Enjoy winter at its finest by visiting Chicago Southland this weekend. Whether you’re interested in celebrating the holiday lights, taking in a performance or exploring nature in winter, you will find it
Just Beyond the City Limits.

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     Holiday Happenings

 

There are nine Holiday Events this weekend and over 40 Holiday Events happening throughout December. Click here for more information and to grab your tickets to see a Well-Strung Christmas in Palos Hills, a Winter Wonderland Festival in South Holland, Peotone's Christmas in the Village, Magic Holiday Lights at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and so much more Holiday Cheer!

 

 

Arts & Culture

Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th
ALABAMA STORY
The Drama Group Studio Theatre
330 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights
(708) 755-3444
This drama is a gentle children’s book with an apparently hidden message that stirs the passions of a segregationist senator and a no-nonsense state librarian in 1959 Montgomery, just as the civil rights movement is flowering. Inspired by true events, "Alabama Story" puts political foes, star-crossed childhood friends, and one feisty children’s author on the same page to conjure a deep south of the imagination.
F-Sa 7:30PM; Su 2PM

Friday, December 9th
CHARLES MATSON LUME | WHAT WAITS IS OFTEN DISGUISED (FOR WILLIAM STAFFORD)
Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery at Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center
9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills
(708) 974-5500
Charles Matson Lume creates a site-specific installation using light and common materials to address issues around the ineffable, poetry and waiting. Matson Lume believes that the arts plays a vital role in the health of our civilization, and stands with the poet William Carlos Williams when he states: “It is difficult/to get the news from poems/yet men die miserably every day/for lack/of what is found there.”
9AM-4:30PM

Saturday, December 10th - Sunday, December 11th
A SOUL CHRISTMAS
SPAA Theater & Performing Arts Center
350 Victory Drive, Park Forest
(708) 748-9470
Enjoy this heartwarming Christmas story, sharing the true message of the season, that it is not about the GIFT but the GIVER. Delight in the music, message and more! Tickets on sale now for $25 or $30 at the door!
Sa 2PM & 7PM; Su 4PM

Explore Nature

Saturday, December 10th
MORNING BIRD HIKE
Monee Reservoir through the Forest Preserve District of Will County
27341 Ridgeland Avenue, Monee
(708) 534-8499
Explore and learn which migrating bird species are stopping in Will County forest preserves. Bring binoculars and a favorite field guide. Dress for the weather. Hikes range from 0.5 to 1.5 miles. The free program is for ages 18 and older. Registration is required by Dec. 8; call 708-534-8499.
8-10AM

Sunday, December 11th
BUILD YOUR OWN WORM BIN: COMPOSTING FOR THE WINTER
Plum Creek Nature Center through the Forest Preserve District of Will County
27064 South Dutton Road, Beecher
(708) 946-2216
Learn how to create healthy soil during the cold winter months then build a worm bin composter to take home. Information on passive, tumbler and three-bin composting techniques and the Forest Preserve's new compost trail exhibit also will be presented. The program is for ages 7 and older and it costs $15 per worm bin (one bin per family). Registration is required by Dec. 9.
1-3PM

Sunday, December 11th
CHRISTMAS PAST
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Visit the pioneer cabins to celebrate this joyous time of year in a simpler way with homemade toys, chestnuts roasting and popcorn popping in the open fire. Everyone is invited to make a craft to take home.
1:30PM

Family Fun

Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th
WINTER WONDERLAND ICE RINK
Centennial Park
15600 West Avenue at Fun Drive, Orland Park
(708) 403-7275
Skaters with their own skates may use ice rink daily beginning at sunrise. Rink closes when warming house closes. Warming house / skate rental hours are subject to change.
F 4-9PM; Sa 10AM-9PM; Su 12-7PM

Saturday, December 10th
MOM & SON DATE NIGHT
H-F Sports Complex
18211 Aberdeen Street, Homewood
(708) 957-0300
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is hosting a special night just for moms and their sons. No need to get all dressed up, it’s a pajama party! The night will start off with a delicious holiday-themed buffet that is sure to satisfy everyone’s appetite. Moms and Sons are encouraged to wear their most comfortable pair of pajamas, bring cozy blankets, sleeping bags and pillows so they can snuggle up and watch a holiday classic film. This event is sure to create some memories that will last a lifetime! Participation is limited so please register early. Fee is $35 R / $48 NR.
5-8PM

Learn Something New

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 27th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Shopping

Saturday, December 10th - Sunday, December 11th
SWAP-O-RAMA FLEA MARKET
The Great Hall at the Tri-State Swap-O-Rama
4350 West 129th Street, Alsip
(708) 344-7300
Chicagoland's most modern indoor/outdoor permanent flea market. Over 800 individual booths of merchandise at bargain prices.
7AM-4PM

You’ll want to explore all of the “SHOPPERTUNITIES” in Chicago Southland.

Friday, December 9th
JERRY ROSSEN PUBLIC AUCTIONS
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 997-0245
Auctions will include antiques, collectibles, furniture and more!
6PM

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar of events.

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