Holiday Calendar
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Springfield Holiday Concert Dec 16, 7pm, A concert featuring all the choirs of Springfield high school. The event will also include student-made cookies and treats. Free admission, $5 per plate. Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St. For more info, call 525- 3100 or go to www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield.

Christmas Cantata Dec 17, 6:30pm, Listen to the sounds of holiday gospel at a Christmas Cantata. Free. Abundant Faith Christian Center, 2525 Taylor Ave. For more info, call 585-4000

Holiday Bake Sale Dec 17, 3-7pm, You order it…we bake it. Request an old favorite or order a specialty cake made by students from area high schools. Bake goods include butter cake: chocolate, marble, or decadent vanilla, Mexican fruitcake, Mama’s Sweet Potato Pie, Puppy Chow, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate oatmeal cake, lemon poke cake, Sock-It-To-Me Cake, Death by Chocolate Cake. Janis Gregory, professional baker, will assist youth in baking holiday goodies. Place your order Dec 8-12, Bake Sale on 17. Butter Cake $7, Pies $8, Cakes $10, cheesecake $12. Donations accepted. Southeast High School Commons, 2350 E Ash St. For more, call 525- 3150.

Men's Night Out Dec 18, 5-8pm, Any man who comes to holiday shop downtown will be given holiday tokens to receive discounts at downtown bars. Part of Down town Holiday Walk. Downtown Springfield. For more info, go to www.downtownspringfield.org.

Santa Claus is Calling Dec 18-20, 6-8pm, Children can receive a call from Santa Claus. Give child's name, age, item they want and telephone number. All proceeds benefit Salvation Army charities $20 minimum donation. For more info or to sign up, go to www.tsaspringfield.org.

Christmas Spectacular Dec 19-20,8pm, Dec 21, 2pm, Lavish costumes, and a 10-piece orchestra make Christmas Wishes a musical revue to be enjoyed by all. Featuring traditional Christmas songs like “Deck the Halls,” “Winter Wonderland,” “O Holy Night” and more. $16 adults, $12 children. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. For more info, call 523-2787.

Holiday Dinner and Dancing at the Elks Lodge Dec 19, 8-11pm, The Don Smith Quintet will provide entertainment for a dinner dance. Members and guests welcome. $25 per person. Springfield Elk’s Lodge #158. For more info and to RSVP, call 698-1916.

Home for The Holidays- Holiday Pops Dec 20, 2pm and 8pm, Celebrate the coming of Christmas with The Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Saint Andrew's Pipes and Drums, and local guest artists. Santa Claus will also make an appearance. $20-$42. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. For more info or to purchase tickets, call 206-6160 or go to www.sangamonauditorium.org.

Music for Christmas Dec 21, 4pm, The Westminster Choir, Choirsters, The Walnuts and others will give a concert titled, "A Gift of Music for Christmas." Westminister Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St. For more info, call 522-4415.

Festival of Lessons and Carols Dec 24, 7:30pm, Spend a cozy Christmas Eve among candles and reading from Holy Scripture and listening to Christmas carols. Westminister Presbyterian Church,533 S Walnut St. For more info, call 522-4415

Christmas Breakfast Dec 25, 8:30am-12pm, Enjoy a Christmas breakfast and fellowship with others. Breakfast includes pancakes scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, coffee and juice. $6 adults, $5 seniors, $.25 for every year kids 12 and under. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St. For more info, call 787-7223.

Camp Nkiru Jr. Dec 26, 29-31 and January 2, 5, 8am-5:30pm A winter day camp for youth in grades 1-5. Children engage in fun and empowering activities that teach good citizenship. Trip participants will work as Jr. Counselors. $20 per day or $100 for the 6-day session. Lunch is provided. Union Baptist Church, 1405 Monroe. For more info, call 525-3150.

Family Skate Night Dec 28, 5-7pm, Take a break from the holiday rush and have fun with the family at a family Skate Night hosted by Abundant Faith. $6. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr. For more info, call 585-4000.

New Year’s Eve

Early American Ball Dec 31, 7:30 pm, Dancers practiced for weeks to learn steps to early American dances to perform at the Early American New Year's Eve Ball. The ball is part of the First Night Springfield festivities. Dress in period costume and spend the evening sipping champagne and dancing. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St. For more info, call 652-8085.

First Night Springfield Dec 31, 5pm, The theme of the event is “There’s Magic in the Air.” There will be several magicians including Walter King , the spellbinder. Join in or watch salsa, swing, or square dancing and attend the Early American Ball . The event also includes art exhibits and theater performances focusing on Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial. Don’t miss the firework show as Springfield rings in the New Year. $12 advance, $15 on site, $5 children 5-18, $30 for family pack includes two adults and two youth. Downtown Springfield. For more info, call 753- 3519 or go to www.springfieldartsco.org.

Lincoln Birthday Celebration Dec 31, 8pm, Grammy Award-winning composer/folklorist duo Jay Ungar and Molly Mason will lead a musical "Early Birthday Celebration for A. Lincoln." $37. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. For more info or to purchase tickets call 206-6160

New Year’s Eve Service Dec 31, 9pm, As an alternative to New Year’s Eve craziness Abundant Faith is holding a New Year’s Eve service for those who would rather spend the evening in praise. Abundant Faith Christian Center, 2525 Taylor Ave. For more info, call 585-4000