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Let the holidays begin: The Chronicle Holiday Guide calendar

Our annual guide to holiday events and activites in Homewood and Flossmoor, which first appeared in the Dec. 1 print edition.

Monday, Dec. 4
10:15 a.m. to noon, James Hart  School Chorus will perform a holiday concert at 11 a.m., preceded by fellowship and refreshments. All are welcome. Refreshments start at 10:15 a.m.; St. Andrew Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road, Homewood. Details at www.homewoodsaintandrew.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 5
6:30 p.m., Band concert given by the 7th and 8th Grade Band, Parker Junior High School, 2810 School St., Flossmoor.
7 to 8:15 p.m., Plant-based diet program led by Mary Ellen Pinzino, a certified plant-based nutritionist; Irwin Community Center, 18020 Highland Ave., Homewood. Details at 708-957-0300.
7 p.m., “A Christmas Journey,” Marian Catholic High School Christmas choir concert, free, Croarkin Theater at the school, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights. 

Thursday, Dec. 7
6:30 p.m., Winter Choral Concert, Parker Junior High School, 2810 School St., Flossmoor.
7 p.m., James Hart School holiday choir concert, 18220 Morgan Ave., Homewood.

Sat. Dec. 9
9 a.m., Gingerbread Creations: build a gingerbread house. Register by Dec. 5; $12 for H-F Park District residents, $18 for non-residents. Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood. Details at 708-957-0300.
9:30 a.m. to noon, HF Robotics hosts the Southern Division First Tech Challenge; teams meet at the Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pictures with Santa at Thomas Photographic Studios, 18705 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cookie Walk and Craft Sale featuring homemade cookies, candy and craft items made by church members and local artisans; St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road in Homewood. Details at www.homewoodsaintandrew.org or 708-798-8904.
1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Salt Creek Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Parkway in University Park. Tickets are $43, $36 and $28, and $18 for those 16 and younger. Details at 708-235-2222.
2 to 5 p.m., Winterfest Celebration in Flossmoor includes activities at the Flossmoor Public Library, a bonfire and visits with Santa in Flossmoor Park with a 5:15 p.m. tree and menorah lighting ceremony there. Information at flossmoor.org.
3 p.m., Holiday Tuba Concert at H-F High; free; Mall Auditorium.

Sunday, Dec. 10
8:30 and 11 a.m., Celebrate the Child Concert, with brunch from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 18324 Ashland Ave. Homewood. 
10 a.m. and noon, Join Santa for brunch at 10 a.m., or pizza or pasta at noon, for a special holiday event at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., Homewood. Tickets are $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 12 and younger. Reservations are required and can be made at 708-957-8774. 
10:45 a.m., “Silent Night! Holy Night!” Christmas cantata of traditional Christmas hymns and contemporary worship songs; Calvary Assembly of God Church, 18620 Governors Highway, Flossmoor. Details at 708-957-0986.
3 p.m., Holiday Choral Concert at H-F High; free; Mall Auditorium.
4 p.m., “A Very Merry Ole Grande Prairie Christmas,” carols and new music performed by the Grande Prairie Singers and Children’s Choir; St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 4101 St. Lawrence Ave., Matteson; $20 at the door.
5 p.m. dinner followed by a 6 p.m. program by Rabbi Andrew Shapiro Katz, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Scholar in Residence, on “Piety and the Modern Jew: How Do We Cultivate God-Consciousness and Do We Even Want To?” RSVP for the dinner by Dec. 4 to [email protected] or 708-249-6194. The event is free and open to all. Congregation Am Echad, 1424 W. 183rd St., Homewood.
7 p.m., “A Light in the Darkness” Advent Vespers Service, a contemplative worship experience including communion; Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchinson Road, Flossmoor.

Tuesday, Dec. 12
6:30 p.m., Heather Hill Winter Concert, Heather Hill School, 1439 Lawrence Crescent, Flossmoor.

Wednesday, Dec. 13
4:15 to 6:15 p.m., Hanukkah Crafts for Kids gives the history and tradition of this Jewish celebration and has kids 6 to 12 years old create Hanukkah crafts; $20 for H-F Park District residents, $25 for non-residents; Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood. Details at 708-957-0300.
6:30 p.m., Flossmoor Hills School Concert at Parker Junior High School, 2810 School St., Flossmoor. 

