Events

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

603 S. Fifth St., Springfield Downtown

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

Design Ideas Holiday Store

Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Continues through Dec. 15

Shop 'n Save

1755 Wabash Ave., Springfield Jerome

Holiday Happenings

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…

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

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

Open mic with Jeff Young

Sun., Dec. 8, 6-10 p.m.

Coni's Pub

1008 E. Ash St., Springfield Springfield Area

Live Music

Jeff Young will be hosting this week's open jam. Drums, guitar amp, bass amp and PA system will be provided. Any and all musicians are welcome. You never know who might show up to play. 2176794175

Christmas Around Europe

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

Blackburn College

700 College Ave., Carlinville Out-of-town

Free.

Special Music Events

Blackburn College Choir and Blackburn Voices to Present Annual Christmas at Blackburn Concert November 21, 2019, Carlinville, IL – The Blackburn College Choir and Blackburn Voices will be presenting their annual “Christmas at Blackburn” concert. This year, the theme of the concert is “Christmas around Europe.” The concert will be he held on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in Clegg Chapel, located in Hudson Hall in the center of the Blackburn campus. This concert will feature Christmas music with rich European roots. Much of the music will feature the choir accompanied by Blackburn piano and organ faculty Dr… 854-3231

After School Special

Sun., Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m., Sun., Dec. 22, 2-5 p.m., Sun., Jan. 5, 2-5 p.m., Sun., Jan. 19, 2-5 p.m., Sun., Feb. 2, 2-5 p.m., Sun., Feb. 16, 2-5 p.m., Sun., March 1, 2-5 p.m., Sun., March 15, 2-5 p.m., Sun., March 29, 2-5 p.m. and Sun., April 26, 2-5 p.m.

Mama Lee's Sandbar

6111 Mechanicsburg Road, Springfield Out-of-town

Live Music

Acoustic duo of Aasne Daniels and Jerry Setnicky playing an assortment of acoustic tunes from a wide variety of artists. (217) 498-7625

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

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

Dave Littrell

Sun., Dec. 8, 4 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 22, 4 p.m.

Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum

600 Toronto Road, Springfield Springfield Area

Live Music

217-679-7323

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

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

Alateen and Al-Anon

Sundays, 6:30 p.m. Continues through Dec. 29

Real Life Church

2701 Hermitage Rd., Springfield East Side

Lectures & Meetings

Two separate group meetings that take place at the same time and location, but in different rooms. 217-502-6777. spi-alanon.weebly.com.

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