Sunday, Dec. 1
South Holland Master Chorale Concert. The South Holland Master Chorale will present “Joy and Fanfare” at 4 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 17951 Dixie Highway in Homewood.
Monday, Dec. 2
Craft with Claire: DIY Holiday Cracker Party Favors. Make your festive table pop. Make these at home with Claire (via on-demand video), and learn a bit of the history behind how these lively little parcels from Victorian times became a British cultural staple. Offered as a take-and-make craft with supplies, instructions, and pre-recorded talk. Video will be available to view from Monday, Dec. 9 through Monday, Jan. 6. Registration is required and limited. Registration begins Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until supplies are gone. More information at flossmoorlibrary.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Giving Tuesday Holiday Happy Hour Toy Drive. You Matter 2 will host an evening of community, holiday cheer and giving back at our Giving Tuesday Holiday Happy Hour Toy Drive from 5 to 8 p.m. at Vintrendi Wine Company, 3408 Vollmer Road in Olympia Fields. Enjoy wine and light bites while helping You Matter 2 reach its IGNITE the Future campaign goal of $5,000 to support youth empowerment. Suggested donation is $20 or a new, unwrapped toy for the Adopt-A-Family program. Please RSVP at bit.ly/YouMatter2HappyHour. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial Giving Tuesday Campaign. FVM is targeting a record-breaking $7,500 fundraising goal with the theme of “Join Forces for Flossmoor.” The organization will offer a number of premiums for donors. Fundraising updates will be posted during the with the hashtag #joinforcesforflossmoor. For more information, or to support FVM’s Dec. 3 Giving Tuesday effort, visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook, @FlossmoorVWH on Instagram/X, flossmoorvets.square.site on the web, or [email protected] via e-mail.
Friday, Dec. 6
Homewood. (Chronicle file photo)
Holiday Lights in Homewood. Homewood’s annual holiday festival will be from 5 to 9 p.m. downtown. Stores, boutiques and restaurants will be filled with gifts and recipes you won’t find in any mall. Watch Santa flip the switch for the annual tree lighting ceremony in Irwin Park. There will be ice sculpture demonstrations, an antique car parade, and the grand holiday carousel. “Frozen” characters will sing, dance and pose for pictures throughout the evening. Souvenir holiday mugs will be for sale.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play. The Governors State University Center for Performing Arts will present a live radio play adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” that takes the audience back in time to the 1940s. Experience the nostalgia of classic radio theater as talented actors bring George Bailey, Clarence the angel and the residents of Bedford Falls to life. The show will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 1 University Place in University Park. Visit bit.ly/GSUWonderfulLife for information and tickets.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Homewood Holiday Market. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. Hot chocolate will be served, and there will be many vendors available.
Holiday Story Hour and Crafts. Families are invited to stop into the Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon for holiday stories and crafts with helpers from H-F High School VAST program and Student Government. No registration required.
(Chronicle file photo)
Janet Gustafson’s Gingerbread Village Display. Sign up for an exclusive viewing of Flossmoor resident Janet Gustafson’s amazing Gingerbread Village — one of a kind and open to the public one day only from 4 to 6 p.m. Click here to register.
Pictures with Santa. Thomas Photographic Services, 18676 Dixie Highway in Homewood, hosts its annual photo op with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices start at $25.
The Grande Prairie Singers Concert. The choir will present “Welcome Yule!” music for the season for chorus, organ, brass and percussion at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 6201 Vollmer Rd. in Matteson.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Bel Canto Winter Concert. Celebrate the season with beautiful music and multigenerational singing with the Bel Canto Choirs at 3 p.m. in the Mall Auditorium at Homewood-Flossmoor High School South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. Ticket info can be found at bit.ly/SpotlightAcademyEvents.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Santa’s Driveway Visits. From 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 11 and 19 Santa will visit families in H-F. Sign up for Santa to visit your driveway and tell him what you want for Christmas or take a personal photo with him by registering at bit.ly/SantaDriveway2024. The fee is $20 per visit.
Thursday, Dec. 12
H-F Holiday Lights Trolley Tour. A new holiday event: Hop on one of two trolleys for a tour of the best holiday lights in the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor from 5 to 10 p.m. Register at bit.ly/HFlightstour2024.
H-F High Orchestra Winter Concert. The concert will start at 7 p.m. in the Mall Auditorium, South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor.
South of Chi Holiday Improv Show. Come join South of Chi for an evening of improv comedy plus food and drinks. Players will create scenes, jokes and characters based on audience suggestions. As a bonus, enjoy the music stylings of Tiny Bubbles as they bring their ukes and voices to the show. Hosted by Thornton Distilling, 400 E. Margaret St., Thornton. Order tickets at bit.ly/SoChiImprovHoliday. Show starts at 7. PG-13 audience.
Friday, Dec. 13
while Mara Winfrey, left, looks on. Aly was at the 20th annual
Toys for Tots fundraiser with her mother, Megan, and sister,
Sylvia, in 2023. (Chronicle file photo)
Kayla and Mara’s Hot Chocolate Stand. Join Kayla and Mara Winfrey for their 21st annual Hot Chocolate Stand. All money raised will go towards buying toys to donate to Toys for Tots. Stop by between 4 and 8 p.m. at 1323 Hillview Road in Homewood to enjoy some delicious homemade hot chocolate and celebrate the season of giving by supporting a great cause. More information at bit.ly/hot-chocolate-2024.
