Friday, Dec. 5
Holiday Lights in Homewood Festival. The annual holiday gathering in downtown Homewood will go from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The market and family activities will be on Ridge Road west of Dixie Highway and on Martin Avenue south of Ridge. The coveted seasonal mug is gingerbread-themed this year. Mugs are available with mulled wine for $10 or without wine for $5. Mug sales are cash only, limit two mugs per person. The H-F Park District community Christmas tree lighting will be in Irwin Park, 1800 block of Ridge Road. Santa will arrive about 7 p.m. to preside over the tree lighting. Kids can visit Santa until 8:45 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Homewood Holiday Market. The market will provide a great opportunity for holiday shopping from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the auditorium at 2010 Chestnut Road.
Pictures with Santa. Santa will be at Thomas Photographic Services, 18676 Dixie Highway in Homewood, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for photos. No appointments are needed. Prices start at $25.
Snow Globe Ornaments. Kids in grades K through 6th can meet in the Homewood Public Library meeting room, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 2 to 3 p.m. to make waterless snow globe ornaments that can be hung up or sat upon a flat surface. Register here.
Holiday Crafts for Kids. H-F Park District will host hours of fun making holiday crafts from 2 to 5 p.m. at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood. Children will create several different crafts to be given as gifts or used for holiday decorations. For kids from 6 to 12 years old. Fee is $35 for park district residents, $45 for non-residents. Register here.
Gingerbread Village Display Tour. Flossmoor resident and gingerbread artist/baker Janet Gustafson gives tours of her annual Gingerbread Village display. Tours are open and free of charge, but registration is required. The display is available for viewing from 4 to 6 p.m. Register here.
South Suburban Humane Society Holiday Market. Volunteers are hosting a holiday market from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, of handmade crafts and a bake sale at the humane society, 21800 Central Ave. in Matteson. The humane society also has a holiday “wish list” for its operations. Donations can be left at the society during business hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Bel Canto 10th Anniversary Choir Concert. The concert will be held in the Mall Auditorium at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor, starting at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $8.95 to $13.16 and can be purchased here.
Cruel Yule Krampus Market. Thornton Distilling Co. will host the fourth annual wicked winter market from noon to 6 p.m. at 400 E. Margaret St. in Thornton. Spooky meets seasonal in 35 vendor shops.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 10
Santa Driveway Visits. Santa will stop by from 5 to 7 p.m. so kids can tell him what they want for Christmas or take a personal photo with him. For H-F residents only. Fee is $20 per house visit. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 11
A Christmas Story. The Drama Group presents “A Christmas Story” as a musical adaptation of the beloved 1966 story by writer Jean Shepard. The show is being presented at 7:30 p.m. at The Drama Group, 330 W. 202nd St. in Chicago Heights. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and members of the military, and $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at BookTix Ticketing, https://dg.booktix.com. There is a service fee for online ticketing. Tickets are also available through the Drama Group box office at 708-754-3444.
Friday, Dec. 12
Kayla and Mara’s Hot Chocolate Stand. Sisters Kayla and Mara Winfree will hold their 22nd annual hot chocolate sale to benefit Toys for Tots from 4 to 8 p.m. at 1323 Hillview Road in Homewood. Donations can be made in cash at the stand or by Venmo at @winfreehotchocolate, by Zelle at 708-539-0514 or by PayPal at @winfreecocoa.
Christmas Movie Trivia Night. Lovers of Christmas movies can showcase their knowledge to use and win a “major award” at the Flossmoor Community Church’s annual Christmas Movie Trivia Night, starting at 7 p.m. at the Flossmoor Community Church Community House, 847 Hutchison Road in Flossmoor. Trivia will be hosted by Jamie O’Shea. Entry is $5 cash or check at the door. BYOB, or $5 Christmas cocktails available. Bring a team or compete as an individual.
A Christmas Story. The Drama Group presents “A Christmas Story” as a musical adaptation of the beloved 1966 story by writer Jean Shepard. The show is being presented at 7:30 p.m. at The Drama Group, 330 W. 202nd St. in Chicago Heights. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and members of the military, and $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at BookTix Ticketing, https://dg.booktix.com. There is a service fee for online ticketing. Tickets are also available through the Drama Group box office at 708-754-3444.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Santa’s Senior Helpers. Homewood-Flossmoor High School seniors will partner with H-F Park District Senior VIPs at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help Santa respond to all the letters he receives. Co-sponsored by the park district and the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor.
Gift Workshop. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host in the meeting room a gift-making craft workshop from 1 to 3 p.m.
