Upcoming events.
Sing-Along Messiah Concert
Apollo Chorus of Chicago-led sing-along performance Join us for a sing-along Messiah experience featuring members of the renowned Apollo Chorus of Chicago. Musical scores will be available for purchase. A free-will offering will be collected to help fund Housing Forward's mission to end homelessness in western Cook County.
Learn more here: https://www.firstumcoakpark.org/events/
Winter Break Cooking + Baking Camps for Kids @ Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio
WINTER COOKING CAMP - AGES 5-11 YRS REGISTER KIDDOS FOR A VERY PLAYFUL DAY IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE KITCHEN! In the morning, campers make their own lunch and in the afternoon they make their own dessert! Out focus is on fun skill building and lots of hands on cooking and baking. The day is packed with fun activities including games, crafts, and free playtime. If the weather cooperates, we'll head to the local park after lunch for some outdoor time. It's a day full of creativity, cooking and play. AGES 5-11
DECEMBER: 23, 26, 27, 30 JANUARY: 2, 3 + 6 (1/2 day on 12/31) Register for one or several! 9AM-3PM
REGISTER https://www.iloveschoolhouse.com/
Blue Christmas
Not feeling 'merry and bright' this holiday season? Join us for a specal gathering meant for you. The sanctuary will be open for private prayer and meditation starting at 6:00pm. At 6:30, the Pastor will lead prayers and scripture readings in this service of hope for the hurting. https://www.firstumcoakpark.org/events/
Pachanga Navideña!
Pachanga Navideña! Let's celebrate the Holidays Cafe Cubano Style. Live music! $5 Cuba Libres! Complementary Turrones!
Santa Saturday at OPJ
Santa Saturday at Oak Park Jewelers is BACK for year 3! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of festive fun—visit Santa, grab cookies + hot cocoa from Blackout Baking Co., and shop for a great cause. A portion of the day’s proceeds will go to our amazing friends at Wonder Works Children's Museum. RSVP now at oakparkjewelers.com!
Holiday Makers Market with Santa on the Rooftop
The fourth annual Holiday Makers Market at One Lake Brewing (1 Lake Street) features a variety of local artists and makers for all of your shopping needs. Come out to pick up some unique goods and take a photo with Santa on the rooftop! For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1207800070525188
A Concert of Holiday Favorites
Join us as Julian Davis Reid with his ensemble Circle of Trust, featuring Tramaine Parker, vocalist, offer treasured religious and secular songs of the season with jazz and gospel flair!
Freewill offering will benefit neighboring music education programs.
NF Hope Concert for Neurofibromatosis
Chicago's 5th Annual NF Hope Concert is Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3:00 PM at our new home, the Madison Street Theater in Oak Park, IL. The spectacular afternoon of entertainment will raise awareness and financial support for the Neurofibromatosis Network. This year, we are presenting our very first holiday NF Hope Concert with THE FOUR C NOTES and Chicago Med's JESSY SCHRAM.
Get tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/5e2a3j2e
Free Photos and Scavenger Hunt with Santa
Come in and enjoy free photos with Santa, sample candy and do a holiday scavenger hunt around the store.
Handmade & Vintage Holiday Market
Come out and support local producers, artisans, and makers at this market hosted by Tomato Lady at the Oak Park Friends School, Arts District location (902 S. Ridgeland).
Check out the link for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1225289015191640/1225289021858306/
Winterfest 2024
Hosted by Downtown Oak Park, this event includes a free screening of Elf at the Lake Theatre, carols, live performances, a visit from Santa, and the yearly Cookie Walk. Information, including times and locations of the various events, can be found here: https://www.downtownoakpark.net/event/winterfest-cookie-walk/
Holiday Artisan Market & Cookie Walk
Support the Pilgrim Community Preschool Scholarship Fund and shop till you drop at this free holiday event. Browse a variety of local artisans and take part in the Cookie Walk for a day full of family-friendly fun!
More information about the event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1127688342250661
The Gingerbread Ball
The Madison Street Theatre presents two of the area’s finest retro cover bands performing a medley of classic rock and holiday songs.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at: https://madisonstreettheater.org/event/4873/
Holiday Bazaar
Animal Care League’s annual Holiday Bazaar is happening at a new location this year, the Liberty Cultural Center at 6445 27th Place in Berwyn, IL. All proceeds from this event go to benefit the Oak Park animal shelter and provide care to the animals housed there.
Details about the market can be found here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/FmW/
Holiday Housewalk & Market
Participate in the long-standing tradition that is the OPRF Infant Welfare Society Holiday Housewalk and Market! With two different days, there is plenty of fun to be had checking out the decorated homes and shopping at the market.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://oprfiws.org/holiday-housewalk
Frosty Affair
Get ready for a magical holiday experience at the Frosty Affair! This event brings our community together for a day filled with local shopping, entertainment, and festive fun to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Here’s what attendees can look forward to:
Complimentary Gift Wrap – Shop to your heart's content and enjoy free gift-wrapping to add that extra touch of cheer to your holiday presents.
