Events

Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and 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…

A Calvary Christmas

Sun., Dec. 8, 3-4:30 p.m.

Calvary Church Hazel Dell Campus

501 W. Hazel Dell Road, Springfield Springfield Area

Faith & Philosophy

Free. 217-546-9700

Franciscan Nativity Festival

Sun., Dec. 8, 2-7 p.m.

Chiara Center

4875 Laverna Road, Springfield East Side

Holiday Happenings

Saint Francis of Assisi's Feast of Feasts visualized through more than 100 nativity sets, each with unique history and significance. Free. 217-523-0901

Old State Capitol Holiday Music Performances

Wed., Dec. 11, 5:15 & 6:30 p.m., Sat., Dec. 14, 2:30 p.m., 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

The Polar Express

Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

Arlee Theater

139 S. Main St., Mason City Out-of-town

Children's Corner, Holiday Happenings, Theater & Comedy

Everyone can wear their pajamas and enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie while watching the movie, followed by a visit from Santa. Discounted advance tickets. 217-691-7229. 217-482-9999

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

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

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. 8, 2 p.m., Through Dec. 14, 8 p.m. and 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

The Lindsay Lounge: Faisal Mohyuddin

Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site

603 S. Fifth St., Springfield Downtown

Books & Authors

Faisal Mohyuddin is the author of The Displaced Children of Displaced Children (Eyewear, 2018) and the chapbook The Riddle of Longing (Backbone, 2017). His work has received an Illinois Arts Council Literary Award, the Edward Stanley Award from Prairie Schooner, a Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Prize, the Sexton Award and commendations from the Poetry Book Society and the Forward Arts Foundation. New work has appeared or is forthcoming in Chicago Quarterly Review, Shrew, Pleiades, and the anthologies The World I Leave You: Asian American Poets on Faith and Spirit (Orison Books) and New Moons: Contemporary Writing by North American Muslims (Red… 217-524-0901

First Sunday Holiday Bazaar

Sun., Dec. 8, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds

801 Sangamon Ave., Springfield North Side

$4 Adults, 12 and under free

Fairs & Festivals

Mimosas on the wine patio, samples of dips, sausages and sweet treats, music and fantastic holiday finds. APL will have adoptable pets and food vendors will be present. 217-725-8047

Christmas Cantata

Sun., Dec. 8, 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Springfield First United Methodist Church

2941 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield West Side

Holiday Happenings, Special Music Events, Faith & Philosophy

Hurry to Bethlehem. An assembly of choirs accompanied by a full orchestra. 217-793-9760

Pet Treats and Bow Ties

Sun., Dec. 8, 12:30 p.m.

Jacksonville Public Library

201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville Jacksonville

free

Bulletin Board

Pets deserve gifts for the holidays, too. Make pet treats and bow ties for your furry friends. Call to register. 217-243-5435

Stuart Smith

Sun., Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m.

Danenberger Family Vineyards

12341 Irish Road, New Berlin Out-of-town

Live Music

Special holiday #SundayFunday with Stuart Smith in our Sullivan's Lounge +12174886321

Lil Higgy and the House Reckers

Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

The Uptown Saloon

514 Elevator St., Farmersville Out-of-town

Live Music

Open mic with Buckhart Road

Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

Hand of Fate Brewing Company

107 E. Douglas St., Petersburg Out-of-town

Live Music

217-691-1098

Larry Dirks

Sun., Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m.

Hill Prairie Winery

23753 Lounsberry Road, Oakford Out-of-town

Live Music

Larry is no stranger to Hill Prairie. He knows how to get our crowd going. Come enjoy great music and a glass of wine or choose from our selection of cold beers. 217-635-9900

Christmas Open House

Sun., Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.

Illinois Presbyterian Home

2005 W. Lawrence, Springfield Springfield Area

free

Holiday Happenings

Refreshments & entertainment, NEW Christmas cards for only 10 cents each plus other Christmas decor sales, plus more. 217-546-5622

Antone

Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

Vixen Hill Winery

7331 Palmyra Road, Palmyra Out-of-town

Live Music

217-691-4331

Chris Camp and His Blues Ambassadors @ Pop's Place

Sun., Dec. 8, 3-6 p.m.

Pop's Place

4335 W. Main St., Decatur Out-of-town

No Cover

Live Music

Chris Camp and His Blues Ambassadors make a return trip to Pop's Place for an afternoon of blues, fun and more! 217-330-6546

Al Kitchen

Sun., Dec. 8, 4-7 p.m.

Trails End Saloon

6445 Old Route 54, Curran Out-of-town

free

Live Music

Live music 217-483-7078

Caroling at the Carillon

Sun., Dec. 8, 4 p.m.

Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon

1740 W. Fayette Ave., Springfield Leland Grove

Holiday Happenings

Sing holiday carols along with the sounds of the carillon. Keep warm by the bonfire. The Trinity Wind Ensemble will provide seasonal interludes. Cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. Free. 217-546-3853

Peaceful Moments

Sun., Dec. 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Springfield Baha'i Center

1131 S. Eighth St., Springfield Springfield Area

Free

Faith & Philosophy

De-stress with inspirational readings and meditation. Refreshments. 217-546-9171