There is something to do for all interests this weekend in Chicago Southland. Whether you’re looking to shop, celebrate the holiday season or run off everything you ate, you will find it just beyond the city limits.

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Shopping

You’ll want to explore all of the “SHOPPERTUNITIES” in Chicago Southland on Black Friday, where there are deals a plenty!

But if you really want a bang for your buck, Shop Small on Saturday, November 28th. CLICK HERE to read about all the shop small happenings!

Friday, November 27th
JERRY ROSSEN PUBLIC AUCTIONS
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 997-0245
Auctions will include antiques, collectibles, furniture and more!
6PM

Saturday, November 28th
SHOP OAK LAWN EVERY DAY
Oak Lawn Metra Station & Oak Lawn Public Library
9525 South Tulley Avenue & 9427 South Raymond Avenue, Oak Lawn
(708) 424-8300
This free event encourages community members to shop Oak Lawn businesses every day. Featuring trolley rides, vendor fair, kids’ activities, food, face painting and more.
12-3PM

Saturday, November 28th
SHOP SMALL EARLY BIRD EVENT
Frankfort Historic District
123 Kansas Street, Frankfort
(815) 469-3356
Shop small and start the day off by picking up a free canvas bag and merchant list at Build-A-Bun, Pickwick Tearoom or White Street Cafe.
8AM-12PM

Holiday Happenings

Friday, November 27th - Sunday, November 29th
SANTA IS WAITING AT ORLAND SQUARE MALL
Orland Square
288 Orland Square, Orland Park
(708) 349-1646
Book your reservation with Santa at Orland Square Mall!
F & Sa 10AM-8PM; Su 11:30AM-4:30PM

Friday, November 27th - Sunday, November 29th
SANTA AT RIVER OAKS CENTER
River Oaks Center
96 River Oaks Center Drive, Calumet City
(708) 868-5574
It's time for holiday photos with Santa at River Oaks Center!
F & Sa 10AM-8PM; Su 11AM-6PM

Friday, November 27th
SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS ARRIVE/TREE LIGHTING & TASTE OF THE HOLIDAY
Park Plaza
Ridge Road & Grant Street, Lansing
(708) 474-4170
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck, greet children and promenade to the Lansing Christmas tree on Park Plaza, then light the tree. Santa house opens for visitors. Taste of the Holidays inside American Legion will be from 5-7PM.
6PM

Saturday, November 28th - Sunday, November 29th
PHOTOS WITH SANTA AT CHICAGO RIDGE MALL
Chicago Ridge Mall
444 Chicago Ridge Mall, Chicago Ridge
(708) 499-0840
Photos With Santa! Celebrate the holiday at Chicago Ridge Mall with a memorable visit with Santa! Various photo packages are available.
Sa 10AM-9PM; Su 11AM-6PM

Saturday, November 28th - Sunday, November 29th
STEP BACK INTO A 1950s CHRISTMAS EXHIBIT
1950s Park Forest House Museum
227 Monee Road, Park Forest
(708) 481-4252
This nostalgic look at Christmas Past is decorated in vintage Christmas, including Gurley Candles and rotating metal Black Forest Green tree.
By appointment; call about regular hours

Saturday, November 28th
16TH ANNUAL SPIRIT OF THORNTON TOWNSHIP
Thornton Township
333 East 162nd Street, South Holland
(708) 596-6040 x3168
Join Thornton Township as we welcome Santa and light the Christmas trees, a total of 18 trees, refreshments served, public welcome.
5:30-9PM

Saturday, November 28th
SANTA ON THE GREEN
Village Green
9446 Raymond Avenue, 94th & Cook Avenue, Oak Lawn
(708) 499-7837
Santa on the green is a great family event! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to hear children's wish lists. Bring your camera!
12-3PM

Saturday, November 28th
CHRISTMAS IN THE SQUARE & FESTIVAL OF TREES
Central Square
222 East Ninth Street, Lockport
(815) 838-1183
Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate the holidays at the Annual Christmas in the Square Event. Come visit Santa and his reindeer live from the North Pole. The tree lighting ceremony will be at 4:30PM on the front lawn of Central Square.
1:30-4:30PM

Sunday, November 29th
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL & MAYOR'S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 403-6150
Kick-off the holiday season with the Mayor's annual holiday festival! Enjoy an afternoon of sleigh rides, face painting, live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus! Tree lighting outside village hall begins at 5:45PM.
3-6PM

Sunday, November 29th
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TEA
Gladys Fox Museum
231 East Ninth Street, Lockport
(815) 838-1183
Lockport's Annual Christmas Tea features tea sandwiches and a variety of homemade Christmas cookies (to eat there and take home), Christmas music and a homemade Christmas quilt will be given away. You will also take home a special Christmas tea cup. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas Trees from the Festival of Trees.
1:30-3PM

Family Fun

Friday, November 27th-Sunday, November 29th
FAMILY FUN EVENT
Ice Arena
9320 South Kenton Avenue, Oak Lawn
(708) 857-5173
This annual event includes family Open Skate, music provided by our DJ, performances by competitive skaters, assistance for new skaters in our Beginner Area, and discounts on upcoming programs. Come early as this has become a very popular family event!
1-3:30PM

 

Eat, Drink and Enjoy Music

Saturday, November 28th
BEER, FOOD TRUCKS & MUSIC
Hailstorm Brewing Co.
8060 186th Street, Tinley Park
(708) 247-3757
The Molly Rose Trio will be at Hailstorm starting at 6:30 PM with classic jazz standards and jazzified pop covers. Pierogi Street Food Truck will be here at 5:30 PM. Hailstorm will hopefully still have barrel aged beers on tap.
5:30-8:30PM

Explore Nature

Saturday, November 28th
THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
The landscape of Illinois used to be 60% prairie. Come learn about the history of prairies in our state and then join a naturalist to see a restored prairie. This will be Sand Ridge's final program for the Fall season! They'll also take a look at our own prairie to see plants being preserved today.
1:30PM

 

Learn Something New

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 27th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Sports

Saturday, November 28th
SPORTS COLLECTIBLE SHOW
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 423-1758
Sports Collectible Show featuring sports cards, NASCAR, toys, comic books, collectible cards and more.
9AM-2PM

Sunday, November 29th
THE CARRAIG CHALLENGE 5K
Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 West 147th Street, Oak Forest
(708) 687-9323
The Carraig Challenge is an annual 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk held annually on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Awards are presented according to age group. Every participant receives a souvenir t-shirt. After the race, runners and walkers are welcome to complimentary soup and rolls and a beverage of choice. Discount registration pricing is available for families and students. New in 2015 – Team Competition with a 1st Place Award!
10:30AM

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar of events.