From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, the Homewood-Flossmoor community comes together in dozens of ways to celebrate the holiday season. Let the Chronicle’s calendar be your guide!
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, the Homewood-Flossmoor community comes together in dozens of ways to celebrate the holiday season. Let the Chronicle’s calendar be your guide! This calendar first appeared in the Chronicle Holiday Guide pull-out section in the November print edition.
Note: Taizé Mass at Infant Jesus of Prague Church is at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. The original listing included an incorrect time.
Friday, Dec. 2
5 to 9 p.m., Village Artists Winter Boutique featuring handmade pottery, stained glass, jewelry, fiber art, paintings and more.
6 to 9 p.m., Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in Irwin Park includes music, hot chocolate and a bonfire while waiting for Santa to arrive and flip the magical tree lighting switch. Afterward enjoy the festivities in downtown Homewood, which includes desserts, food and ice sculpting.
Saturday, Dec. 3
9 to 11 a.m., Annual Cookie Walk, Church of Saint John the Evangelist, 2640 Park Drive, Flossmoor. A wide variety of homemade cookies sold by the pound and specialty treats will be available. Donations benefit PADS, South Suburban Family Shelter, Rich Township Food Pantry and Respond Now.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holiday Crafts for Kids gives 6- to 12-year-olds time to create several different crafts that can be used as holiday gifts or decorations, Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; $25 resident fee.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Village Artists Winter Boutique featuring handmade pottery, stained glass, jewelry, fiber art, paintings and more. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Salt Creek Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University; ticket information is at www.govst.edu/BoxOffice/. At 3 p.m., take pictures with Santa, enjoy holiday treats and meet the dancing cast.
2 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s Holiday Instrumental Series Part I with performances by the Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble, Mall Auditorium.
2 to 5 p.m., Flossmoor’s Winterfest celebrating the holiday season, includes Children’s Story Time at 2 p.m., Children’s Holiday Party from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the tree lighting at 5 p.m., all at the Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor.
4 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s Holiday Instrumental Series Part I with performances by the Concert Orchestra and Guitar Ensemble, Mall Auditorium.
Sunday, Dec. 4
11:30 a.m., Family Mass at Infant Jesus of Prague Church, 1131 Douglas, Flossmoor.
2 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s Holiday Instrumental Series Part II with performances by the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, Mall Auditorium.
4 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s Holiday Instrumental Series Part II with performances by the Viking Orchestra and the H-F Sinfonia, Mall Auditorium.
4 p.m., South Holland Master Chorale 16th Annual Christmas at St. Victor’s featuring a selection of holiday carols and pieces from Holst, Rachmaninoff and Mendelssohn; St. Victor Church, 553 Hirsch Ave., Calumet City. Info is at www.southhollandchorale.com/.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
6:30 p.m., Beginning Band (fifth grade) and Blue Jazz Band (sixth grade) concerts, Parker Junior High, 2810 School St., Flossmoor.
7 p.m., Marian Catholic High School’s Christmas Choir Concert in the Croarkin Theater on campus, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
4:30 to 6 p.m., Holiday Sweet No-Bake Treats class for 6- to 10-year-olds at the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; $40 resident fee.
Thursday, Dec. 8
10 a.m., Panther Choir from James Hart School will perform a holiday repertoire followed by a few Christmas stories, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road, Homewood.
6:30 p.m., Winter Choral Concert at Parker Junior High, 2810 School Street, Flossmoor.
7 p.m., Christmas in Chicago program given by author Dave Clark sharing a unique look at the Christmas traditions of Chicago, Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave.
Friday, Dec. 9
7 p.m., Carols and Cheer at Grape & Grain, 18031 Dixie Highway, Homewood for a festive singing of carols hosted by Faith Lutheran Church of Homewood.
Saturday, Dec. 10
9 to 10:30 a.m., Gingerbread Creations gives you a chance to build a unique gingerbread house, Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; $12 resident fee.
10 a.m. to noon, Brunch with Santa at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. Reservations are required at 708-957-8774.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holiday Crafts for Kids gives 6- to 12-year-olds the chance to create several crafts that can be used as gifts or holiday decorations, Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; $25 resident fee.
Noon to 3 p.m., Cookie Walk and Bazaar with cookies sold by the pound and handmade gifts from crafters, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road, Homewood.
1 p.m., Season’s Readings, a program of local authors reading from their books that will be available for purchase as holiday gifts; Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway.
3 p.m., Annual Tuba Holiday Concert, featuring former and current Homewood-Flossmoor High School band members, at H-F High’s Mall Auditorium.
Sunday, Dec. 11
4 p.m., “Winderlude 2016” concert by The Grande Prairie Singers and Children’s Chorus featuring traditional holiday songs and contemporary carols, at St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church, 4101 St. Lawrence Ave., Matteson. Tickets are $20.
