Don't let the gift shopping, early darkness and chill in the air stop you from enjoying all that the south suburbs have to offer during the holidays. Many of the events in the South Suburbs are free and kid focused, but I have added a few events on here that are just for the adults!
As a realtor, I try to keep up on both the real estate market and the communities I serve. I hope this cultivated list of holiday events help you explore more of Illinois and the towns around you! If you know someone who is looking to buy in our amazing community, please send them my information. I would love to help them find a home here. (Jill Jackson 708-248-2348 Realtor)
Kid Friendly Events (breakfast with santas etc)
Vendor markets & shopping events
Music and theater
Unique Christmas events
Town sponsored tree lighting events
Towns with events highlighted: Orland Park, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Mokena, Lansing, Lemont, Oak Lawn, Naperville, Park Forest, Peotone, Kankakee, Frankfort, Blue Island, Lockport, Joliet, Manteno, and Palos Park.
ORLAND PARK CHRISTMAS FAIR & MARKET
Sun, December 18, 2022 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM CST
Free

Come out and enjoy a Weekend of shopping, festivities, food, and entertainment.
This Holiday extravaganza showcasing entrepreneurs, product vendors, fashion, gift ideas, gourmet goodies, rare finds, home décor, arts and crafts and so much more.
For more information: ORLAND PARK CHRISTMAS FAIR & MARKET
Tinley Park A Tribute to Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Fri, Dec 9 Tinley Park Convention Center
$15

The 2022 Tinley Park Holiday Music Show is almost here! Created to be a holiday experience for all; featuring the music of Trans-Siberian
Orchestra. Telling the story of Christmas around the world, complete with an angelic choir, snow machines, a state-of-the-art light show and other holiday surprises!The Village has plans to host a different holiday-themed show each year to signal the start of Christmastime in Tinley Park. Don’t miss your chance to create brand-new holiday memories with your family and join us for a stellar show packed with all of your yuletide favorites!
Homer Glen Santa's Secret Scavenger Hunt
Sun, Nov 27 10-2:30 Konow's Corn Maze 16849 South Cedar Road Homer Glen, IL
Free

Help Santa find his wallet! While driving through Homer Glen, Santa realized his wallet was gone! He can't go back to the North Pole without it.
He's calling in all the forces: Police, K9s, firemen and YOU!
If you find the wallet, the cash is yours ... but beware of the counterfeits! Joey's Red Hots will also be onsite and will have 1 free hot dog available for each attendee. Photos with Santa and his red truck will be available for families from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ONLY. Photos will be on a first come, first served basis.
More information here Santa's Secret Scavenger Hunt Tickets, Sun, Nov 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
ORLAND PARK JINGLE VENDOR & COMMUNITY EXPO
Sun, December 4, 2022, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM CST16123 South La Grange Road

Bring in the holiday season with family and friends at The ORLAND PARK JINGLE VENDOR & COMMUNITY EXPO.
Come out and enjoy a weekend of shopping, festivities, food, and entertainment with this holiday extravaganza showcasing entrepreneurs, product vendors, fashion, gift ideas, gourmet goodies, rare finds, home décor, arts and crafts and so much more.
More information here.
Mokena Breakfast with Santa!
Sun, Dec 11 9-12 Jamo's Live Mokena
$10

Professional pictures with Santa and the Grinch will be available
Face Painter
Balloon Artist
Games and Goody Bags
SHJS Spartans will be singing Christmas carols
Kids under 5 are FREE Jamo’s Live is supporting three local families all other proceeds will go to Cal’s Angels! We will also be purchasing a gaming system for a hospital in need.
Lansing Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol performed by Greg Weiss
Fri, December 2, 2022, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Lansing Public Library

