Holiday Happenings

17th Annual Cookie Walk

Dec 10, 8:30am-12pm Sat. Cookie walk and holiday shopping. Free admission; cookies sold per pound. St. John Vianney Church Activity Center, 902 Saint Johns Dr., Sherman.

A Christmas Carol

Dec 4, 3pm Sun. Special performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, as performed in New York City in 1857. Live instrumental music, Spoon River Anthology readings and more before 3pm performance. Museum admission. PresidentLincoln. illinois.gov. 217-558-8844. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782-5764.

A Historic Christmas

Dec 10, 1-5pm Sat. Holiday decorations, live Christmas music, crafts, meet Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, more. Free. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

A Storybook Christmas

Dec 2-3, 5-9pm Fri, 8am-2pm Sat. Beloved characters from Christmas stories fi ll the streets of Hillsboro. Christmas parade at 6pm Friday, tree lightning at 7pm Friday, live entertainment, hot food and drinks, more. Hosted by Imagine Hillsboro. Free. imaginehillsboro.org. 217-313-9962. Downtown Hillsboro.

Annual Cookie Walk

Dec 3, 8-11am Sat. $6 per pound. First Congregational Church, 2100 Bates Ave., 546-7170.

Arts and Crafts Fair

Dec 3, 10am-3pm Sat. Featuring handmade items. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Busy Elves

Dec 10, 10-11:30am Sat. Ages 3-5 play games, create a Christmas craft and make a treat. Pre-registration: $25 resident, $35 non. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park Pavilion, 1400 Williams Blvd, 544-1751.

Candlelight Christmas Tours

Dec 3, 12-4pm Sat. Candlelit tours, period decorations and other entertainment. Free admission. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 492-5929.

Caring Santa

Dec 4, 8-9am Sun. A carefully managed Santa photo experience for children with special needs and their families. Free. Registration, simon.com/caringsanta. 217-787-0110. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 787-8560.

Christmas Auction

Dec 10, 5pm Sat. Food available for purchase. Clementine Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St., 638-1648.

Christmas Carols

Dec 3, 6-7pm Sat. Join Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, as portrayed by Fritz Klein and Pam Brown, for special music, worship and a carol sing. Free. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

Clayville Christmas

Dec 3, 10am-4pm Sat. Santa, face painting, children’s store, caroling groups starting at noon. Donations accepted. clayville.org. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 572-4984.

Cookie Walk

Dec 3, 9am-12pm Sat. Cookie decorating for kids, cookies for purchase, more. 217-679-1979. Cotton Hill United Methodist Church, 5931 N. Cotton Hill Road, 529-2736.

Franciscan Nativity Festival

Dec 2-4, 2-7pm Fri, 12-4 pm Sat-Sun. Featuring more than 100 Nativity Sets, many of which are new entries. Free. chiaracenter.org. Chiara Center, 4875

LaVerna Road, 523-0901.

Fresh Evergreen Wreath Making

Dec 3, 9am-12pm, 1:30-4:30pm Sat. Bring pruning shears and custom decor for fi nishing wreaths. Evergreen material, wire frames and simple ribbons supplied. $30 members, $35 non. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.

Governor Duncan Christmas Gala

Dec 6, 5:30-10pm Tue. Social hour, hors d’oeuvres, three-course seasonal meal, live auction, more. $40. jacksonvilleil.org. 217-243- 5678. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St., Jacksonville.

Holiday Jazz

Dec 10, 7:30pm Sat. Eighth annual holiday concert by the Millikin University Faculty Jazz Sextet. $15-25 adults, $5 schoolage kids. kirklandfi nearts.com.

Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Holiday Lights at the Zoo

Dec 2, 4-11, 5-8pm. See the zoo as a winter wonderland. Thousands of lights, light displays, Santa Claus, hot chocolate, plus karaoke and bonfi res on Saturdays. $3.75 adults, $2.50 children; free with Toys for Tots donation. springfi eldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.

Holly Fair Greek Bake Sale

Dec 3, 10am-4pm Sat. Free admission. St. Anthony’s Hellenic Orthodox Church, 1600 S. Glenwood Ave., 522-7010.

