Holiday Happenings

Alternative Holiday Fair Dec 1-2, 4-8pm Fri, 8am-2pm Sat. Featuring fair-trade goods made by artisans in developing countries, plus bake sale, international food and more. Free. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Annual Nativity Tour Nov 26, 1-4pm Sun. Largest nativity tour in Illinois features more than 500 displays plus live music and refreshments. Free. decaturfbc.com. First Baptist Church Decatur, 1320 Arbor Dr., Decatur, 875-8034.

Chatham Light Up the Park Holiday Display Nov 25, 6-9pm Sat. Fridays and Saturdays. Drive-through display. 416- 1142. Chatham Community Park, 731 S. Main St., Chatham.

Christmas at Sugar Creek Nov 25, 10am-3pm Sat. Featuring 60 vendors, lunch, bake sale, used book and CD sale and more. Free admission. 725-4359. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 1022 New City Road, Chatham, 622-7953.

Christmas in the Country Nov 25, 8am-3pm Sat. 32nd annual craft tour featuring 20 locations in Athens, Cantrall and the surrounding area. Maps available at local businesses. 691-0504. Athens Community, Athens.

Cocoa and Cookies with Santa Dec 1, 6-8pm Fri. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies with Santa, an edible science project and a story read by a local celebrity. Preregistration. $2 members, $8 non. Children’s Museum of Illinois, 55 South Country Club Road, 423-KIDS. Country Christmas Dec 1-2, Fri-Sat. Hours vary. Two-day holiday extravaganza features Christmas vendors, hall of trees, tree-lighting ceremony, Polar Express train, lighted Christmas parade, visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, and much more. Multiple locations. Virden.

Cranberry Christmas Dec 1-2, 5-8pm Fri, 9am-3pm Sat. Holiday craft show featuring more than 35 vendors. 764-3505. Blue Mound Civic Center, 551 N. Lewis St., Blue Mound, 692-2777.

Downtown Holiday Walks Nov 25, 29, Dec 1, 5-8pm.

Featuring visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, History Comes Alive programs, shopping and more. Sat and Wed evenings from Nov 25-Dec 23. downtownspringfi eld.org. Downtown Springfi eld.

Franciscan Nativity Festival Dec 1-3, 2-7pm Fri, 12-4pm Sat-Sun. Featuring more than 100 Nativity sets, many which are new entries. Free. chiaracenter.org. Chiara Center, 4875 LaVerna Road, 523-0901.

Fun Frosty Friday Nov 24, 10am-2pm Fri. Featuring a roving magician, face painting, balloon art, life-size Candy Land adventure, visits with Santa, games and more. Free. illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Holidays at the White House Nov 24-Jan 7. 10am-5pm Sun-Wed. Exhibition depicts how past presidents and their loved ones enjoyed the holidays in the White House. On display through Jan 7. illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782-5764.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Dec 1-2, 7pm Fri-Sat. Holiday concert presented by the Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus. $10, $17, $18. hcfta. org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Light a Candle of Love Nov 26, 2-4pm Sun. A message of hope and encouragement regarding coping with the recent death of a loved one during the holidays. Bring a small, framed photo of your loved one to display on the memory table. Free. staabfuneralhomes. com. 528-6461. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Live Reindeer Nov 24, 11am-6pm Fri. See live reindeer during an indoor viewing. Free. experience. scheels.com. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

Live Window Displays and Kids’ Crafts Nov 29, 5-8pm Wed. Free. Urban Sassafras, 104 N. Sixth St., 210- 2303. 

Santa and His Live Reindeer Nov 26, 10am-4pm Sun. Holiday photos with Santa and his live reindeer. Buchheit of Jacksonville, 2200 W. Morton Ave., Jacksonville, 245-4440.

Santa’s House Nov 24-26, Dec 1-3. Hours vary. Photos with Santa for children ages 10 and under. BYO camera. Santa line is outside; dress warmly. Free. Jacksonville Square, 200 E. State, Jacksonville.

