Holiday Happenings

Adult Craft Class: Christmas Bows, Tags & Cards Mon., Dec. 2, 6:30pm. Learn how to make your own bows, tags and cards for Christmas.

This class is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville, 201 W. College Ave., 217- 243-5435.

Christmas at Sugar Creek Sat., Nov. 30, 10am-3pm. Vendors, lunch items, bake sale and used books The blood mobile will on site to take donations. Bring a food donation for the local food pantry. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, Chatham, 1022 New City Road, 622-7953.

Christmas in the Country Sat., Nov. 30, 8am-3pm. The annual craft tour of 20 locations in Athens, Cantrall and surrounding areas. Maps available in Athens stores and Chaditos on Rt. 29. Athens, 217-691-0504.

Design Ideas Holiday Store Fridays, Saturdays, 10am- 8pm and Sundays, 11am-6pm. Shop ‘n Save, 1755 Wabash Ave. Downtown Holiday Walk Wednesdays, Saturdays.. A variety of events through the season. downtownspringfield.org. Downtown Springfield.

Memorial’s Festival of Trees Wed., Nov. 27-Sun., Dec. 1. A nine-day holiday events featuring more than 200 decorated trees and wreaths, hand-crafted gingerbread village structures, handdecorated cookies and live entertainment. Adults $5, children ages 3-12 $3 and ages 2 and under are free. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-725-8047.

Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights Fridays-Sundays, 5-9pm. Stroll through the zoo as you admire the light displays. Enjoy some hot beverages or fresh sweets while you warm up near the bonfi re. There will be caroling, performances and, of course, a visit from the big guy. $7 adults, $5 children 3-12, age 2 and under are free. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.

WJVO Christmas parade Fri., Nov. 29, 6pm. Downtown Jacksonville, Central Park Plaza, 217-243-5678.

Theater & Comedy

Alex Ortiz Fri., Nov. 29, 7:30 and 9:30pm and Sat., Nov. 30, 7:30 and 9:30pm. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391-JOKE.

Michael Palascak Fri., Nov. 29, 8pm and Sat., Nov. 30, 7pm. $15 prepaid online or cash only at the door with reservations. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233.

Special Music Events

Brown Bag Concert Wednesdays, 12:15-12:45pm. Wild Columbine. Traditional music of the advent season performed on flute, violin, guitar, mandolin, whistles, bodhran, concertina and harmonium. Free and open to the public. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.

Elvis Show Sat., Nov. 30, 7pm. A tribute to Elvis featuring artists Russ Brittain and Mike Hartney. $10 at the door. Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St., 217-529-6626.

Old State Capitol Holiday Music Performances Sat., Nov. 30, 2:30pm and Wed., Dec. 4, 6:30pm. Talented local performers will be featured throughout the season. Debbie Eddy Flute Choir on Saturday and the Lincoln Magnet School Chorus on Wednesday. Hosted by the Ill. Dept. of Natural Resources.. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Rock and Rolled Mondays-Saturdays, 9am-4:30pm and Sundays, 12-4:30pm. A celebration of music that has defined the culture combined with timeless geological specimens embodying the structure of the earth from our permanent collection. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Art & Architecture

Eleanor Spiess-Ferris: Daphne’s Sister Mondays-Saturdays, 9am- 4:30pm and Sundays, 12-4:30pm. Paintings and drawings trace the development of the artist’s distinctive figures across her career. Curated by Doug Stapleton. Museum admission. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Evening design tour with Larry Betz Fri., Nov. 29, 5:15 and 6:30pm. Reservations are required. 217-782-6776. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 217-782-6776.

Glass blown ornament workshop Mon., Dec. 2, 1-4pm. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Glass blown suck bowl workshop Wed., Dec. 4, 6-9pm. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Glass paperweight workshop Tue., Dec. 3, 6-9pm. With resident glassblower Mario Clarke. $45 members, $55 non. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Holiday Walk Evening Tours Sat., Nov 30 and Wed., Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 5:15, 6:30 and 7pm. The house, built between 1902 and 1904, has more than 400 pieces of specially made art glass and original furnishings. Reservations are required. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 217-782-6776.

Painting Party Tue., Dec. 3, 7pm. A painting party for adults. Paint a snowman with instructor, Allison Pratt. All materials provided. Wear clothes for painting or bring an apron. Free. Registration required. . free. Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville, 201 W. College Ave., 217-243-5435.

