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December 1 & 2

"A Christmas Carol"

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park
201 W. Jefferson at Bluff St., Joliet
Tuesday and Wednesday matinees
9:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m.

Hilarious duo involve audience with bit parts, sound effects and goofy props. Great field trip for pre-school through junior high. Reservations required, all seats $3. 815/724-3760 (Park) www.bicentennialpark.org

December 4

Kansas

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N.Chicago St., Joliet
8:00 p.m.

Legendary rock band Kansas broke out in the 1970's with hit singles "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust In The Wind." The band's style of songwriting mixed classical, hard rock, progressive rock and pop in a way that had not been done before. They have remained a classic rock radio staple and a popular touring act. Call box office at 815-726-6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for tickets and info.

December 5

33rd Annual Festival of the Gnomes

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park
201 W. Jefferson at Bluff St., Joliet
Shows 1:00 p.m. & 3:30 pm

Live show, crafts, music and more celebrate gnomes who do good works for man and nature. All seats $3. 815/724-3760 (Park) or www.bicentennialpark.org

Jingle Bell 5k Race

Prairie Bluff Golf Club
19433 W Renwick Rd., Crest HIll
7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Jingle Bell 5k race is certified and accurately marked and measured. The course features mostly rolling terrain with a few hills on paved roads and fairways, through scenic Prairie Bluff Golf Course. All participants will receive an official 5k race t-shirt, be entered in the raffle and enjoy the post-race party including chili lunch, cookies, and hot chocolate. $25 (pre-race) till 12-2 $30 race day. www.lockportpark.org

That's Amore - Dean Martin & Friends

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
8:00 p.m.

Mark Adams captures perfectly the style, the looks, the charm, the voice and the magnetic appeal of Dean Martin. To re-live the romance in your life, come along and join Dino, the Golddiggers and the Barry Robinson Orchestra live on stage for a very special night to remember. Call box office at 815-726-6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for more information and tickets.

Santa in the Greenhouse

Bird Haven Greenhouse
225 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
Noon - 3:00 p.m.

Bring your camera and capture the magic of your special people with Santa in our beautiful holiday Greenhouse. FREE www.jolietpark.org

December 6

North Pole A Looza

KidsWork Children's Museum
11 S. White St., Frankfort
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Kick off the holiday season at KidsWork Children's Museum! Decorate your own gingerbread house, enjoy special refreshments and play at this winter-wonderland event. $7 per child, $4.00 for members (Children under 1 year and adults are free). To reserve your space, call 815-469-1199 or register on-line at www.kidsworkchildrensmuseum.org. Hosted by the KidsWork Children's Museum Youth Advisory Committee

Candy Cane Holiday Brunch

Joliet Park District Multi-Purpose Center
3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy a special brunch prepared by "Traditions". Afterwards we will hunt for candy canes and other wonderful peppermint treats. There will also be a very special visitor from the North Pole so don't forget your camera. Pre-registration is necessary. Everyone needs to be registered to enter event. $15 per person. www.jolietpark.org or phone 815.741-7275.

December 11

Dinner with Santa

Barber & Oberwortmann Horticultural Center
227 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy an enchanted winter eventing with Santa and experience the Greenhouse in all its winter splendor. Great food, friends, and a celebration of the season with Santa. Crafts caroling and fun! $15 per person; 2 and under free. www.jolietpark.org

December 12

Breakfast with Santa

Barber & Oberwortmann Horticultural Center
227 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Join us for a family friendly breakfast, a visit with Santa, games and crafts. A true family tradition! $10 per person; 2 and under free. www.jolietpark.org

Holiday Open House

Downtown Plainfield
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Enjoy breakfast or lunch with Santa, get some holiday shopping done, and have your gifts wrapped at the gift-wrapping station. Enjoy many other holiday activities including carriage rides, carolers, and holiday story time. MainStreet Plainfield, Inc., 815- 436-5510, www.mainstreetplainfield.org

Brunch with Santa

Barber & Oberwortmann Horticultural Center
227 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Come and enjoy a family treat for all with a visit from Santa, good food, crafts and holiday fun. What more could your family want? $10 per person; 2 and under free. www.jolietpark.org

Santa in the Greenhouse

Bird Haven Greenhouse
225 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Bring your camera and capture the magic of your special people with Santa in our beautiful holiday Greenhouse. FREE www.jolietpark.org

December 13

Christmas Tea

Gladys Fox Museum
231 E. 9th St., Lockport
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sample a variety of teas from around the world with musical entertainment. Take home a lovely tea cup. Teas provided by Starbucks. Ages 18 and older. Fee $10/residents, $15/non residents. Call 815-838-1183, ext 20 for info.

December 15

The Osmond Brothers

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
7:30 p.m.

They have practically lived on a stage, thrilling many millions of people with their brand of entertainment! The Osmonds perform all styles of music from barbershop, pop, rock, country, and jazz! The Osmonds are celebrating their 50th year in entertainment and they just keep getting better and better! There seems to be no end in sight! The Osmond Brothers Christmas Show includes Wayne, Jay, Jimmy & Merrill Osmond. Call the box office at 815-726-6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for tickets and more information.

December 16

Cirque Dreams Illumination

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
8:00 p.m.

From the creators of the groundbreaking BROADWAY HIT Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy comes an all new journey of nighttime dreamers whose imaginations are ignited within a landscape of towering buildings and infinite possibilities. Audiences of all ages will marvel and experience a journey of city dwellers who reinvent everyday objects, balance beyond belief, delicately dangle from wires, leap tall buildings and redefine the risks of flight in an array of astounding occurrences that transform the ordinary into extraordinary. Call box office at 815-726-6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for tickets and more information.

December 17

Dinner & A Lecture: To Be Announced

Gaylord Building Historic Site
200 W. 8th Street, Lockport
6:00 p.m. Cash Bar Reception
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Lecture

Guest have an entrée choice of either roast free range turkey covered with gravy and served with sage dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed sweet potatoes and sauté of vegetable medley; or marinated beef tips with peppers, onions, mushrooms and red wine demi glaze, and served over wild rice mix. Decadent chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce will be served for dessert. Admission is $31 for members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Canal Corridor Association; or $37 for non-members. Reservations are required. For more info call 815-838-9400.

December 18

It's a Wonderful Life

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
7:00 p.m.

Be taken back in time as NextMedia presents a live radio broadcast and theatre performance of It's A Wonderful Life. Tickets will benefit the Rialto Square Theatre's capital campaign - To Polish the Jewel of Joliet. Take the kids and grandkids to this multi-generational nostalgic performance. Experience first-hand how live radio broadcasts used to be made, while watching one of your favorite Christmas classics come to life on stage. The performance will be broadcast live on 1340 WJOL. Call the box office at 815-726-6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for tickets and more information.

December 19

Brunch with Santa

Prairie Bluff Golf Club - Banquet Room
19433 W. Renwick Rd., Crest Hill
1st breakfast: 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
2nd breakfast: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

We know Santa likes cookies and milk for a midnight snack, but what does he eat for breakfast? You and your family are invited to come make a holiday memory by sharing breakfast with Santa. Come early to reserve your seats. - Fee: 2-11 years old $9/r; $12/nr; 12 & up $12/r; $15/nr

Santa in the Greenhouse

Bird Haven Greenhouse
225 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet
Noon - 3:00 p.m.

Bring your camera and capture the magic of your special people with Santa in our beautiful holiday Greenhouse. FREE www.jolietpark.org