Thursday, Dec. 14
6:30 p.m., 5th and 6th Grade Band Concert at Parker Junior High School, 2810 School St., Flossmoor.

Friday, Dec. 15
5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Join Santa for a pizza and pasta holiday visit at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor. Adults are $13.95 and children 12 and younger are $7.95. Reservations are accepted at 708-957-8774.

Saturday, Dec. 16
Noon to 5 p.m. Holiday Open House & Bake Sale at South Suburban Humane Society, 1103 West End Ave., Chicago Heights. Photos with Santa, baked goods and merchant booths for Christmas shopping. Bring pets for photos with Santa if they are up to date on all of their vaccines.
3 p.m., Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra gives a “Holiday Pops Movie Music Spectacular” concert featuring medleys from the season’s favorite movies; Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Dr., Palos Heights. Ticket information is at 708-481-7774.
5:45 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. concert with the Chatham Choral Ensemble. Dinner and concert tickets are $25; concert tickets are $15. St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road, Homewood. Information and reservations at 708-798-8904.

Sunday, Dec. 17
10 a.m. and noon, Join Santa for brunch at 10 a.m., or pizza or pasta at noon, for a special holiday event at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. Tickets are $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 12 and younger. Reservations are required and can be made at 708-957-8774. 
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Celebrate the holidays with a visit with Santa at LaVoute Bistro, 2034 Ridge Road, Homewood. RSVP recommended. Guests can get their pets photographed with Santa and are encouraged to bring a donation of pet food, treats, toys for a local animal shelter. Details at 708-798-6000.
10:30 a.m., The Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Homewood will present a Christmas Cantata during the regular worship service with music by Lani Smith. Her “Sing Gloria” work seeks to perpetuate the spirit of singing and rejoicing with newly-wrought settings of old favorite carols, and new original selections; First Presbyterian Church, 17929 Gottschalk Ave., Homewood. Details at www.fpchw.org.
10:45 a.m., Christmas worship service with a children’s program, Calvary Assembly of God, 18620 Governors Highway, Flossmoor.

Tuesday, Dec. 19
4 to 7 p.m., Caroling, cookies and hot chocolate for all who enjoy Christmas caroling; bring cookies to share; FCC Community House, 847 Hutchinson Road, Flossmoor.  
7 p.m., Churchill School Choir Concert, 1300 190th St., Homewood.

Wednesday, Dec. 20
6:30 p.m., Flossmoor Hills Choir Concert at Flossmoor Hills School, 3721 Beech St., Flossmoor. 
7:30 p.m., James Hart School Gold Jazz Band entertains at Hackney’s, 12300 LaGrange Road in Palos Park.

Saturday, Dec. 23
7 p.m., Candlelight service for the Christmas holiday, Calvary Assembly of God, 18620 Governors Highway, Flossmoor. Details at 708-957-0986.

Sunday, Dec. 24
10 a.m., Family service with children’s participation nativity at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchinson Road, Flossmoor.
10:30 a.m., Worship service for Christmas Eve at First Presbyterian Church, 17929 Gottschalk Ave., Homewood.
10:30 a.m., Worship service focusing on the Advent Wreath and the theme of joy, St. Paul Community Church, 18200 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
7 p.m., Candlelight service for Christmas Eve night at First Presbyterian Church, 17929 Gottschalk Ave., Homewood. 
8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Candlelight services of lessons and carols at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchinson Road, Flossmoor.
9 p.m., Christmas Eve candlelight worship, St. Paul Community Church, 18200 Dixie Highway, Homewood.
10:30 p.m. to midnight, Christmas Eve Worship Service at South Suburban Vineyard Church, 3400 196th St., Flossmoor.

Saturday, Dec. 31
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Homewood hosts its annual Noon Year’s Eve Day Celebration for kids and families, including a balloon drop at noon; H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road, Homewood. Attendance limited to 300. Get tickets at village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.


Thanks to Mary Compton and Marilyn Thomas for compiling the calendar.

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