UIS Visual Arts Gallery Silent Auction and Benefit Fundraising Exhibition Dec. 2-5, 11am-6pm. Featuring local and regional artists’ works. Bids taken Mon., Dec. 2 through Thu., Dec. 5. with a closing event from 5:30-7 p.m. Food and drinks served. Free. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Children’s Corner

Caring Santa Sun., Dec. 1, 9-11am. The necessary adjustments will be made to the environment to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for their visit with Santa. Free. RSVP. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0110.

Fun Frosty Friday Fri., Nov. 29, 10am-1pm. Fun for the entire family including planes, trains, automobiles, face painting, balloon art and a lifesize candy land adventure. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Parent’s Night Out Wed., Dec. 4, 5:30pm. Parents can drop off their kids while they enjoy time out shopping for the holidays and Downtown Springfield’s holiday walks. Supervised fun, educational activities and a healthy meal will be provided. Admission is $25 per child. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

The Polar Express Pajama Party Fri., Nov. 29, 5:30pm, Sat., Nov. 30, 1pm and 5:30pm and Sun., Dec. 1, 3pm. Everybody in their jammies for crafting and cocoa before a screening of the film. Includes a photo with our special guest from the North Pole. Sensory-friendly party and screening. Sat, Nov 30, 1pm. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Sensory-friendly Frozen 2 Sat., Nov. 30, 10am. For autistic children and their immediate families. Sponsored by Autism Support of Central Illinois. Free. AMC Showplace Springfield 8, 2945 South Dirksen Parkway.

Nature, Science & Environment

Springfield Civic Garden Club Mon., Dec. 2, 9am. The program is Behind the Scenes presented by True Colors Floral. New members are welcome. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 217-522-4415.

Lectures & Meetings

Alateen and Al-Anon Sundays, 6:30pm. Two separate group meetings that take place at the same time and location, but in different rooms. 217-502-6777. spi-alanon.weebly.com. Real Life Church, 2701 Hermitage Rd.

Springfield Breakfast Optimist Club Fridays, 7am. Meets every Friday. Visitors are welcome. 217-546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 217-546-7646.

The World Affairs Council of Central Illinois Wed. Dec. 4, 7:30pm. The Importance of Diplomacy presented by Kathy Johnson, retired foreign service officer. Free. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787. mywacci.org.

Bulletin Board

Companions on the Journey Mon., Dec. 2, 11:30am. A monthly gathering for seniors to promote positive social connections. Following a shared lunch, speakers will give a short presentation with a discussion period. $20. chiaracenter.org. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Compassion and Choices Wed., Dec. 4, 7pm. Meets monthly to support legislation that would offer compassionate choices for terminally ill individuals. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Mondays, Thursdays, 6-7pm. A 12-step meeting for those seeking freedom from addictive or compulsive sexual behavior. Confidentiality assured. Email [email protected] or call 217-306-7335 for meeting location.

History

Lunch and Learn: Illinois History Symposium Tue., Dec. 3, 9am-3pm. Casting Lincoln: The Sculptures of John McClarey and Art Scents: Exploring the aesthetics of smell. Presented by Larry Shiner. $25 includes lunch and refreshments. UIS Student Union Ballroom, 2251 Richard Wright Dr., 217-206-4782.

Paul Mickey Learning Series Wed., Dec. 4, 7-8:30pm. New Data and Perspectives on central Illinois During the 11th through 14th Centuries presented by Dr. Duane Esarey. The 500 year Mississippian history of central Illinois. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-558-6696.

Faith & Philosophy

A Course in Miracles Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Finding the Pathway to Unity Fri., Nov. 29, 6:30-8pm. Presentation and discussion. Light refreshments and fellowship follow. Free. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-546-9171.

Hope Wed., Dec. 4, 6:30pm. Cancer Companions ministry team will conduct nine group sessions offering encouragement and support to anyone in treatment, post treatment or their caregivers. Free. stjohnsspringfield.org. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 217-793-3933.

World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance Sun., Dec. 1, 2pm. A brief service of poetry, prayer and the reading of names of those we have lost, followed by an invitation to walk the memorial labyrinth. Lincoln Park, Fifth Street and Sangamon Avenue, 217-544-1751.

Health

Community Yoga Mondays, 5:15-6:30pm. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat. A few mats are available to borrow. Open to any adult and all skill levels, but the class is geared toward beginners. Free, but donations to the instructor are welcome. Family Service Center, 710 E. Vine St., 217-528-8406.

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

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