Holiday Happenings
Holiday events you don’t want to miss
1850s-Style Community Carol Sing Dec 6, 6-7pm Sat. Music, worship, carol sing w/ special guests Abraham and Mary Lincoln, played by Klein Fritz and Pam Brown. Also featuring Illinois Symphony Brass Ensemble, Capital Chamber Singers, First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir, Prairie Aires, Becky Kemp. Free to public. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528- 4311.
Alternative Holiday Fair Dec 5-6, 4-8pm Fri; 7:30am-1pm Sat. Shop fair trade goods from around the world and visit with various peace and justice community agencies. International foods will be served for Friday supper, Saturday lunch and a bake sale. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 217-523-5212.
Appalachian Christmas Quartet Dec 5, 7-8pm Fri. Traditional Christmas music on a variety of Appalachian instruments. Free to public. West Side Christian Church, 2850 Cider Mill Lane, 793-2800.
Caroling at the Carillon Dec 14, 4:30-5pm. Join carillonneur Robin Austin for holiday carols, hot cocoa and cookies around a roaring bonfi re. Special visit with Santa. Free. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.
Christmas Open House Dec 7, 2-4pm Sun. 13 beautifully decorated trees, family-friendly activities, holiday cookies and punch. Free. Illinois Presbyterian Home, 2005 W. Lawrence, 546- 5622.
Christmas Show Dec 10, 7-8pm Wed. Holiday program featuring various musical styles by three choirs: Mixed Chorus, Premiere and Encore. No tickets; free will offering will be taken. 217- 787-1595. SHG Dominican Hall Theatre, 1200 W. Washington.
Drive-thru Nativity Scene Dec 6, 5:30-8:30pm Sat. Seven scenes with live actors depict the events surrounding the birth of the Messiah. Free to public. Living Faith Baptist Church, 7575 West Outer Road, Sherman.
First Congregational UCC Cookie Walk Dec 6, 8-11am Sat. Choose from a variety of cookies and candies. First Congregational Church, 2100 Bates Ave, (217) 546-7170.
Franciscan Nativity Festival Dec 5-7, 12-7pm Fri, 12-4pm Sat-Sun. Free display of more than 100 Nativity Sets and tour of St. Francis of Assisi Church on the grounds of St. Francis Convent. Chiara Center, 4875 LaVerna Road, 523-0901.
Handmade for the Holidays Dec 6-7, 9am-5pm Sat, 12-4pm Sun. Illinois artisans display their made-in-Illinois media and crafts. Second fl oor galleries will be open. Free to public. 217-782-5949. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.
Historic Christmas at the Lindsay Home Dec 13, 1-4pm Sat. Candle-lit tour of Lindsay home decked out for the holidays. Make your own Christmas ornament enjoy Christmas cookies, share holiday greetings with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln 2-3pm, Old State Capitol Chorale 3-4pm. Free to public. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901.
Holiday Lights at the Zoo Dec 5-23, 5-8pm Mon- Sun. Walking tour of light displays that transform the zoo into a winter Wonderland. Nightly visits with Santa. Admission is $3.50 per adult and $2.25 per child or bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots to get in free of charge. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.
Kleiner Christkindlmarkt Christmas Market Dec 6, 9am-3pm Sat. Various handmade items, musical attractions, fi re-pit, Santa Claus and more. 217-793-0139. Engel’s on Edwards, 552 S. MacArthur, 217-744-0607.
Light Up The Park Dec 5-6, 12-13, 6pm Fri-Sat. Holiday drive-through display featuring lights and holiday cheer. Chatham Community Park, 731 S. Main St., Chatham.
Pancakes, Paws & Santa Claus Dec 6, 8:30-10:30am Sat. Breakfast, photos with Santa. See zoo animals up close. $12 per adult, $10 per child for residents; $14.50 per adult, $12.50 per child for non-residents. Reservations required, 585-1821. Lincoln Greens Golf Course, 700 E. Lake Shore Dr., 786-4111.
Santa House Dec 6-21, 5-8pm Mon-Fri; 12- 5pm Sat-Sun. Santa will visit the North side of Springfi eld, at the Santa House in front of the Robin Roberts Stadium. He will be available for photos (free with your camera or $5 each with ours). Admission is free. Santa House, 1415 North Grand Ave. 217-753-0700.
Sing-A-Long Holiday Concert Dec 7, 6:30-8pm Sun. 15th annual sing-a-long concert featuring Mark Gifford, Damien Kaplan, Joe Kath, Debbie Ross, Elizabeth Jones and guests. Free to public. 217-787-3445. Parkway Christian Church, 2700 Lindbergh Blvd.
Springfield Figure Skating Club Holiday Exhibition Dec 7, 3-4pm Sun. Springfi eld Figure Skating Club holiday performances, followed by free, open skate for those who bring 2 canned goods for food drive. Free to public. 217-553-7708. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.
Springfield Jaycees Annual Christmas Parade Dec 6, 7:30-8:30pm Sat. Annual parade lights up downtown Springfi eld. Free. Downtown Springfield.
St. Anthony’s Greek Church Holly Fair Bake Sale Dec 6, 10am-4pm Sat. Food and bake sale. Free admission. St. Anthony’s Hellenic Orthodox Church, 1600 S. Glenwood Ave., 217-522-7010. Tree of Lights Dec 13, 12-5:30pm Sat. Honor a special person or pet at tree lighting ceremony at 5:30. Punch, cookies and PowerPoint presentation during day. $5 per light. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 544-7387.
Winter Holiday Floral Show Dec 6-21, 12-4pm M-F, Sat- Sun 12-5pm. The Conservatory will be fi lled with Poinsettias amidst the tropical collection and decorated evergreens for a stunning display. This show is an annual favorite. Admission is free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116. Wreaths Across America Dec 13, 11am-12pm Sat. Ceremony to decorate graves at Camp Butler National Cemetary. Hosted by local Wreaths Across America chapter. Wreaths will stay up for one month. Donations. 217-415-6464. Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Road, 492-4070.