3 to 5 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Holiday Tea. This elegant holiday tea will include a best hat contest so dress in your finest! Tea cup raffle will also be held, Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields. Registration deadline is Dec. 8; $10 resident fee. Info at 708-957-0300.
5 p.m., Taizé Mass at Infant Jesus of Prague Church, 1131 Douglas Ave., Flossmoor.
Monday, Dec. 12
6:30 p.m., Still Night Service at First Presbyterian Church of Homewood, 17929 Gottschalk Ave.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
6:30 p.m., Symphonic Band (seventh and eighth grades) and Gold Jazz Band concerts, Parker Junior High, 2810 School St., Flossmoor.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
4:30 to 6 p.m., Holiday Sweet No-Bake Treats class for 11- to 15-year-olds at the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; $40 resident fee.
6:30 p.m., Kindergarten and first grade concert, Flossmoor Hills Elementary School, 3721 Beech St., Flossmoor.
7 p.m., Homewood Historical Society’s meeting will feature holiday musical entertainment, Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway.
7 p.m., Advent Midweek Service at Faith Lutheran Church, 18645 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
Thursday, Dec. 15
6:30 p.m., Kindergarten, first and second grade choir and fourth and fifth grade concert, Heather Hill School, 1439 Lawrence Crescent, Flossmoor.
7 p.m., Infant Jesus of Prague School Band/ Choir Christmas Concert, Marian Catholic High School Auditorium, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights.
7 p.m., St. Joseph School Christmas Show, St. Joseph Church, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
7 p.m., Holiday Skies program with Michelle Nichols of the Adler Planetarium sharing information on the fascinating celestial connections to the holidays from several cultures and traditions, including astronomical suggestions for the Star of Bethlehem, solstice observations at Stonehenge, Incan solar celebrations and more, Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave.
Friday, Dec. 16
5 and 7 p.m., Pizza and pasta with Santa at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. Reservations are required at 708-957-8774.
Saturday, Dec. 17
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holiday Crafts for Kids gives 6- to 12-year-olds the chance to create several crafts that can be used as gifts or holiday decorations, Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; $25 resident fee.
2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Gingerbread House Extravaganza for all ages; Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. Pre-registration required at 708-798-3600.
3 p.m., Holiday Concert with the Illinois Philharmonic featuring the Grande Prairie Singers and Grande Prairie Children’s Choir performed at Lincoln-Way West High, 21701 Gougar Rd., New Lenox. Info at www.ipomusic.org.
Sunday, Dec. 18
10:45 a.m., Children’s Christmas Musical on what it means to be in the “Inn Crowd,” Faith Lutheran Church, 18645 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
3 p.m., Annual Holiday Choir Concert at Homewood-Flossmoor High School featuring performances by H-F’s Boys and Bel Canto choirs, hand bell choir and the combined Viking Choir, Mall Auditorium.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
7 p.m., Award-winning tenor Gavin Coyle performs holiday selections at St. Joseph Church, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
7 p.m., Homewood Children’s Choir (4th and 5th grade ensembles) perform at James Hart School, 18220 Morgan Ave., Homewood.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Winter Solstice Adventure at Irons Oaks includes cross country skiing, snowshoeing, high ropes course, rock climbing wall and crate climbing with a bonfire from 3 to 6 p.m., Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields.
6:30 p.m., Flossmoor Hills Choir Concert, Flossmoor Hills School, 3721 Beech St., Flossmoor.
Saturday, Dec. 24
5 p.m., Family Worship service marking Christmas Eve at Faith Lutheran Church, 18645 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
5 p.m., Christmas Eve Service at First Presbyterian Church of Homewood, 17929 Gottschalk Ave.
5 p.m., Christmas Eve family service with Instant Nativity, Flossmoor Community Church, 847 Hutchins Road.
9 p.m., Christmas Eve service at Flossmoor Community Church, 847 Hutchins Road, Flossmoor.
10 p.m., Candlelight worship service, Faith Lutheran Church, 18645 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
11 p.m., Christmas Eve Service with candlelight service, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road, Homewood.
11 p.m., Christmas Eve service at Flossmoor Community Church, 847 Hutchins Road. Sunday, Dec. 25 9:30 a.m., Christmas Day service, Faith Lutheran Church, 18645 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
Saturday, Dec. 31
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Noon Year’s Eve Event at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road in Homewood, a family celebration ringing in the New Year with a countdown and balloon drop at noon; entertainment by Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., seating is limited.
8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball hosted by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District at The Clubhouse at Dolphin Lake. DJ entertainment, appetizers and open bar. Must be 21 to attend; $80 per person; tickets at Goldberg Center, Irwin Center or Wiley’s Grill.
Sunday, Jan. 1
9:30 a.m., New Year’s Day worship service, Faith Lutheran Church, 18645 Dixie Highway, Homewood.