It's the holiday season and nothing says Christmas, like Dickens' A Christmas Carol! Visit the Lansing Public Library for our Library@Nite Concert and enjoy this classic tale performed by Greg Weiss! Doors open at 5:30pm and performance starts at 6:30pm.
Before the performance we ask that you visit Lansing Historical Society's exhibit, 'Festival of Lights' (located on the lower level of the library). This exhibit showcases how Christmas is celebrated around the world! It's the perfect kickoff to the evening's performance. All of our guests will have an opportunity to enter to win 2 tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Merry Merry Chicago Holiday Show!
And finally to put that cherry on top or star atop the tree, enjoy refreshments ($3 pie slices) sold by the Friends of Lansing Public Library.
More information here Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol performed by Greg Weiss Tickets, Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
Naperville Holiday Extravaganza Shopping
December 4 11-3pm Sheraton Hotel Naperville

Don’t let holiday stress turn you into a huge mess. You deserve fun treats this season, whether you've been naughty or nice! Shop ‘til you drop, join exciting raffles, and enjoy free goodies at the 6th Annual Holiday Extravaganza!
Our expert small and local businesses will be selling all sorts of holiday gifts and goodies! With over 50 to shop from, you are sure to find something for yourself and everyone on your list!
You don't wanna miss the VIP ticket for this event! You get a swag bag full of goodies and10 raffle tickets.
More information here (3) Holiday Extravaganza Expo & Event For Women! | Facebook
Oak Lawn Midnight Terror Christmas Fear (Haunted House)
Dec 16, 17, 18 5520 W 111th St Oak Lawn, IL 60453
$20+

For those who are missing halloween...
Visitors will experience Santa’s Workshop of Fear that has been taken over by elves and a Silent Night Maze with an Interactive Snowball Fight, our warehouse is completely re-themed with a new layout, new props, and all-new Christmas Characters.
More information here Christmas Fear 2022 | An Interactive Christmas Haunted House | Event Details | HauntPay - Scary Simple Ticketing and Payments for Haunted Attractions
Lemont Holiday Pet Parade
December 11 1-2pm 310 Front Street Lemont

Join us for our Second Annual ugly sweater Pet Pawrade and holiday festival of fur Bring your buddy to General Fry's Landing on Front Street for a selfie station hosted by Pawlak Properties! 🐾 The ugly sweater stroll heads east on Front Street at 1pm, turns at Stephen Street and finishes at Budnik Plaza where we will have PRIZES for the Ugliest Sweater and Most Merry pet!
Please only bring friendly pets, and put on their holiday best.
More information here Holiday Pet Pawrade, General Fry's Landing, Lemont, December 11 2022 | AllEvents.in
Park Forest “Wrapped Up In Your Love” Live Stage Performance
Sat, Dec 10 5pm Freedom Hall-Nathan Manilow Theatre 410 Lakewood Boulevard Park Forest
$5+

Wrapped Up In Your Love is a Live Stage Performance written and produced by Veryln Randle and is centered around “Granny Mary” -(Played by LaTanya Mccallister-Eaves) and her Family. Granny Mary is a Christian woman that is very religious and wrapped up in the love of Jesus. Out of this love she has captured the love of her family. Through her powerful words, encouragement and love she helps her family see a brighter future. In turn they blesses her tremendously. This performance is family friendly and we encourage you to bring the whole family out for a night full of laughter and holiday cheer! One of our special Guest Psalmist for the evening include stellar award winning, gospel recording artist Chef Kim Stratton. “𝘞𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘜𝘱 𝘐𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦”will be one for the books & we have two final words-𝘉𝘌 𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘙𝘌!
More information “Wrapped Up In Your Love” Live Stage Performance Tickets, Sat, Dec 10, 2022 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite
Peotone Brunch with Santa
Sat. Dec 3 10-1pm 422 S. Governers Hwy Peotone
$10 +

Enjoy brunch with Santa! Tickets include a photo and brunch. Hosted by Serendipity Events. Kids 3 and under are free!
More information here
Putz House Decorating Party
Wed, December 7, 2022, 6:00 – 8:00 Madame Saint Vintage 275 South Schuyler Avenue Kankakee
$20