A Christmas Story. The Drama Group presents “A Christmas Story” as a musical adaptation of the beloved 1966 story by writer Jean Shepard. The show is being presented at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at The Drama Group, 330 W. 202nd St. in Chicago Heights. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and members of the military, and $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at BookTix Ticketing, https://dg.booktix.com. There is a service fee for online ticketing. Tickets are also available through the Drama Group box office at 708-754-3444.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Governors State University will produce the radio play version of Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway. Tickets are $10.60 to $26.50 and may be purchased by calling 708-235-2222 or visiting CenterTickets.net. Patrons may also make purchases at the box office.
Flossmoor Service League Candlelight Ball. The fundriasing event will be held at Idlewild Country Club. This elegant event features a cocktail hour, dinner, live music, raffles, and both a live and silent auction with many unique items. Funds raised provide grants to several local charities. For details, email [email protected].
Sunday, Dec. 14
Skate With Santa. H-F Park District hosts a public skate time from 1 to 3 p.m. Enjoy free hot chocolate and pictures with Santa. Admission is $6. Skate rental is $4. Skate helper is $5.
SoCoMCM Holiday Gathering and Ornament Sale. From 2 to 4 p.m., Southland Collective of Midcentury Modern will hold a holiday gathering and ornament sale at 2506 Oakwood Drive in Olympia Fields. RSVP encouraged by Dec. 7 to [email protected].
A Christmas Story. The Drama Group presents “A Christmas Story” as a musical adaptation of the beloved 1966 story by writer Jean Shepard. The show is being presented at 2 p.m. at The Drama Group, 330 W. 202nd St. in Chicago Heights. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and members of the military, and $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at BookTix Ticketing, https://dg.booktix.com. There is a service fee for online ticketing. Tickets are also available through the Drama Group box office at 708-754-3444.
Sunday, Dec. 14, through Sunday, Dec. 21
Community Menorah Lighting. Celebrate Hanukkah at 5 p.m. each night in front of Park Place in Flossmoor Park, Flossmoor Road and Braeburn Avenue. Local individuals or families lead in Hanukkah ceremonies. Anyone wishing to be a candle lighter can sign up at Flossmoor.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Pup Pics With St. Nick. H-F Park District will host a chance for local canines to get their photo taken with St. Nick from 5 from 7 p.m. in Park Place at Flossmoor Park, Flossmoor Road and Braeburn Avenue. Fee is $10 per resident dog.
Ho-Ho-Ho-Flo Holiday Lights Ride. GoodSpeed Cycle will host its annual slow-and-social community bike tour of Homewood and Flossmoor’s holiday lights and decorations. The approximately seven-mile ride goes at a family-friendly pace from 6:30 to 8 p.m. starting at the shop, 2125 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. Pre-ride hot chocolate and cookies at 5 p.m. Ride fee is a minimum $5 donation per person to Homewood’s domestic violence prevention non-profit Anew. Donate online at bit.ly/4ptCDOD or just bring cash.
Thursday, Dec. 18
Flossmoor Holiday Lights Parade. The annual parade of decorated police, fire and public works vehicles winds through the village starting at 4:30 p.m. The route map is available at flossmoor.org.
Thursday, Dec. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 21
Light Up Trail Walk. Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center will host from 6 to 8 p.m. a stroll through decorated nature trails. Hot chocolate and s’mores are included in the ticket price. Early bird fee is $4 until Dec. 12. After that, $5 cash only at the door. Register here.
Friday, Dec. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 1
Community Kinara Lighting. Celebrate Kwanzaa at 5 p.m. in front of Park Place in Flossmoor Park, Flossmoor Road and Braeburn Avenue. Local individuals or families lead in the Kwanzaa ceremony each night of the observance. Anyone wishing to serve as a candle lighter can sign up at flossmoor.org.
Past
Tuesday, Dec. 2
You Matter 2 Holiday Happy Hour Toy Drive. You Matter 2 plans an evening of community, holiday cheer and giving back from 5 to 8 p.m. at Vintrendi Wine Company, 3408 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields. Enjoy wine, light bites and great company while helping us reach our Discover Their Path campaign goal of $5,000 to support youth empowerment, with every dollar matched by Dot Foods. Vintrendi Wine Company will generously donate 15% of all bar and bottle sales to the campaign. Suggested donation: $20 or a new, unwrapped toy for our Adopt-A-Family program to help spread holiday joy to families in need. Please RSVP at bit.ly/49Aqnad. Must be 21 or over to attend.