FCC Christmas Movie Trivia. Lovers of Christmas movies, now’s your chance to put that knowledge to use and win a “major award!” Well, if not a leg lamp, at least some really fabulous prizes. Come out at 7 p.m. for a fun night of trivia at FCC Community House, 847 Hutchison Road in Flossmoor, with host Jamie O’Shea testing your knowledge of the Christmas classics. Entry is $5 cash or check at the door. BYOB, or $5 Christmas cocktails available.
Light Up Trail Walk. Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields, will host the second annual lighted trail walk from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, 14, 19 and 20. Stroll through a winter wonderland where festive lights and the beauty of nature come together to sparkle your holiday season. Hot chocolate and s’mores will be available for purchase.
Saturday, Dec. 14
(Chronicle staff)
Santa Letters. Homewood-Flossmoor High School seniors will partner with senior citizens to help Santa respond to some of his many letters from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wiley’s Grill, 888 Kedzie Ave., in this joint program from the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor and the H-F Park District. More information at hfparks.com.
Gingerbread House Extravaganza. Celebrate the season by making gingerbread houses with peppermints, frosting and gumdrops galore. Houses, candy and treats will be provided. Hosted by Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is closed. No more seats are available.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Skate with Santa. H-F Ice Arena 777 Kedzie Ave., will host a chance to skate with Santa during the Sunday afternoon public skate time from 1 to 3 p.m. Enjoy free hot chocolate and pictures with Santa. Admission is $6, skate rental is $4 and a skate helper is $5.
H-F High Band Winter Concert. The concert will start at 2 p.m. in the Mall Auditorium, South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor.
H-F High Choir Winter Concert. The concert will start at 6 p.m. in the Mall Auditorium, South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Program. Learn all about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and how they are celebrated from a Flossmoor rabbi and representatives from the St. Veronica Kwanzaa Ministry at 6 p.m. in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave.
Professional Women’s Network Sip and Shop. Enjoy holiday cheer while catching up with other professionals and finding a few gifts. The cost is $25 to cover refreshments and light snacks from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gypsy Fix: Just a Happy Little Store, 1056 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor.
Winter Blues. Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, will host an opportunity to deal with colder days, longer nights and the quiet burdens we carry during the winter season. Join with others for a comforting hour of reflection, candlelight, music and prayer.
Thursday, Dec. 19
to visit the neighborhoods on the east side of the railroad tracks
during the 2022 parade.
(Chronicle file photo)
Flossmoor Holiday Lights Parade. Decorated trucks and vehicles from Flossmoor’s Public Works, Fire and Police Departments parade through the village starting at 4:30 p.m., bringing holiday spirit to all. The parade map will be posted at flossmoor.org.
Candlelight Shopping. Homewood Business Association members will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. for a late round of holiday shopping. HBA shops will dim their lights for a shopping experience by candlelight. The evening starts at LaBanque Hotel, 2034 Ridge Road, for wine tasting provided by Family Wine & Liquor and caroling from Bel Canto Choir. HBA Service and Wellness members will be available to help shoppers with additional shopping needs.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Holiday T-Shirt Bar Pop Up. TMC Promos & Gifts, 1056 Sterling Ave., No. 11, in Flossmoor will host a holiday T-Shirt Bar Pop Up event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, and Sunday, Dec. 22. More information at tmcpromos.com.
Monday, Dec. 23
X-mas Movie Double Feature. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host a double feature of Christmas movies “Home Alone” and “ELF” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For kids aged 7 and up. Both movies are rated PG so content may not be suitable for all. Popcorn and refreshments will be available. Registration is appreciated. See flossmoorlibrary.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Worship. Gather at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve at 1707 Cedar Road in Homewood to hear the Christmas story and celebrate that in to our broken world, God sent us a baby to heal our hearts and make all things new. Children will be invited to participate in an “instant” Nativity play.
Christmas Eve Worship. Gather at 10 p.m. at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, for candlelight worship and carols.
Christmas Eve Service. Salem Lutheran Church, 18324 Ashland Ave. in Homewood at 10 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
on the first night of Hanukkah in 2022. (Chronicle file photo)
Community Menorah Lighting. Celebrate Hanukkah with the traditional lighting of the menorah at 5 p.m. each night from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1 in Flossmoor Park, Braeburn Avenue and Flossmoor Park. The village is seeking volunteers to help with the ceremony. Click here to volunteer.
Christmas Day Service. Salem Lutheran Church, 18324 Ashland Ave. in Homewood at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 26
candle in the kinara during the first night of
Kwanzaa in 2022. (Chronicle file photo)
Community Kinara Lighting. Celebrate Kwanzaa with the traditional lighting of the kinara candles at 5 p.m. each night from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 in Flossmoor Park, Braeburn Avenue and Flossmoor Park. The village is seeking volunteers to help with the ceremony. Click here to volunteer.
Monday, Dec. 30
Winter Break Nintendo Switch Tournament. Well, Christmas may be over but winter break is not. Rather than sitting at home, come and play Smash Brothers at the library. Refreshments will be available. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for kids aged 7 and up. Registration is appreciated. Visit flossmoorlibrary.org for more information.
