Holiday events

Each week throughout the season, find fun holiday activities here. Also, see The Calendar page 29 for more holiday happenings.

ONGOING

Old Capitol Holiday Walks Dec 06, 08, 12, 15, 19, 22, 5-8pm Wed, 10am-2pm Sat, Wednesdays and Saturdays until Christmas, plus Dec. 6, unique shopping and dining, entertainment, horse-drawn trolley rides, Santa House and more. Downtown Springfi eld. 544-1723.

Holiday Hall Exhibition and Sale Through Dec 17, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Unique exhibition featuring more than 45 regional artists. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery Children’s Holiday Store Through Dec 23, 4-8pm Tue-Fri, 10am-5:30pm Sat, 12-5pm Sun. Kids shop with help of volunteers. Closed Mondays. Holiday Store, 3325 Robbins Road, 217-525-6800.

Holiday at the Mall Until Christmas Eve, Santa, train rides (center court), holiday concerts (food court). Family Service Center Tree of Wishes (lower level outside Sears). White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave. 787-8560.

Xmas ARTicles Gift Shop Through Dec 28, 8:30am- 4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10-4pm Sat-Sun, Original art and fi ne crafts from over 50 artists. (Open 10am-2pm Christmas Eve.), Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Winter Holiday Floral Show Dec 01-09, 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun, Through Dec. 23, Conservatory fi lled with poinsettias among the tropical collection for a stunning holiday display. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.

Holiday Lights at the Zoo Dec 07- Dec 23, 5-8pm, Thousands of lights and displays. Bring new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, get in free. Admission. 217-585- 1821 Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Drive.

Dana-Thomas House Holiday Tours Through Jan. 2013, 9am- 4pm Wed-Sun, See famous Springfi eld landmark decorated for the holidays. Suggested donations $10, $15 family. Closed Christmas Day. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776.

DECEMBER

DSI Santa House Dec 06, 12, 19, 5-8pm and Dec. 08, 15, 22, 10am-2pm, Free photo and candy cane. Old State Capitol Plaza, Between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams. 544-1723.

Holiday Walks and Around the World Reception Dec 06, 6-8pm, Free night of wonders. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785- 7960.

Angel of Hope Ceremony Dec 06, 7pm, Public invited to free candlelight ceremony that includes reading of children’s names on Memorial Wall. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.

Holiday Exhibit Dec 07, 5-8pm, Free admission to the public, and snacks available. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-2727.

Victorian Christmas Gaslight Tea Dec 07, 6pm, Creative and delicious array of savory delicacies. Register by Dec. 3. $25. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth Street, 217-523-2631.

Christmas in Virginia Dec 07-08, Gingerbread house making, craft and food vendors, Santa Claus parade and visits, kids games and more. 452- 7786. Virginia town square.

Carlinville Christmas Market Dec 07-09, 3-9pm Fri, 9am- 8pm Sat, 11am-3pm, Small town holiday magic, heated tents, arts, crafts, caroling, entertainment, trolley tours, Santa. $1 admission to heated arts/crafts tents. 854-3552. Carlinville Square, Carlinville.

White Christmas Nov 07-09, 14-16, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfi eld Theatre Centre presents. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Dec 07-09, 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sun, LLCC Theatre’s newly adapted version. $12. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

The Santaland Diaries Dec 07-09, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Comedy about out-of-work actor who becomes Macy’s elf to pay holiday bills. Mature audiences. $17-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth Street, 217-523-2787.

Cookie Walk Dec 08, 8am-12pm, Come early for best selection of homemade cookies and candy. Douglas United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas Avenue.

Breakfast with Santa Dec 08, 9am-12pm, Valley of Springfi eld Scottish Rite hosts free to families attending. Donations for Learning Center for Dyslexia accepted. Springfi eld Masonic Center, 1020 Rickard Road, 217-793- 7728.

