Plenty of Holiday Happenings to keep your family entertained this season
Editor's note: Try as we might to make this list complete, we know it is not. To give us notice of your "holiday happening" so we can publish it in our newspapers, please email us at comments@localsouthernnews.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
• Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker: 7 p.m. at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza. World class Russian artists, hand-painted sets. $28-$102. marionccc.com/moscow-ballet-great-russian-nutcracker-nov-27/.
Thursday, Nov. 29
• Holiday Craft Fair: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, SIU Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
• Mozart Coronation Mass: 7-9 p.m. at the SIUC Voice Area, 1000 S. Normal Ave., Carbondale. The SIU Concert Choir accompanied by SISO with featured soloists Brittany Benningfield, soprano; Natalie Krupansky, mezzo-soprano; Brett Potts, tenor; and David Dillard, bass..
Friday, Nov. 30
• Holiday Craft Fair: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., SIU Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive.
• Marion Rotary Club 'A Semi-Formal Affair': 5:30-9 p.m. at Kokopelli Golf Club Restaurant. Four-course gourmet dinner with music by Mel Goot and a Christmas concert by the Benyas Quartet. $75; event is fundraiser for the Marion VA, VFW and American Legion. Tickets: Bill, (618) 694-2435 or Kathy, (618) 998-2010.
• Murphysboro Hometown Christmas and Tree Lighting: 6-8 p.m. at Town Center Park, 1850 Walnut St., Murphysboro. Music, carriage rides, hot cocoa, popcorn, free arts & crafts and Santa's cottage opens at 7 p.m. Key Club is requesting new or gently used toys and children's coats (not adults), and canned food.
• 'Bad Santa': 7 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1
• Java Fest: 8 a.m.-noon, at Artspace 304, 304 W. Walnut St. Sample coffee from local brewers and shops.
• Santa Speedo 5K Run/Walk: 8:30 a.m.-noon. Life Community Center, 2500 W. Sunset, Carbondale. Hosted by Jackson County Health Dept.; official timer is River to River. $30-$35. w<span class="Hyperlink">ww.runsignup.com</span>
• Holiday Craft Fair: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., SIU Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive.
• Holiday Pet Photos: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pure Pet, 2355 Sweets Drive, Suite J, Carbondale. $20. No appointment needed; fee includes a digital photo image, bandanna and cookie.
• Pet Photos With Santa: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rural King, 1702 W. Main St., Carbondale. Dogs and cats get photos taken with Santa/Mrs. Claus. $7. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier. (618) 529-8618.
• Alternative Gift Fair: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Ave.
• TubaChristmas Carbondale: 2-4 p.m. at University Mall Carbondale, 1237 E. Main St. Conducted by Jessica Butler, lecturer in low brass at the SIU School of Music.
• Boys and Girls Club Chili Dinner: 4-6 p.m. Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Ave. $5 in advance/at the door.
• Cookie Walk: 4-6 p.m. in downtown Carbondale, start at the Carbondale Main Street office, walk along Illinois Avenue. (618) 529-8040.
• Letters to Santa: 4-6 p.m. at the Old Passenger Depot, 121 S. Illinois Ave. Letter writing to Santa and hot chocolate.
• Meet a Reindeer and Mrs. Claus: 4-7 p.m. at the Town Square Pavilion, Carbondale.
• Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade: 6 p.m. along Illinois Avenue. Additional parking at SIU Pulliam Hall, and free shuttle bus from University Mall and Murdale Shopping Center. www.lightsfantasticparade.com.
• Prophecy (the TSO Experience): 7:30 p.m., Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza. The group Prophecy recreates the Christmas extravaganza of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with costumes, choreography, music, lasers and fog. The only TSO-sanctioned show. $18-$32. marionccc.com/trans-siberian-tribute18/.
Sunday, Dec. 2
• Christmas Stroll: 2-4 p.m. at the Harrison/Bruce Historical Village at John A. Logan College, Carterville. Join costumed villagers for a Yuletide walk through southern Illinois in the 1800s, music a, sweet treats and a visit from St. Nicholas. Free and open to the public.
