Holiday Happenings

Christmas Card Lane Nov 26-30. An outdoor exhibit/ competition comprised of larger-thanlife “cards” created by local artists and groups based on the theme “Holiday Season Around the World.” Hosted by the Decatur Area Arts Council. decaturarts.org.

Downtown Decatur.

Christmas Concert Nov 27, 7pm Tue. By the Capital Area Concert Band and LLCC Band. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Christmas Kickoff Nov 23-24, 10am-8pm Fri-Sat. Select your Christmas tree, enjoy camp fun plus live animals, nativity, hayrides, hot chocolate, baked goods, a holiday store and more. Hosted by Refuge Ranch and Lake Springfield Christian Assembly. lscacamp.org. Lake Springfield Christian Assembly, 1674 Lick Creek Lane, Chatham, 529- 2625.

Cranberry Christmas Craft Fair Nov 30, 5-8pm Fri. Featuring 40 vendors offering handmade crafts for your home and those on your Christmas list. Free admission. 764- 3505. Blue Mound Civic Center, 551 N. Lewis St., Blue Mound, 692-2777.

Dana-Thomas House Holiday Walks Nov 28, 5-8pm Wed. View the beautiful holiday decorations that fi ll one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most impressive works. Donations. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 782-6776.

Downtown Springfield Inc. Holiday Walks Nov 24, 28, 12-5pm Sat, 5-8pm Wed. Featuring carolers, a 16-foot Christmas tree on the plaza, Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, performers and more. downtownspringfield.org. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Franciscan Nativity Festival Nov 30, 2-7pm Fri. Featuring more than 100 Nativity sets, many of which are new entries. Free. chiaracenter. org. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 523-0901.

Fun Frosty Friday Nov 23, 10am-1pm Fri. Featuring fun for the entire family such as planes, trains, automobiles, face painting, balloon art, photos with Santa, a lifesized Candy Land adventure and more. Free. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Holidays at the White House Nov 23-30, 9am-5pm Mon-Sun. Featuring cards, documents and photos from Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush. Free with museum admission. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Make-and-Take Snowman Party Nov 24, 5-7pm Sat. For parents and children. Cookies and hot chocolate provided. Free. 415-2976. Prairie Skies Public Library District Ashland, 125 W. Editor St., Ashland, 476-3417.

Polar Express Pajama Party Nov 23-25, 5:30pm Fri-Sat, 1pm Sat, 3pm Sun. Enjoy crafting, hot cocoa, a screening of The Polar Express, and a visit with a special North Pole guest. Pajamas encouraged. $15 advance, $20 day of. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838- 3006.

Santa Stroll Nov 24, 9am-5pm Sat. Hosted by Jacksonville Main Street in celebration of Small Business Saturday. 473-7287. Downtown Jacksonville, Central Park, Jacksonville, 243-5678.

Santa Visit Nov 24, 2-4pm Sat. Featuring Santa visits, storytime, crafts and cookies. Free. Pawnee 104 Store, 210 Carroll St., Pawnee, 625-2721.

Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway Nov 22, 9:30am-12:30pm Thu. Giveaway of Thanksgiving food baskets for needy families in the community. Organized by Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Psi fraternities, the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion Post 809. 801-8925. American Legion Post 809, 1800 E. Capitol Ave., 522-3110.

The ReGifters Nov 30, 7pm Fri. A hilarious holiday dinner theater performance by Theatre 7. Directed by Kathy Zientara. $45. theatre7.net. The Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, 429-4200.

Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights Nov 30, 5-9pm Fri. Behold the splendor of hundreds of colorful twinkling lights as you stroll through the pathways around the zoo. $7 adults, $5 ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.

Fairs & Festivals

XMAS ARTicles Grand Opening Event Nov 30, 5-7:30pm Fri. Grand opening event for XMAS ARTicles, a Christmas shop full of original art and fi ne crafts from 50 artists. Featuring festive live music, tasty holiday treats and more. decaturarts.org. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St., Decatur, 423-3189.

