2023 Holiday events calendar

Dec. 26

Kinara lighting. Flossmoor will host a kinara lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. in front of Park Place in Flossmoor Park, 2449 Flossmoor Road. The ceremony to celebrate Kwanzaa will be conducted each day at 5 p.m. through Jan. 1.

Dec. 1

Homewood Holiday Lights. Shopping, music, activities for kids downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. Santa will light the community Christmas tree at 7 p.m. in Irwin Park, 18120 Highland AVe. Children will be able to visit with Santa following the tree lighting ceremony.
Specialty Physicians of Illinois, 3700 W. 203rd St., Olympia Fields, will host a Toys for Tots toy drive from noon to 4 p.m.

Dec. 2

Homewood Holiday Market. From 8 a.m. to noon in the Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road.
Gingerbread House Extravaganza. From 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room, Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. Celebrate the season by building gingerbread houses with peppermints, frosting and gumdrops. Children under 9 years old must have an adult caregiver stay with them at the program.
Holiday Spirits market. The Cancer Support Center will sponsor the fundraiser, which will start at 7p.m. at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. The evening will include local artisans and shops, light appetizers, holiday cocktails, raffles and more. All proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Cancer Support Center. Tickets are available at holidayspirits.funraise.org.
“It’s a Wonderful Life — A Radio Play.” The Drama Group will offer a free staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at the Milord Studio Theatre at 330 W. 202nd St. in Chicago Heights. Donations will be accepted for the South Suburban Humane Society.
A Very Grande Prairie Christmas. Grand Prairie Singers will present a wide array of contemporary and classical music, both sacred and secular, to welcome the Christmas season at 3 p.m. in Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor.

Dec. 3

Holiday Joy and Fanfare. The South Holland Master Chorale will perform at 4 p.m. in St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 17951 Dixie Highway in Homewood. The singers will be joined by Chicago Gargoyle Brass and organist Mark Sudeith.

Dec. 6

Bike Ornament Craft Night. GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 183rd St., Homewood, will host from 6 to 8:30 p.m. an opportunity to “create funky and fun holiday ornaments and decorations from old, discarded bike parts, or just dive right in following your own muse. GoodSpeed will provide the bike parts, glue guns and decorative crafty bits.” Event will include drinks and snacks. There will be a $10 per adult minimum donation to World Bicycle Relief. Kids welcome. RSVP at bit.ly/3QOgj2d.

Dec. 7

Menorah Lighting. Flossmoor will host a menorah lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. in front of Park Place in Flossmoor Park, 2449 Flossmoor Road. The ceremony celebrating Hanukkah will be conducted at 5 p.m. each day through Dec. 15.

Dec. 8

Kayla & Mara’s Toys for Tots hot chocolate sale. Kayla and Mara Winfrey will host their 20th annual hot chocolate stand from 4 to 8 p.m. at 1323 Hillview Road in Homewood. The sisters use proceeds from the sale to purchase toys for the Toys for Tots program.
Menorah Lighting. Flossmoor will host a menorah lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. in front of Park Place in Flossmoor Park, 2449 Flossmoor Road. The ceremony celebrating Hanukkah will be conducted at 5 p.m. each day through Dec. 15.
Christmas Movie Trivia Night. Flossmoor Community Church will host an opportunity to test your knowledge of popular Christmas movies. The event will start at 7 p.m. in the Community House, 847 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor. Come as a formed team or as individuals. BYOB.

Dec. 9

Nanny Nikki. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host a holiday musical performance by Nanny Nikki at 11 a.m.

Dec. 10

Santa Claus is Coming to Puppy Town. Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave., will welcome families and their canine friends to a buffet brunch from 8 to 11 a.m. Photos with Santa. Raffle with proceeds benefiting the South Suburban Humane Society. RSVP by calling 708-957-2739.

Dec. 12

Santa driveway visits. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will provide Santa Claus visits to homes from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and Dec.13. Residents can take a photo with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. Available to H-F residents only. Cost is $20 per house visit. Register at bit.ly/3QCxmV8.
Ho Ho Ho-Flo Holiday Lights Ride. GoodSpeed Cycle will lead a bike ride from 6:30 to 8 p.m. starting from the shop at 2125 183rd St. in Homewood. Described as “a slow and social bike tour of Homewood and Flossmoor’s bestest, funnest and beautifulest holiday lights and decorations.” The cost is $3/person minimum cash donation to benefit the partner abuse support work of Anew (formerly South Suburban Family Shelter), or donate at bit.ly/40DYiZ6.

Dec. 14

Holiday cookie decorating. Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, will host a cookie decorating session with Panda Baby Cookies from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16

Santa’s Senior Helpers. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. H-F High School seniors and local senior citizens will help Santa with all of the letters he receives. Seniors will be partnered with seniors at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor to help Santa out.

Dec. 17

Skate with Santa. From 1 to 3 p.m. in the H-F Ice Arena, 777 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor. There will be free hot chocolate and photos with Santa. Admission is $6, skate rental is $4 and skate helpers are $5.
Christmas at the Brewery. Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, will host Santa Claus, carriage rides, free hot chocolate, a magician and more. Seatings at 4 and 6:30 p.m. RSVP by calling 708-957-2739.

Dec. 21

Flossmoor Holiday Lights parade. Flossmoor public safety and public works vehicles will be brightly decorated for the holidays and will wind through village neighborhoods from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Cheesy holiday movie night. Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, will host a showing of holiday movies from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP at flossmoorstation.com.
Light up trail walk. From 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22 and 23. Stroll through a winter wonderland at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, where festive lights and the beauty of nature meet in a magical new way. Hot chocolate and s’mores will be available to purchase. Park in the Vollmer Road Lot at 2453 Vollmer Road. Cost is $2 for district residents, $5 for non-residents. Register at bit.ly/3SzA6VQ.

Events