• Traditional Swedish Christmas Dinner: 6 p.m., at Hedman Vineyard, 560 Chestnut St., Alto Pass. Features locally sourced ingredients paired with estate grown wines. Reservations required, $65.50 + tax and gratuity. (618) 893-4921.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
• SIU High School Winds/Percussion Festival Concert: 7 p.m. at Shryock Auditorium at SIU. The daylong festival culminates in an evening concert featuring the Honor Wind Symphony and SIU Wind Ensemble. Free.
Friday, Dec. 7
• 1940s Radio Christmas: 10 a.m.-noon and 7-9 p.m., at John A. Logan College, Carterville. The Logan College Choral and Chamber Ensembles presents an evening full of the nostalgic sounds of the season. $10-$15, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3606780.
• 'Love, Actually': 7 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8
• 1940s Radio Christmas: 7-9 p.m., at John A. Logan College, Carterville. The Logan College Choral and Chamber Ensembles present the nostalgic sounds of the season. $10-$15, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3606780.
• The Drifters: 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion. One of rock & roll's founding vocal groups, in concert. $30-$45. https://marionccc.com/drifters18/.
Sunday, Dec. 9
• Lorrie Morgan's Enchanted Christmas: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion. Morgan is a country music star and cast member of the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets, $29-$78; marionccc.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Jude's.
Monday, Dec. 10
• A Christmas Spectacular: 6-9 p.m. at the Marion Civic and Cultural Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion. High Image Dance Mini Company, 6 p.m. ($5 tickets) and High Image Dance Jr. & Sr. Company, 7:30 p.m. ($7 tickets). Tickets at http://marionccc.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
• 'Scrooged': 7 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Dec. 15
• The Very Merry Christmas Tour: 7 p.m. show, at Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion. Tickets, $20-$23. Featuring Newsong, Colton Dixon and Unspoken. marionccc.com/newsong-vmct-on-sale-18/.
• Jermaine Bollinger Christmas Duo: 7-10 p.m. at Walker's Bluff Tasting Room, 326 Vermont Road, Carterville.
• Ivas John's 8th annual Blue Christmas: 7-10 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. Holiday concert celebrating the music of Southern Illinois, featuring The Ivas John Band with Tawl Paul, The Gordons, Robert Bowlin and Wil Maring, The Jewels, The Venturis, Free Range Chicks, Shadi Frick, more. $18; tickets at the LIFE Community Center or Plaza Records. Info: (618) 549-4222.
Monday, Dec. 17
• Santa's Workshop: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Carruthers Elementary School, 80 Candy Lane, Murphysboro. Annual shopping event for students.
Friday, Dec. 21
• Santa at the Sallie Logan Library: 4-5:30 p.m. at the Library, 1808 Walnut St., Murphysboro. 4 p.m. Story Time with Santa; 4:15-5:30 p.m. Pictures with Santa (bring your camera), free crafts and snacks; 5:45-6:15 p.m. movie, "Frosty the Snowman" with free popcorn. Info: (618) 684-3271.
• 'Christmas Vacation': 7 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
• Sandi Patty/A Family Christmas: 7 p.m. at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion. Sandi, her husband, Don, and their children take the audience on a musical journey through Christmas. $25-$75. https://www.itickets.com/events.
Saturday, Dec. 22
• Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House: 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Cristaudo's & 6Pence, 209 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $35/person includes a house, supplies, mentoring by our bakers, coffee, cocoa and cookies. Space limited; reservations necessary. Call (618) 529-4303.
• 'White Christmas': 2 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
• 'It's a Wonderful Life': 7 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 23
• Brunch With Santa: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Walker's Bluff, 326 Vermont Road, Carterville. Brunch buffet. Make reservations at (618) 956-9900.
• 'It's a Wonderful Life': 2 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
• 'White Christmas': 7 p.m. at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. $7 ($5/students) available in advance at www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com or at the doors starting at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 31
• New Year's Eve Celebration: 4 p.m.-1 a.m. at Walker's Bluff Tasting Room, 326 Vermont Road, Carterville. Live Dueling Pianos, heavy appetizer buffet from 6-9 p.m. and a late night snack station at 11 p.m. $75-$95. nyeatwalkersbluff.eveitebrite.com.</group><group id="AEE48DB6-1FBB-49A5-99D0-E890CFA0658E" type="seoLabels"><seoLabels></seoLabels></group></idf></inlineXML>