Iles House Candlelight Tours

Dec 9, 5-8pm Fri. 1940’s-style Christmas features boughs and other natural materials; each room is decorated in the style of its earliest periods. No charge. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 492-5929.

Live Nativity

Dec 9-10, 7-9pm Fri-Sat. Drivethough nativity scene features holiday lights, choirs of angels, beautiful displays, period-dressed actors, more. Free. oursaviorschurch.org. Our Savior’s Church and School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

Pancakes, Paws and Santa Claus

Dec 3, 8:30-10:30am Sat. Enjoy breakfast alongside a visit with Santa and the zoo’s animals. Preregistration required. Residents:

$12 adults, $10 children. Non: $13 adult, $11 child. springfi eldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.

Photos with Santa

Dec 10, 12-14, 5-8pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun. Meet and have photos taken with Santa. Free. $5 for photo with magnetic frame. springfi eldparks.org. Robin Roberts Stadium, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., 753-0700.

Pilot Club Holiday Home Tour and Tea

Dec 4, 1-5pm Sun. Tour beautifully decorated homes sponsored by the International Pilot Club of Jacksonville. $15. jacksonvilleil.org. Jacksonville.

Polar Express Experience

Dec 2-4, 6pm Fri-Sun. Wear pajamas and enjoy hot chocolate, a cookie and the 2004 fi lm The Polar Express. Visits with St. Nick to follow movie. Tickets. arleetheater.com. Arlee Theater, 139 S. Main St., Mason City, 482- 9999.

Reindeer Games

Dec 3, 10am-5:30pm Sat. Second annual Ski Ball Pub Crawl supporting Children’s Miracle Network: St. John’s Hospital and the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Ages 21+. $30 per team of two. 217-341-2969. Downtown Springfi eld.

Southeast Holiday Bazaar

Dec 10, 10am-3pm Sat. Arts, crafts, vendors and live entertainment from area middle schools, the Southeast Flute Choir, Jazz Band and more. 217-454- 7875. Southeast High School, 2350 E. Ash.

Springfield Lutheran High School Cookie Walk

Dec 10, 8-12am Sat. Homemade cookies, candy and fudge. 217- 546-6363. Lutheran High School, 3500 W. Washington St.

Taylorville 25th Annual Home Tour

Dec 2-3, 10am-8pm Fri, 10am- 4pm Sat. Tour six private homes celebrating the style of Downtown Abbey, plus Christmas bazaars and cookie sales around town. Presented by the Taylorville Tourism Council. Information and tickets, 824-9447.Taylorville.

Vespers

Dec 3-4, 2pm Sat, 7:30pm Sun. More than 300 musicians star in an evening of carols, choirs and candlelight. $12 adults, $8 seniors and children. kirklandfi nearts.com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Village Christmas Bazaar

Dec 3, 9am-1pm Sat. Vendors, bake sale, more. Free admission. Sherman United Methodist Church, 2336 E. Andrew Road, Sherman, 496-2338.

Winter Art Sale

Dec 1-2, 10am-2pm Thu-Fri. Wide variety of original artwork such as ceramics, fi ne art and more created by LLCC students during the fall semester. llccfoundation. org/trutter-museum. 217-786- 2785. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Winter Holiday Floral Show

Dec 3-6, 10-14, 12-4 Mon-Fri, 12-5 Sat-Sun. Stunning display of poinsettias, tropical plants and decorated evergreens. Free. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.

Books & Authors

Coffee House Writing Rituals

Dec 9, 9:30-11:30am Fri. Social hour meet and greet designed to cultivate inspiration for writers. Second and third Fridays of month. $5-10 donation. 217-899- 5247. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 391-7628.