Small Business Saturday Nov 25, 12pm Sat. Enjoy visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, History Comes Alive programs, shopping and more. downtownspringfi eld.org. Downtown Springfi eld.

Snow Globe Dec 1, 7:30pm Fri. Holiday music from around the globe featuring the UIS Flute Choir, UIS Camerata and UIS Band. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 206-6160.

The Polar Express Nov 24-26, Dec 1-3. Read along with the story as the train makes its round-trip journey to the North Pole. mrym.org. Monticello Railroad Museum, 992 Iron Horse Place, Monticello, 762-9011.

Vintage Carriage Rides Nov 25, Dec 1, 5-8pm. Enjoy a charming ride for 4-6 people in a horse-drawn carriage, decorated for the holiday season. Reservations required. $60 per 30-minute ride. redgatefarmllc.com. 501-4234. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.

Winter Art Sale Nov 30, Dec 1, 10am-2pm Thu-Fri. Featuring one-of a-kind student-created art. Complimentary coffee and cookies. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Fairs & Festivals

Memorial’s Festival of Trees Nov 23-26, 4-8pm Thu, 10am- 8pm Fri-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun. Nine-day holiday event featuring more than 200 artistically decorated trees and wreaths; Little Elves Workshop, Snapshots with Santa, live entertainment and more. $5 adults, $3 ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. MemorialsFestivalofTrees. com. 788-4301. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 725-8047.

Books & Authors

Artful Readers Book Club Discussion Nov 29, 7-8:30pm Wed. Casual, engaging literary discussion for ages 21+ around Dawn Tripp’s Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O’Keefe. Registration. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Theater & Comedy

Avenue Q Dec 1-3. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. Directed by Mac Warren. springfi eldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Comedian Blind Stein Nov 24-25, 7:30pm Fri- Sat, 9:30pm Sat. A talented, up-and-coming comic. $14, $16. donniebs.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Maurice Shaw Nov 25, 8pm Sat. Presented by Belly Laffs Comedy. Show also features Joe Lancey. Hosted by Buddah Eskew. $10 cash. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

Motown The Musical Nov 29-30, 7:30pm Wed- Thu. Musical highlights Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Music: General Events

Carrollton Dec 1, 7pm Fri. $5 per person. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793- 9760.

Handel’s Messiah Nov 25, 7:30-9:30pm Sat. The Springfi eld Choral Society performs Handel’s Messiah, with orchestra. $15. 787-4868. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 815 S. Sixth St., 522-3342.

LLCC Student Honors Recital Nov 29, 7pm Wed. Free. Room 2250, Menard Hall, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Nov 27, 7:30pm Mon. Concert created by Grammy Awardwinner Chip Davis features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with a selection of compositions from Davis’ Fresh Aire series. $62+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass Dec 1, 7pm Fri. Concert features hymn classics with a contemporary fl air. $18 adults, $8 children under 12. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 793-3933.

Dance

Dance for Hope Dec 1, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. Latin dance night every fi rst Friday of the month. danceforhope3111. com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522- 9106. Dance for Hope Nov 24, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. All styles of dance every fourth Friday of the month. danceforhope3111. com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522- 9106.

Art & Architecture

Artist Kim Minder Dec 1, 5-8pm Fri. Meet-and-greet event with artist and Chartruse owner Kim Minder. studioon6thart. com. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 522-8006.

Edwards Place Restoration Tour Nov 30, 5:30pm Thu. See Edwards Place decorated for the holidays and view the second fl oor restoration progress. Free. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Open Studio Springfield Nov 27-28, 6:30-9:30pm. Figure drawing session featuring a clothed model on Mondays. Life drawing session featuring a live nude model on Tuesdays (parent/ guardian sign-in required for under 18). Easels, drawing boards and clips provided; bring your own or make use of community drawing materials. All welcome. $15; $10 high school students. Open.Studio.Springfi eld@gmail. com. 789-9787. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 711 S. Fifth St., 801-810-9278.

