HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL PREP — Martin Avenue remains closed from Ridge Road to Hickory Road. Ridge Road from Harwood Avenue to Dixie Highway will be closed at 7:30 a.m. today and Ridge Road from Dixie Highway east to Highland Avenue will be closed at 4 p.m. in preparation for the Holiday Lights Festival, which will begin at 5 p.m.
HOMEWOOD HOLIDAY LIGHTS — Shopping, music, souvenir mugs, a parade, activities for kids downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight. 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.
TOY DRIVE — Specialty Physicians of Illinois, 3700 W. 203rd St., Olympia Fields, will host a Toys for Tots toy drive from noon to 4 p.m. today.
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER WORKSHOP — Nexus Counseling Services will present symptoms and effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder from 1 to 2:30 p.m. today at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. The presentation will include resources and techniques from trained professionals that can help people who experience the disorder.
HOMEWOOD HOLIDAY MARKET — The village’s first indoor holiday market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday 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. on Saturday. 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.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE — A RADIO PLAY” — The Drama Group will offer a free staged reading at 7:30 p.m. Saturday 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. Saturday in Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor.
TAYLOR SWIFT KARAOKE — Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host an evening of Taylor Swift songs, friendship bracelets and fun from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Participants should feel free to wear their Eras outfits and spend the night singing.
ROLLER DERBY MINOR LEAGUE BOUT — Chicago Knockouts youth players will face off at 6 p.m. Saturday in Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be $10, online and at the door. Accessible seating available at no extra charge.
PICTURES WITH SANTA — Thomas Photographic, 18676 Dixie Highway in Homewood, will host its annual Pictures with Santa sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Prices start at $22. More info here.
HOLIDAY JOY AND FANFARE — The South Holland Master Chorale will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday in St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 17951 Dixie Highway in Homewood. The singers will be joined by Chicago Gargoyle Brass and organist Mark Sudeith.