Theater & Comedy

Comedian Andy Beningo

Dec 2-3, 8-9:30pm Fri-Sat. A clever, clean comic. Named “Best Comedian” by the Detroit Metro Times and Hour Detroit magazine. $12.50 cash only at club, prepay online. mclimits.com. 217-482- 5233. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Mike Pace

Dec 2-3, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 9:30pm Sat. Relatable comic has been seen on HBO and Comedy Central. $14, $16. donniebscomedyclub. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian Ryan Singer

Dec 9-10, 8-9:30pm Fri-Sat. Selected by LA Weekly as one of the “10 LA Comics to Watch” in 2014. Frequent guest on “WTF with Marc Maron Podcast” and the “Bob and Tom Show.” $15 cash only at club or prepay online. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Dec 9-10, 6pm Fri-Sat. Theatre 7 performs the stage-play adaptation of Frank Capra’s iconic holiday classic fi lm. Limited seating; advance tickets required by Dec 7. $45 includes dinner and performance. The Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. Decatur, 429-4200.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dec 2, 4-10, 7:30pm. Presented by Playhouse on the Square. Directed by Laurie McCoy and Kim Shafer. $10 adults, $5 kids. playhouseonthesquare.net. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 491- 3977.

The Music Man Jr.

Dec 2-4, 9-11, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Iconic musical follows fasttalking traveling salesman Harold Hill. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. Admission. hcfta. org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Music: General Events

A Ringing Christmas

Dec 4, 4-5:30pm Sun. Community handbell ensemble Bells in Motions presents their annual Christmas concert. Directed by KC Congdon. $15. bellsinmotion.org. 217-522- 3220. Faith Lutheran Church, 1385 W. Walnut St., Jacksonville, 245-8919.

A Ringing Christmas

Dec 3, 7-8:30pm Sat. Community handbell ensemble Bells in Motions presents their annual Christmas concert. Directed by KC Congdon. $15. bellsinmotion.org. 217-522- 3220. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636- 8463.

Elvis Rock ‘n’ Remember Christmas Show

Dec 2, 8pm Fri. Christmas show by former top-ten fi nalist on “America’s Got Talent” Joseph Hall. $25-30. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Handel’s Messiah

Dec 10, 7:30-9:30pm Sat. Springfi eld Choral Society performs Handel’s Messiah with orchestra. $15. springfi eldchoralsociety.org. 217-787-4868. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 815 S. Sixth St., 522-3342.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Chorale

Dec 3, 3-6pm Sat. Popular holiday concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Chorale plus the Jacksonville High School Concert Choir. jaxsym.com. 217-243-5678. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 245- 3000.

Jennifer Parker-Heimlich and Devin Kemp

Dec 7, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Free lunchtime concert. Bring your own lunch or purchase at door for $5. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

John Berry

Dec 7, 7-10pm Wed. O’ Holy Night Tour. Celebrating 20 years of Christmas. wjvofm.com. 217-245-5119. MacMurray College Annie Merner Chapel, College Avenue and Clay Street, Jacksonville.

Journey Through the 80s

Dec 2-3, 7:30pm Fri-Sat.

The LC Chorale and Chamber Choir along with soloists and a live band perform music from the 80s, ranging from Mozart to Michael Jackson and more. $5 general admission, $1 students. Lincoln College, 300 E. Keokuk (Lincoln building), Lincoln, 855- 328-6392.

LLCC Big Band Recital

Dec 5, 7pm Mon. LLCC Big Band, directed by Jane Hartman, performs arrangements of big bands such as Count Basie and Woody Herman. Free. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

LOLC Cabaret and Dinner

Dec 2-3, 6-8:30pm Fri-Sat. Dinner and cabaret show featuring holiday, sacred and winter favorites. Tickets. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 1022 New City Road, Chatham, 622-7953.

Lutheran High School Madrigal Dinner

Dec 3-4, 6:30-8:30pm Sat, 5-8pm Sun. An evening of Renaissance and general Christmas music, a skit by the jesters and a full meal. $12 seniors, students; $15 adults. 217-546-6363. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787- 2323.

Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony Winter Concert

Dec 1, 7-8pm Thu. Winter concert directed by Diane Turek and Jean Tweet features SVYS’s Junior Strings, Preparatory Orchestra and Sinfonia Orchestra. $10 adults, $5 students, free to ages 12 and under. svys.org. 217-753-8000. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

There’s a Song in the Air

Dec 4, 4pm Sun. Christmas concert by the Capital City Men’s Chorus. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

Dance

The Nutcracker

Dec 10-11, 2-4pm Sat-Sun. Springfi eld Ballet Company’s 42nd annual production of the holiday classic. Featuring elaborate scenery, colorful costumes, exquisite dancing and beautiful music. $18- 30. springfi eldballetco.org. 217-544-1967. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Art & Architecture

Be Charmed Downtown and Meet the Artists

Dec 2, 5-8pm Fri. Meet the holiday decor artists. studioon6thart.com. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 522-8006.

Fash Bash

Dec 2-3, 6-9pm Fri-Sat. Artwork relating to a fashion theme, runway walk at 7pm on Friday, artwork by Pharmacy artists added on Saturday, and more. Music and video by Timothy Donovan Russell. Free. pharmacygallery.com. The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, 711 S. 5th St., 801-810-9278.

Moodscapes

Dec 1-14, 11:30am Fri-Mon, 6pm Sat. New photography exhibition by David Brodsky, award-winning graphic designer and photographer. Free. brodskyphotoart.com. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St., 544- 1793.

Studio Hop

Dec 2, 6-9pm Fri. Create an enameled wine topper, an intaglio Italian print and make your own tempera paint for fresco secco. 21+ only. $40. Registration required. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Film & Television

Life and Debt

Dec 2, 7-8:30pm Fri. Showing of fi nal fi lm in the Foreign and Independent Film Series. Free. uis.edu. 217-206- 4703. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

Miss Representation

Dec 6, 6-8pm Tue. Documentary depicts how women are portrayed in American media and how this affects their position in society. Viewing followed by discussion. Hosted by LLCC’s Phi Theta Kappa. llcc. edu. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Through a Different Lens Film Series

Dec 8, 6-9pm Thu. Unique fi lms and discussion. Free. llccfoundation.org. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Children’s Corner

Junior Naturalists

Dec 3, 9am-12pm Sat. Children ages 5-8 years explore the Garden while focusing on a different topic each month. All three sessions: $40 members, $45 non. Individual sessions: $15 members, $18 non. Registration. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Nature

Milkweeds and Monarchs

Dec 8, 6:30-8pm Thu. Longterm trends in Midwestern milkweeds and their relevance for Monarchs presented by Greg Spyreas. Hosted by the Central Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Free. ill-inps.org. 217-971-1615. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544- 2473.

Bulletin Board

Angel of Hope Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony

Dec 6, 7pm Tue. Ceremony at Angel of Hope statue for families to honor and remember children they’ve lost. Free. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116. History

Christmas at the Front

Dec 10, 4-8pm Sat. Military Museum living historians discuss how soldiers celebrated Christmas during four confl icts. Plus holiday carols by local choirs, hot chocolate, cider, cookies and more. Free. il.ngb. army.mil/museum. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, 761-3910.

Health

Cancer Companions

Dec 5, 6:30-8pm Mon. Nineweek session hosted by Bringing Hope to the Journey, a ministry to current or former cancer patients, their loved ones, friends and co-workers. oursaviorschurch.org. Our Savior’s Church and School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

Men’s Health Night

Dec 7, 5-8pm Wed. Kevin McVary, MD, on the latest men’s health information plus health screenings and a performance by two-time cancer survivor and comedian Mack Dryden. Registration, 545-7493. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 545-0798.

Faith & Philosophy

The Hidden Meanings of Safety Pins

Dec 4, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presentation by Rev. Martin Woulfe on safety pins used as a symbol. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness

Frostbite Festival 2M and 10M

Dec 4, 9am Sun. Choose from 2-mile or 10-mile out-and-back course. Registration, srrc.net. FitClub West, 2811 W. Lawrence Ave., 787-1111.

JL Memorial 8K Challenge

Dec 10, 8-10am Sat. 8K run/ walk to honor and remember the sacrifi ces of our veterans. Registration, jlm8kchallenge. com. The Rail Golf Course, 1400 South Club House Dr., Springfi eld.

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More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.

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