, Oak Forest
(708) 687-4050 x1043
Join Mayor Hank Kuspa and Mr. & Mrs. Claus as they ring in the holiday season. The parade kicks off at Oak Forest High School at 11AM and proceeds on Central Avenue to City Hall. The tree lighting ceremony takes place at the gazebo at City Hall after the parade. After the ceremony, families can enjoy refreshments and visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus inside Fire Station 1.
11AM

Saturday, December 5th
THORNTON TOWNSHIP HOLIDAY DINNER
South Suburban College Fitness Center
15800 South State Street, South Holland
(708) 596-6040 x3168
Thornton Township and Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli continue to provide a social service safety net to all seventeen municipalities that encompass Thornton Township.
Doors open 11:30AM; 12-4PM

Saturday, December 5th
CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE
Western Avenue-Union Street to Grove Street
Blue Island
(708) 396-7066
Christmas Light Parade is an annual event in Blue Island to celebrate the holidays.
5:30PM

Sunday, December 6th
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE
Thornton Historical Society Museum
114 North Hunter Street, Thornton
(708) 877-8901
See the museum decorated for the holidays. Visit with Santa and receive a gift while you enjoy delicious treats. There will also be a caroling sing-a-long.
2-4PM

Arts & Culture

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
HEAVEN CAN WAIT
The Drama Group Studio Theatre
330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights
(708) 755-3444
Boxer Joe Pendleton, flying to his next fight, crashes and is sent to the Hereafter…sixty years too soon! To make matters worse, before the matter can be rectified by heavenly supervisor Mr. Jordan, his body is cremated. Instead, Joe is given the body of the very wealthy Jonathan Farnsworth, who is about to be murdered by his wife. Joe, living as Farnsworth, tries to remake Farnsworth’s unworthy life and avoid his murderous wife, while resurrecting his boxing career and falling in love. All is going somewhat according to plan until Farnsworth raises a fuss and insists on having his body back. Soul-shifting shenanigans ensue as Mr. Jordan attempts to complete his earthly task and Joe fights to keep his own spirit alive.
F-Sa 7:30PM; Su 2PM

Friday, December 4th
MASTERS OF SOUL
Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre
410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest
(708) 747-0580
An encore performance for Masters of Soul with a holiday twist! MASTERS OF SOUL is a celebration of the Motown era featuring hits from the Temptations - Gladys Knight & the Pips - Marvin Gaye - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - Four Tops - Diana Ross & Supremes and many more!
7:30PM

Saturday, December 5th
SALT CREEK BALLET - THE NUTCRACKER
Governors State University Center for Performing Arts
1 University Parkway, University Park
(708) 235-2222
A magical tale featuring Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, a brand new set & costumes – along with waltzing flowers, giant mice and the Sugar Plum Fairy. A delightful holiday tradition for all ages! Photos with Santa will be available at 3PM.
1PM & 5PM

Explore Nature

Saturday, December 5th
WEE WONDERS SERIES: FUR, FEATHERS AND SCALES
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Children ages 3-6 are invited to their very own nature program to explore fur, feathers and scales.
10AM

Saturday, December 5th
WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE ABOUT LICHENS?
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Ages 13 and up will enjoy taking a closer look at lichens as we take a late fall hike on our trails.
1:30PM

Saturday, December 5th
LIVE HEALTHY, DISCOVER NATURE! HIKE
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Join Sand Ridge Nature Center's monthly hiking club. A naturalist will lead a vigorous, two-mile hike on our trails.
1:30PM

Sunday, December 6th
CHRISTMAS PAST
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Visit our pioneer cabins as we celebrate this joyous time of year in a 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

Learn Something New

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 27th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Shopping

You’ll want to explore all of the “SHOPPERTUNITIES” in Chicago Southland.

Friday, December 4th
JERRY ROSSEN PUBLIC AUCTIONS
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 997-0245
Auctions will include antiques, collectibles, furniture and more!
6PM

Sunday, December 6th
HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR
Central Park Building
15601 South Central, Oak Forest
(708) 752-8132
Shop for holiday gifts, bake sale, raffles and visit with Santa.
10AM-3PM

Sports

Saturday, December 5th - Sunday, December 6th
LIVE HARNESS RACING
Balmoral Park Race Track
26435 South Dixie Highway, Crete
(708) 672-1414
View Live Harness racing, simulcast harness and thoroughbred racing.
Sa-Su 7:10PM

Saturday, December 5th
CRETE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS 5K
The Edge Coffee House & Roasting Company
1366 Main Street, Crete
(708) 672-6969
Runners and walkers welcome...strollers too! “Get ready! Tech long sleeve t-shirts, guaranteed to the first 100 registrants. Proceeds beyond race expenses go to the Crete Food Pantry! Registration fee $25, family and youth special rates…youth under 16 for $15, family of four or more (same household) at $75 per family (pre-race registration prices). After race refreshments provided by our sponsors. All age bracket awards include 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals, for men and women. T-shirt / bib number pick up at The Edge before race and free coffee for all participants.
7AM registration & packet pickup; 8AM race

Saturday, December 5th
5K JINGLE BELL RACE
Prairie Bluff Public Golf Club
19433 Renwick Road, Crest Hill
(815) 838-1183
The Jingle Bell 5K Race is certified and accurately marked and measured. The course features mostly rolling terrain with a few hills on paved roads and fairways, through scenic Prairie Bluff Golf Course. All participants will receive an official 5k race shirt and enjoy the post-race party including chili lunch, cookies and hot chocolate. RACETIME will keep the official time and results of the race. Prizes will be awarded to the Overall Male and Female runner. Awards will be given to the top two runners in each age division.
7:30AM pre-registration; 9AM start

Saturday, December 5th
SNOWMAN SCRAMBLE
Stony Creek Golf, Restaurant & Banquets
5850 West 103rd Street, Oak Lawn
(708) 857-2433
Don’t be afraid of the cold weather. Come out to Stony Creek and join us for the Snowman Scramble. It is a two person team scramble event.
9:30AM

Saturday, December 5th
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI SEMINARS
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th Street, Lemont
(630) 257-2045
Learn how cross-country ski equipment should fit. The professionals at Sagawau will cover skis, boots, poles and clothing-including classic, ski skating and telemark skiing equipment. You'll also go over winter safety and what to expect from your first cross-country skiing experience.
1PM

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar of events.