Vintage lovers, let’s deck your halls with a handmade, Putz-style house! Grab your space for a night of holiday crafting fun.
Ticket includes:
A miniature chipboard house and all the materials to decorate your vintage inspired treasure. Glue, glitter, paint, bottle brush trees, and more. What’s a Putz house? I’m glad you asked! They’re paper, often cardboard style houses decorated with paint, glitter, tiny trees and Christmas notions. They were usually set up in nativity scenes or Christmas villages. German-Americans are attributed with bringing the tradition of handmade paper houses for nativities with them to the United States and Japanese companies began manufacturing them, too. These little cardboard houses have been around for over a hundred years!
Frankfort Fresh Cut Greenery Arrangement Workshop
Varies Dates Alsip Nursery Frankfort
$60

Create your very own holiday porch pot arrangement comprised of Fresh Cut Winter Greens using our proven formula and expert instruction! Alsip Home & Nursery Wow your holiday guests this holiday season with a greeting of fragrant winter greens beautifully arranged by you! Our experts will guide you through our proven formula for arranging your fresh cut winter greens. Fashion your winter porch pot arrangement for an additional fee by upgrading or purchasing decorations a la carte!
More information Frankfort, IL: Create A Porch Pot! Fresh Cut Greenery Arrangement Workshops Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Blue Island Craft Fair @ Blue Island Beer Co
Sun Dec 11 1pm Blue Island Beer Company 13357 Old Western Avenue Blue Island
Free

Join us and attend this year's True To
The Holiday Craft Fair and Krampus Market! Curated by the Streetz Artz Alliance, this market features independently owned, local artists and makers that share their passions and creativity in items they make. From cute to dark, this market has something for everyone. While we are a few days late for the official Krampusnacht, it's never too late to celebrate Krampus! You will find a variety of Krampus related items amongst all of the artist tables. In fact, there will be over two dozen local artists and two tarot readers!!
More information True To The Holiday Craft Fair and Krampus Market Tickets, Sun, Dec 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite
Tinley Park Flurry of Makers Holiday Market
Sun, November 27 12:00 – 5:00 Hailstorm Brewing Co 8060 186th Street Tinley Park
Free

Get a jump on your Holiday shopping and attend this Flurry Artisan Market at Hailstorm Brewing in Tinley Park. Curated by the Streetz Artz Alliance, this market features independently owned, local artists and makers that share their passions and creativity in items they make.
Holiday magic will be in full effect with Live Piano Holiday Music from Jerek.
More information Flurry Of Makers Holiday Market Tickets, Sun, Nov 27, 2022 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
Lockport Christmas in the Square
Sat. Nov 26 1-4:30
Free

There will be tree lighting, Santa photos, family activities and so much more! Don't forget to check out the Festival of Trees and vote for your favorite!
Joliet Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage
Wed Nov 30 6:30 Rialto Square Theater Joliet
$30+

Don't miss A Charlie Brown Christmas live on stage at what is considered one of the ten most beautiful theaters in America. Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life in a spectacular new touring production of A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage.Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story, and featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage is a present that the whole family can enjoy.Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they sing, dance, and learn the true meaning of Christmas!
More information and tickets - A Charlie Brown Christmas Live!
Manteno- Christmas in Manteno
Sat Dec 3 12:45-6pm The Square on Second Manteno, IL
Free

Christmas in Manteno...one of the most magical nights of the year! Kick it all off with Santa's parade at 12:45pm, visits with Santa from 1-5pm, Holiday Business Walk 2-4:45, see over 40 trees decorated by local businesses at Christmas Tree Lane at the Square on Second, and finally top it all off with the most amazing Christmas Lighting Ceremony around at 5:30...with live entertainment throughout the day! More information Christmas In Manteno | Facebook
Palos Park Holiday Farm Function
Sat Dec 17 Childrens Farm 12700 Southwest Hwy Palos Park
$10

Come visit the animals before Christmas! Hayrack rides will be running! Guests can visit with santa, enjoy complimentary refreshments and roast a marshmallow! Bring your camera!The Center’s mission is to give people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages the space to dream, grow, and become fully alive—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
More information Holiday Farm Function | Facebook
Frankfort Reindeer on the Green
Sat Dec 10 12-2 Frankfort Breidert Green
Free

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