Pedestrian Nov 24-25, 29-30, Dec 1. Exhibition features artworks by Bernie White Hatcher and Adam G. Perschbacher. Free. springfi eldart. org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Robert Middaugh: Machines Inherit the Earth Nov 24-Feb 11. Exhibition features 20 artworks ranging in date from 1964-2005. On display through Feb 11. $5 for adults; free admission to children, seniors, veterans. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

The Handmades Sale Art Show Dec 1-2, 4-9pm Fri, 10am-5pm Sat. Featuring 28 artists and makers with a wide range of artwork. Plus art raffl es, poet James Escher, and blind contour portraits by Kristin Diehl. Free. hooeybatiks.com. Knights of Columbus 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 787-2360.

Toy Box - Inspiration Through Play Nov 24-Feb 11. Featuring artwork by working artists across Illinois. $5 ages 19-64; free to members, children, seniors and veterans. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558- 6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Winter Art Sale Preview Nov 29, 4:30-7:30pm Wed. Featuring one-of-a-kind studentcreated art. Plus hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, cash bar and more. Reservations requested. 786- 2785. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Lectures & Meetings

Adult Children of Alcoholics Nov 28, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meetings every Tuesday. New attendees welcome. wisetruth@ yahoo.com. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 544-9049.

Capital City Toastmasters Nov 29, 12-1pm Wed. Every Wednesday. Develop public speaking and leadership skills. 131-3356. toastmastersclubs. org. Illinois Department of Transportation, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway.

Celebrate Recovery Nov 24, 5:30-8pm Fri. A Christ-centered recovery program for hurts, habits and hang-ups. livingfaithbaptist.org. 496-2590. Living Faith Baptist Church, 7575 West Outer Road, Sherman.

Church Women United Nov 28, 9:30am Tue. Monthly meetings open to women of all congregations and women without church affi liation. Featuring Captain Rhegan Stansbury on “The Salvation Army Good Works and Career Opportunities.” 720-9416. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

Springfield Backgammon Club Nov 29, 6pm Wed. First time is free; $5 per entry after that. sangamonvalleybackgammon. com. 622-9447. Capitol Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave., 546-2111.

Springfield ICON Nov 27, 6:30-8:30pm Mon. Springfi eld Inner City Older Neighborhoods monthly meeting. Topics TBA. springfi eldicon.org. 528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Bulletin Board

APL Pet Adoptions Nov 24, 11am-4pm Fri. Adoptable cats and dogs. aplshelter.org. 544-7387. Petco, 2721 S. Veterans Parkway, 793-7387.

APL Pet Adoptions Nov 25. Cats available 11am- 4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. apl-shelter.org. 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

APL Pet Adoptions Nov 26. Cats available 12- 4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. apl-shelter.org. 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

Small Business Saturday Nov 25, 10am-12pm Sat. Hosted by Retro Rodeo. Downtown Mason City.

SSCI Day Trip: Christkindlmarket in Chicago Nov 25, 7:30am-10pm Sat. Explore the heart of Chicago and enjoy shopping opportunities. $70; does not include meals. Reservations. ssoci.org. 503- 4629. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason, 528-4035.

History

The Gettysburg Address Nov 24-26. View a copy of the Gettysburg Address, written by Abraham Lincoln himself. PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782- 5764.

Auditions

The True Adventures of Aladdin Nov 28, 9:30-11:30am Tue. Thirty-fi ve parts available for adults, teens and kids. springfi eldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Faith & Philosophy

Thanksgiving Day Service Nov 23, 10:30-11:30am Thu. Hour-long service includes Bible lesson, hymns of thanksgiving and expressions of gratitude. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 601 S. Second St.

The UU Traveling Chalice Nov 26, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Display of the chalice used at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly since 2006. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness

Biggest Loser Nov 27, 30, 6:30-7:30pm. An interactive, modifi ed fi tness challenge. $50. 638-8989. St. John AME Church, 1529 E. Capitol Ave., 533-3969.

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

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