McLean County Calendar of Events Dec. 12 – Dec. 19
December 11, 2018
Beauties and the Beat will perform Christmas Dreaming concert at Ewing Cultural Center on Dec. 16. (Photo courtesy of Beauties and the Beat)
DEC. 13
Lunch and Learn Slovak Christmas
Thurs. Noon
McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington
Free
Slovakia native and IWU faculty member Eva Ferguson will discuss the evolution of pre-pagan Christmas traditions in Slovakia. Enjoy traditional Slovak Christmas cookies and music. For more information, call 309-827-0428.
Christmas at the Broadview Mansion
Thurs. 6-8:15 p.m.
Broadview Mansion, 1301 S. Fell Ave., Normal
Free
Bring in the Christmas season with local music and art throughout the beautifully decorated Broadview Mansion. Come tour the mansion and enjoy amazing music and art. Shuttle service from Shirk Center’s east lot. For more information, call 309-452-6710.
DIY Holiday Gift Book Sleeve
Thurs. 10 a.m.-Noon & 6-8 p.m.
Normal Public Library, 206 W. College Ave.
Free
Join us to make a DIY book sleeve to give as a gift or keep for yourself! No sewing required! Please bring one yard of quilted fabric to use. Adults 18 and up, registration required. Visit normalpl.org/diy-holiday-gift-book-sleeve. For more information, call 309-452-1757.
DEC. 14
Drop & Shop, Parent’s Night Out
Fri. 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Miller Park Zoo, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington
Members, $20 first child, $16 each sibling
Non-members, $25 first child, $20 each sibling
Drop your kids off and finish your Christmas shopping. Kids will make two presents to bring home. Pizza, crafts, games and activities will be provided. Kids between 4-12 years old and must be potty trained. Maximum of 35 children. To register, email anelson@cityblm.org.
Holiday Pops in the Heartland
Fri. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Bloomington Center for Performing Arts, 600 N. East St.
$63-$21, Students 6-26, $6,
Students 5 & below, free
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is joined by area symphonies, ballet companies and youth performance groups. Harrison Faulkner as the Boy Soprano. For tickets, visit blom-internet.choicecrm.net. For more information, call 309-434-2777.
DEC. 14-15
Season of Light
Fri.-Sat. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
ISU Planetarium
Felmley Hall, W. College Ave., Normal
$4-$2
Narrated by NPR’s Noah Adams, Season of Light recounts the historical, religious, and cultural rituals surrounding the coming of winter and the solstice, while exploring Christian, Jewish, Egyptian, Roman, Celtic Nordic and Hopi practices. For more information, call 309-438-2496.
DEC. 14-16
An American Family Christmas
Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m.
Five Points Washington, 360 Wilmor Road
$8 Students, $20 adults,
$18 for groups of 10 or more
Join the Peoria Civic Choral with special guest Soprano Penelope Schumate, as they perform holiday classics and selections from Handel’s Messiah. For more information, call 309-693-6725.
‘The Nutcracker’ Central Illinois Ballet
Fri. 2 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7 p.m.,
Sun. 2 p.m.
ICC Performing Arts Center, 1 College Drive, East Peoria
$25-35, adults,
$12-15 children 10-under,
$30-20 Seniors
Celebrate the holidays with the timeless music of Tchaikovsky as the Central Illinois Ballet performs The Nutcracker. For tickets and for more information, visit www.ciballet.com.
DEC. 15
Christmas For Kids
Sat. 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Bloomington High School, 1202 E. Locust St.
Free
36th annual Christmas for Kids, for unemployed or underemployed families. Games, arts, face painting, sing-a-long and a gift for each child. Children 12 and under. Pre-registration required. For more information, contact Michael Matejka, 309-208-1120.
Dickens Christmas Festival
Sat. 12-8:30 p.m.
Eastland Mall, 1615 E. Empire St., Bloomington
Free
Enter the world of “Old England” and stroll the mall with Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim. Enjoy over 50 characters, Christmas carolers, and live music. Attend the free festival play, “The Ghost of Dickens” at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 309-663-5361.
St. Jude Smiles with Santa
Sat. 4-7 p.m.
Mackinaw Community Center, 101 S. Orchard St.
$10 donation per family
Have your photo taken with Santa for a good cause. All proceeds go to the Peoria to Mackinaw St. Jude Run team. For more information, email mackinawstjuderunteam@gmail.com.
DEC. 16
Beauties and the Beat Christmas Dreaming
Sun. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Ewing Cultural Center, 48 Sunset Road, Bloomington
Free
Hear one of the area’s newest vocal group in concert at the historic Ewing Manor. Enjoy free cookies, hot chocolate and festive holiday décor. For more information, email Tracy Koch, twintmr@aol.com.
‘Miracle on 34th Street ‘
Sun. 7-9 p.m.
Normal Theater, 209 W. North St.
$7 adults, $5 students & kids under13
Enjoy the 1947 holiday classic, “Miracle on 34th Street.” A nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing. For more information, call 309-454-9720.
DEC. 17-18
Here Comes Santa Claus
Mon. 6-7 p.m.
Tue. 10-11 a.m.
Normal Public Library, 206 College Ave.
Free
Families and kids up to 2nd grade meet Santa, enjoy Christmas stories, songs, play games, enjoy a snack, and more. Don’t forget your camera. For more information, call 309-454-4668.
DEC. 18
ISU Civic Chorale Carols
Tues. 7 p.m.
McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main, Bloomington
Free
Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies in the beautiful and historic courthouse inside the McLean County Historical Society while listening to the beautiful voices of the ISU Civic Chorale. Special guest artists Beauties and the Beat. For more information, call John M. Koch, 309-438-2472.
DEC. 19
Blue Christmas Service
Wed. 6 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 801 S. Madison, Bloomington
Free
A special Christmas service for those struggling this holiday season. This service is a time of hope and healing for those mourning the loss of a loved one, who are from home or are struggling with conflict, health or finances. For more information, call 309-828-6265.
–McLean County Calendar of Events Dec. 12 – Dec. 19–