Photos with Santa – Capture memories with a visit to Santa himself! Perfect for families and anyone feeling the holiday spirit.
Live Entertainment – Keep the holiday energy high with performances including local music, carolers, and dance routines to make the day unforgettable.
In addition to these interactive features, we have a fantastic lineup of local vendors confirmed to showcase their unique offerings.
Enjoy our 360 bar featuring wine and beer to keep the holiday spirit flowing! Cheers to making holiday memories at the Frosty Affair!
Bring your friends and family, and let's make this holiday season one to remember. Every purchase supports local businesses, keeping our community vibrant and strong. See you at the Frosty Affair – where we’re keeping the cheer right here in Oak Park!
Breakfast with Santa
Warm up with a cozy breakfast and enjoy visiting with Santa at Egg Harbor Café, located at 1111 South Boulevard.
Information for this event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1746517819420219/
Holiday Makeup for the perfect “Selfie”
Holiday "Selfie" Makeup Class
Come join us for a fun and interactive makeup class perfect for the holiday season! Learn how to create stunning looks that will make your selfies pop. Whether you're a makeup pro or a beginner, this class is for everyone. Our talented instructors will teach you tips and tricks to enhance your natural beauty. Get ready to slay those holiday selfies!
Location: 7321 W North Ave
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to level up your makeup game just in time for the holidays. Grab your friends and reserve your spots now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-selfie-makeup-class-tickets-1075393804819
Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night!
Madison Street Theater:
Did Santa babysit the baby Jesus? Why were the Three Wise Men so lost? The answers to these and other humorous questions are answered in the hit holiday comedy CHRISTMAS BINGO: IT’S A HO-HO-HOLY NIGHT. Written by Vicki Quade, one of the creators of the hit comedy Late Nite Catechism, CHRISTMAS BINGO brings together two of the best things about being Catholic: Christmas and Bingo.
The show features the character of Mrs. Mary Margaret O’Brien, a former nun and current bingo caller. In this interactive comedy, audience members play bingo while also answering questions about Christmas traditions, the origin of St. Nick, where do candy canes come from, miracles in the Bible, and a clever re-creation of the Annunciation, complete with audience members in angel wings and halos.
Shop Small Celebration in the Hemingway District & Tree Lighting
Celebrate the season at the Shop Small Celebration in the Hemingway District on Saturday, November 30th! From 10 AM to 5 PM, enjoy festive activities like ornament making, letters to Santa with a special mailbox sponsored by the Collaboration for Early Childhood, and a selfie photo station. Start your holiday charm bracelet adventure at Scoville Square and collect charms from local businesses as you explore. Stop by the Hemingway District Table inside Scoville Square for information on area businesses and nonprofits, and spin the wheel for a chance to win gift cards! Savor sweet treats and warm drinks throughout the day with specials from Mulata Kitchen + Coffee, Café Cubano, A Movable Roast, and Spilt Milk Pastry. End the day with the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 4:30 PM outside Scoville Square, featuring a beautifully lit tree sponsored by the Hemingway District and local partners. Don’t miss this day of shopping, community, and holiday cheer in the heart of Oak Park!
Gingerbread People Party - a Baking Class for Families
We welcome the season with one of our favorite recipes - GINGERBREAD COOKIES. Enjoy a morning in the kitchen with your young chefs making homemade GINGERBREAD DOUGH. They will discover the "sweet smells of the season" while we measure and mix our dough and roll it out to create gingerbread people, stars, trees and more. While cookies are in the oven we'll sip on hot cocoa and decorate our cookie boxes. Each registration includes 1 adult and 1 child for $60. Please register for a second child if you'd like in the registration process for $25 each. Ages 2.5+
Register: www.iloveschoolhouse.com
Winter Wonderland: Holiday Pop-up
Step into a cozy, retro-inspired holiday wonderland at our Winter Wonderland Pop-Up, part of The Village of Oak Park's and The OPRF Chamber’s Keep the Cheer Here Campaign! This magical event is being hosted in the new home of Dandelion Bookshop, one of Oak Park’s newest retail gems, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities.
Small Business Saturday
Come over to Downtown Oak Park to help celebrate all things small business! Specials and promotions for this event can be found at: https://www.downtownoakpark.net/event/small-business-saturday/
Thanksgiving Cupcake Wars @ Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio
Young bakers will design 6 cupcakes with a Thanksgiving theme! They will have a blast using candies, cookies, frosting and sprinkles to create a flock of goofy turkeys or whatever they like! We'll have plenty of creative inspo on hand. Each child will make 6 cupcakes to take home in a bakery box to share. ages 5+ Register www.iloveschoolhouse.com