Events

Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Continues through Dec. 15

1755 Wabash Ave., Springfield Jerome

After a five-year hiatus, Design Ideas is bringing back its holiday store to Springfield. All the merchandise is sold at a loss and Design Ideas covers the overhead to operate the store so that all proceeds can be donated to local charities. The four nonprofit organizations splitting this year’s sales are The Animal Protective League, Helping Hands of Springfield, Hoogland Center for the Arts and Sparc. Since its inception in 2006, the Design Ideas Holiday Store has donated more than $130,000 to local charities. The Design Ideas Holiday Store will be located in the former Shop ‘n Save building at…

The Nutcracker

Sun., Dec. 15, 2 p.m.

UIS Performing Arts Center

One University Plaza, Springfield Lake Springfield Area

Dance

217-206-6160

North Mac Moms Storytime

Mon., Dec. 23, 4 p.m.

The Sly Fox Bookstore

123 N. Springfield St., Virden Out-of-town

Children's Corner

Guests read stories for kids. Free. No registration. 965-3641

Holiday Card Making

Sat., Dec. 21, 1 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 22, 1 p.m.

Illinois State Museum

502 S. Spring St., Springfield Downtown

$5 adults ages 19-64

Holiday Happenings

Create a handmade holiday or seasonal card. Supplies will be provided. Part of the Old Capitol Holiday Walks. Take the Santa Van from downtown Springfield to the museum from 1:00 to 4:00 pm or park in the lots near the museum for free on Saturdays. 217-782-6044

Old State Capitol Holiday Music Performances

Wed., Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m.

Old State Capitol

1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield Downtown

Free.

Special Music Events, Holiday Happenings

Talented local performers will be featured throughout the season. Hosted by the Ill. Dept. of Natural Resources. 217-785-7960

Cook n' Karaoke

Sun., Dec. 15, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Mon., Dec. 16, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Tue., Dec. 17, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Wed., Dec. 18, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Thu., Dec. 19, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Fri., Dec. 20, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. and Sat., Dec. 21, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

Pier 55

1225 Toronto Road, Springfield Lake Springfield Area

Special Music Events

Come out and enjoy the fun, you will be glad you did 217-585-241

Rock and Rolled

Mondays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4:30 p.m. Continues through March 2

Illinois State Museum

502 S. Spring St., Springfield Downtown

Special Music Events, Nature, Science & Environment

Imagine a museum exhibition inspired by the music that we love from the last fifty years. It would feature painting, photography, sculpture, installation and illustrations. Then we pair the art with rocks, minerals, fossils and meteorites from our world renowned Geology Collection at the Illinois State Museum. This is ROCKED & ROLLED! A celebration of music that has defined the culture combined with timeless geological specimens embodying the structure of the earth from our permanent collection. Featuring the artwork of Daniel McAdam, Judy & Bill Anderson, Yams, Christine Duray, Warren Linn, Larry Brogan, Dylan Fish, Plastic Crimewave, John Spear, Mac… 217-782-7386

Eleanor Spiess-Ferris: Daphne's Sister

Mondays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4:30 p.m. Continues through Feb. 16

Illinois State Museum

502 S. Spring St., Springfield Downtown

Art & Architecture

Paintings and drawings trace the development of the artist's distinctive figures across her career. Curated by Doug Stapleton. Museum admission. 217-782-7386

Faux Real Exhibition

Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through Dec. 20

M.G. Nelson Family Gallery

700 N. Fourth Street, Springfield Springfield Area

Free.

Art & Architecture

Mixed media pieces by artist Anna Kell, an associate professor of Art and Art History at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. 217-523-2631

Santa House

Saturdays, Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Continues through Dec. 20

Robin Roberts Stadium

1415 N. Grand Ave. E., Springfield North Side

Children's Corner, Holiday Happenings

The Springfield Park District tradition continues in 2019 when Santa will arrive at his home away from the North Pole at Robin Roberts Stadium. A local tradition for more than 40 years! This is a great opportunity for the kiddos to see Santa, snap a photo yourself for free or let us take one for you for only $5.00. You can bring your pups, too so they can get a photo with Santa as well! December 7th - December 22nd Robin Roberts Stadium, Springfield, IL Mondays - Fridays: 5:00pm - 8:00pm Saturdays & Sundays: 11:00am - 6:00pm $5.00 photos with… 217-753-0700

Winter Holiday Floral Show

Saturdays, Sundays, 12-5 p.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 12-4 p.m. Continues through Dec. 22