Memorial’s Festival of Trees Nov 22-25, 4-8pm Thu, 10am- 8pm Fri-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun. Nine-day holiday event featuring more than 200 creativelydecorated trees and wreaths and more. $5 adults, $3 ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. MemorialsFestivalofTrees.com. 788-4700. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 725-8047.

Books & Authors

11 Area Authors Signing Books Nov 24, 10:30am-2:30pm Sat. Event features 11 area authors available for conversation and book signings regarding a showcase of books they have written in a variety of styles, including, science fi ction, mysteries, historical fiction, poetry, Lincoln and Illinois history. Free. booksonthesquare.com. Books on the Square Springfield, 427 E. Washington St., 965- 5443.

Artful Readers Book Club Nov 27, 7-8:30pm Tue. Join fellow art and book lovers for casual, engaging literary discussion on Priya Parmar’s “Vanessa and Her Sister.” Ages 21+. Registration. Free. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Theater & Comedy

A Christmas Carol: The Musical Nov 30, 8pm Fri. Play about Ebenezer Scrooge, who is forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his past, present and future. $18, $20. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Reena Calm Nov 30, 8-9:30pm Fri. One of the most respected and requested comedians in the Midwest. Reservations. $12.50. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 482-5233.

Music: General Events

Constellation Men’s Vocal Ensemble Nov 30, 7:30-9:30pm Fri. Performance by a Chicagobased men’s chamber choir dedicated to exceptional music making and spreading passion for choral music with community engagement and diverse programming. $15 per ticket. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 245-3000.

Fall Showcase Nov 30, 7:30pm Fri. Featuring the UIS Chorus, Orchestra and Band. Free. uis.edu. 206-6240. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Nov 30, 7-8:30pm Fri. Winter concert by the Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus featuring “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Feliz Navidad,” Home for the Holidays” and other holiday favorites. $18 adults, $10 ages 12 and under. hcfta.org. 553-3324. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

JACK’d Nov 23, 11:30am-12:30pm Fri. A jazz combo featuring Jason Waddell, LLCC professor of music, and LLCC students Emma Bachman and Emily Miller. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 725-8047.

LLCC Student Honors Recital Nov 28, 7pm Wed. Menard Hall, Room 2250, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

The Christian Gospel Singers Nov 28, 10am Wed. Every Wednesday. All are welcome. 303-2422. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 528-4035.

Dance Country Music Dance Nov 30, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. $5 cover. VFW 10302 Northenders, 2349 Stockyard Road, 789-4725.

Dance for Hope Nov 23, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. All styles of dance every fourth Friday of the month. $8 per person. Free admission to one dance of your choosing during your birth month. danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522- 9106.

Art & Architecture

Art of Illinois Exhibition Tour Nov 24, Sat. Co-curated by Wendy Greenhouse and Sharon Darling, Art of Illinois features pieces dating back 750 years through the present day. Registration. Free. illinoismansion.org. Illinois Governor’s Mansion, 410 E. Jackson St., 782-6450.

no cake, no trophy Nov 26-30, 8am-4pm Mon-Fri. A print exhibit by Felicia Cannon. On display weekdays through Dec 13. llcc.edu. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-4967.

Beaux Arts Ball Nov 24, 5:30pm Sat. Dinner at 5:30pm. Dancing at 9pm. Hosted by the Springfield Art Association. Dinner ticket deadline is Nov. 14 and costs $125 for adults and $50-$75 for children. Dance: $5 at door. springfieldart.org. 523-2631. Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-7777.