Holiday Decorating Seminars Dec 08 and 15, 10am, Dec. 8 Seminar is Holiday Porch Décor Make and Take. $30, RSVP by phone by Dec. 7. Dec. 15 is free seminar, Holiday Tablescapes. GreenView Nursery, 3000 W. Jefferson, 217-787-4700.

Jingle, Jingle all the Way Dec 08, 10-11:30am, Three to 5-year-olds have fun making music with bells, and craft and yummy treat. Class limit. Register by phone. Pavilion. $25-$35. 753-6224. Washington Park, South Grand and MacArthur, 217-753-6225.

Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec 08, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, Every child receives free stuffed animal. Free cookies, candy and hot chocolate. Holiday music 12-2 p.m. Goodwill, 2001 Wabash Ave., 217-789-7496.

Christmas Open House Dec 08, 11am-4pm, Kevin Purcell performs Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales at 2 p.m. Seasonal music, refreshments. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth Street, 217-524-0901.

Meet Santa at Scheels Dec 08, 11am-6pm, Parents, bring your camera to capture this special moment. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217- 726-6330.

Sugar Plum Tea Party Dec 08, 12pm, Lunch, character meet-and-greet, ticket to 2 p.m. performance of SBC’s The Nutcracker and craft activities. $35. Reservations 494-8059. Panther Creek Country Club, 3001 Panther Creek Drive, 546- 4431.

The Nutcracker Dec 08-09, 2pm and 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfi eld Ballet Company’s production of holiday classic with a Springfi eld-area cast. $26-$16. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 544-1967.

Pleasant Plains HS Madrigal Singers Dec 08-09, 6pm Sat, 1pm Sun, Madrigal music and world Christmas carols in 16th century atmosphere. $20 Sat. dinner, $14 Sun. tea. Pleasant Plains High School, 2000 Championship Drive, Pleasant Plains, 626-1044.

Christmas House Tour Dec 09, 1-5pm, Ladies of The Methodist Church in Girard host at various homes. Girard.

The Joy of Christmas Dec 09, 4pm, The Capital City Men’s Chorus. $10. 622-9917. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave. W.

A Gift of Music for Christmas Dec 09, 4pm, The Westminster Choir; Dale Thomas Rogers, organist; Dee Dee Gain, accompanist; Ann Collins, violin; The Walnuts. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217-522-4415.

Pet Photo with Santa Dec 09, 6pm, After mall closes.

All pets must enter through ITT entrance and be on a leash. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-8560.

Advent Dinner and Devotions Dec 12, 19, 6pm, Public invited to share dinner and the joy of the season. 522-3965. Grace Lutheran Church, 714 East Capitol Ave., 217-891-1680.

Debbie Eddy Flute Studio Performance Dec 12, 6pm, Free performance during Holiday Walk. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

Martina McBride Dec 12, 7-9pm, Joy of Christmas: favorite Christmas classics by CMA seven-time Female Vocalist of the Year. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Holiday Handmade Gifts Dec 13, 10am-12pm, Preschool age and their grown-ups for learning, art projects and more. $40. Register in advance online. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

Holiday Stories with Santa Dec 14, 5:30-7:30pm, Family event with holiday crafts, games and stories. Wear your holiday pajamas. $10 per family by Dec. 12, 525-1825. Underground garage available until 9 p.m. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785- 7960.

Messiah: Springfield Choral Society Dec 14-15, 7:30pm, authentic Baroque version of Handel’s Messiah, with orchestra. $15. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 815 S. Sixth Street, 787-4868.

Breakfast with Santa Dec 15, Visit Santa, enjoy brunch and listen to seasonal music. $10 family of four. Tickets, 415-7699. The Maple Club, 120 S. McLean, Lincoln.

Holiday Farmers Market Dec 15, 9am-1pm, Everything you need to make your most scrumptious holiday dinner ever. Artisan’s Building. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 528-1563.

Holiday Parade Dec 15, 6:30pm, Catch the spirit as over 90 units thrill onlookers during the Ansar Shrine/Springfi eld Jaycees parade. Downtown Springfi eld. 691-7460.