Washington Park Botanical Garden

1740 W. Fayette Ave., Springfield Leland Grove

Nature, Science & Environment

217-546-4116

Annual Membership Exhibition

Thursdays-Saturdays, 12-7 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through Dec. 18

SAA Collective Gallery

420 S. Sixth St., Springfield Downtown

Free

Art & Architecture

The gallery will be filled with new works by all the SAA Collective artists. Artists have also included holiday-inspired art in our annual holiday shop. 217-544-2787

Downtown Holiday Walk

Wednesdays, Saturdays. Continues through Dec. 21

Downtown Springfield

No Address, Springfield Downtown

Holiday Happenings

A variety of events through the season through Dec. 21. downtownspringfield.org.

Tree of Wishes

Mondays-Sundays, 4-9 p.m. Continues through Dec. 15

White Oaks Mall

2501 Wabash Ave., Springfield West Side

Bulletin Board

Tree of Wishes is a four week program that benefits 12 local nonprofit agencies to provides hundreds of gifts to people of all ages in the Springfield area. Participating is easy! Find us at White Oaks Mall outside of the lower level former Sears entrance. Select a card from the tree, purchase items from the wish list and return unwrapped gifts to the tree by December 15th. Share the holiday spirit with those in need! Extended hours on weekends and the day after Thanksgiving. 217-528-8406

Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights

Fridays-Sundays, 5-9 p.m. Continues through Dec. 29

Henson Robinson Zoo

1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., Springfield Lake Springfield Area

Holiday Happenings

Stroll through the zoo as you admire the light displays. Enjoy some hot beverages or fresh sweets while you warm up near the bonfire. 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. 217-585-1821

Old School New School

Saturdays, 8-11:59 p.m. Continues through Feb. 29

Coonrod's Bar

1035 N. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield Springfield Area

Free

Live Music

Come over to Coonrod's Saturdays and hear and request all of your favorite New School and Old School Jams! Gets started at 8, share with all of your friends!!!! 572-1765

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Sun., Dec. 15, 2 p.m.

Springfield Theatre Centre

420 S. Sixth St., Springfield Downtown

Theater & Comedy, Holiday Happenings

A beloved American holiday classic, the story of idealistic George Bailey comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. 217-523-2787

Debbie Cakes Karaoke

Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. Continues through Jan. 4

Northern Lights Lounge

500 N. Dirksen Pkwy., Springfield North Side

Live Music

217-522-2275

Xtreme Bar Bingo

Saturdays, 7-9 p.m.

Main Gate Bar & Grill

2143 N 11th St, Springfiedl North Side

Free

Bulletin Board

Free to Play & Win 217-528-8940

Gift Wrapping Station

Sun., Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m.

Jacksonville Public Library

201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville Jacksonville

free

Holiday Happenings

Get away from home and wrap those presents for your loved ones at the library's gift wrapping station. All materials are supplied and the event is free but registration is required; please call 217-243-5435 to sign up. 217-243-5435

NCR

Sun., Dec. 15, 2-5 p.m.

Danenberger Family Vineyards

12341 Irish Road, New Berlin Out-of-town

Live Music

NCR: * Jessica Dooley - Vocals & Guitar * Chris Harris - Bass Guitar & Vocals * Allan Harris - Lead Guitar & Vocals * Josh Hutchison - Lead Guitar & Vocals * Tim Lynn - Drums +12174886321

California Jeff

Sun., Dec. 15, 2-5 p.m.

Vixen Hill Winery

7331 Palmyra Road, Palmyra Out-of-town

Free

Live Music

Bring new, child-sized hats and/or gloves to this very special California Jeff winter extravaganza. The items will be donated to a local elementary school and will make some kids very happy and warm this winter. Jeff welcomes very special guests, Lenny and Molly, to help him celebrate the season with a festive set of holiday music. Ok, so they'll probably play Jingle Bells & call it good. Just help some kids out, will ya? Hats and gloves can also be dropped of at Abe's Hideout on Dirksen any time this month. 217-691-4331

Christmas Whistle Stop Tour

Sun., Dec. 15, 2-4:30 p.m.

Chatham Presbyterian Church

1835 E. Walnut St., Chatham Chatham

free

Holiday Happenings, Children's Corner

Free event for the family. Our Station Stops include a live, interactive nativity, free photos with Santa, model train room and Simply Fair Gifts shop. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served. 217-483-4204