One Nighter: Ceramic Flower Workshop Nov 28, 6-8pm Wed. Instructed by Ginger Lukas. Students will make one ceramic flower. BYOB or food. $20 members, $30 non. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

One Nighter: Enamel Wine Stopper Nov 30, 6-8pm Fri. Instructor Poppy Vincent teaches techniques to create a colorful enameled wine stopper. BYO food. $15 members, $25 non. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

SAA Collective Members Exhibition Reception Nov 30, 5-7pm Fri. Featuring new works by the SAA Collective artists. On display though Dec. 22. Free. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

The Handmades Sale Nov 30, 2-7pm Fri. A holiday art show featuring local and regional artists. Organized by ArtHive 835. Free. arthive835.com. Casey’s Pub, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 241-7101.

Film & Television Sorry to Bother You Nov 24, 5-9pm Sat. Screening and meaningful discussion of Boots Riley’s debut film, Sorry to Bother You, plus a potluck. $5. sangamoncountydsa.org. 815- 570-9348. Union Hall, 615 S. Fifth St., 320-566-9420.

Sunday Matinee: Pocahontas Nov 25, 2pm Sun. Showing of Pocahontas. Film is rated G. lincolnlibrary.info. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

Lectures & Meetings Breakfast Optimist Club Nov 30, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors welcome. 546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

GriefShare Grief Recovery Program Nov 28, 6:30-8pm Wed. A 13- week, Christ-centered, biblicallybased support group seminar.

Cost of book. griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

Ntosake Nov 22, 6pm Thu. Women’s leadership team meetings held on the fourth Thursday of every month. Hosted by Faith Coalition for the Common Good. faithcoalition-il.org. 717-1525. Calvary Baptist Church, 2208 E. Kansas St., 544-1424.

World Affairs Council of Central Illinois Nov 26, 7:30pm Mon. Monthly meeting featuring a talk titled “How World War I Changed the World” by speakers Christine Anderson and Karl R Rubis. Free. mywacci.org. UIS Student Union, 1 William Maxwell Lane, 206-4782.

Bulletin Board Board Game Night Nov 29, 7-9pm Thu. Hosted by Lincoln Library and Buzz Bomb Brewing Co. Free. buzzbombbrewingco.com. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co, 406 E. Adams, 679-4157.

Drinkin Lincoln Craft Beer Walk Nov 23-24, 30, 7-10pm Fri, 2-5pm Sat. Journey through the downtown historic Levy District, walking in Lincoln’s footsteps as we explore Springfield’s growing craft beer scene. Ages 21+. $45 per person. springfieldwalks.com. 502-8687. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

Handmade Trivia Nov 28, 7-9pm Wed. Donna Smargiassi doles out seven rounds of five trivia questions each. Free. buzzbombbrewingco.com. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co, 406 E. Adams, 679-4157.

Intro to Contemporary Parents Nov 26, 7-8pm Mon. Parents learn how to build an encouraging child safety file and discover why it is important. Free. Decatur Township Community Room, 1620 S. Taylorville Road, Decatur, 464-0406.

Thank You Fest Nov 28, 5:30-8pm Wed. A celebration for NPR donors and supporters featuring live music and delicious food. Presented by NPR Illinois. RSVP. 206-9847. Illinois Governor’s Mansion, 410 E. Jackson St., 782-6450.

History Bicentennial and Beyond! The Illinois Legacy Collection Nov 23-30, 9am-4:30pm Mon- Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun. Exhibition features rare and rarely-seen artifacts from the Museum’s 13.5-million-object Illinois Legacy Collection to highlight the dynamic story of Illinois. Free with museum admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558- 6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Faith & Philosophy

Stone Soup Nov 25, 10:30-11:30am Sun. An intergenerational service presented by Penny Wollan-Kriel brings together the congregation to fill the kettle with ingredients which will be given to the Kumler Food Pantry. Free. aluuc. org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Thanksgiving Day Service Nov 22, 10:30-11:30am Thu. Includes a Bible lesson, hymns of Thanksgiving and expressions of gratitude shared by those in the congregation. 652-3648. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 601 S. Second St.

Thanksgiving Day Service Nov 22, 9am Thu. 787-2323. Trinity Lutheran Church, 220 S. Second St., 522-8151.