HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | EDUCATION | PERFORMANCE/ARTS | SPECIAL EVENTS

GET THE WORD OUT! NWI Parent is the #1 local resource for news, information and what’s happening.
If your organization has a family-friendly event that you would like to be considered for inclusion in NWI Parent, please send a detailed description of your event—with complete contact information—to kmacneil@nwitimes.com at least 6-8 weeks in advance.

Holiday Happenings

Ongoing Holly Days, check website for dates and times, downtown Valparaiso. 219.548.9137. popcornfest.org. A live nativity scene, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and a “Cool Yule” Christmas concert highlight this annual holiday event. Carols will be sung by local Girl Scout Troops and downtown stores will be open for some last-minute holiday shopping as well. Dec 10: “Cool Yule” Christmas concert with Chicago jazz singer Spider Saloff.

Ongoing Santa Claus in Crown Point, Sat noon-4pm, Lower Level Courthouse Shops, Crown Point. 219.663.1800. crownpointguide.com. Santa Claus will arrive in town on Nov 27 in a Crown Point fire truck and will bring Mrs. Claus and Elie the Elf with him. Children can share their Christmas wishes and take pictures with Santa every Saturday from Thanksgiving through Christmas as well as the Sunday before the holiday.

Through Dec 20 The Christmas Schooner, The Theatre at the Center, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter.com. Based on the true story of a Michigan shipping captain who braves the deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago, The Christmas Schooner is a truly original holiday musical.

Through Jan 10 A Christmas Story Comes Home, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, 7770 Corinne Dr, Hammond. 219.989.7979. achristmasstorycomeshome.com. Six animated displays depicting scenes from A Christmas Story will be showcased at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. The scenes, which debuted in the windows of Macy’s in New York City, feature some of the beloved characters and locations of the movie. In addition to viewing the displays, kids can also participate in various events throughout the season, including the “Mommy’s Little Piggy” eating contest, “Oh Fuuudge!” relay race and photos with Santa atop “Santa’s Mountain” before sliding to the ground just like Ralphie does in the film.

Nov 20 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6pm, east steps of the Old Courthouse, downtown Crown Point. 219.662.3290. crownpoint.in.gov. The city of Crown Point is invited to share in this festive, free holiday ceremony that will help usher in the holiday season. Accompanied by a medley of traditional holiday classics sung by the Crown Point High School Choir, Mayor Uran will do the honors of lighting the official city tree. Hot refreshments will be provided.

Opens Nov 20 Snow Much Fun, Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E Grand Ave #127, Chicago. 312.527.1000. chicagochildrensmuseum.org. If there isn’t enough snow outside yet, kids can build a snow fort, throw snowballs, dress up a snowman and ice-skate inside this popular exhibit at the Chicago Children’s Museum.

Nov 20-Jan 3 Christmas around the World and Holidays of Light, Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St & Lake Shore Dr, Chicago. 773.684.1414. msichicago.org. A grand 45-foot Christmas tree will take center stage in the museum’s Rotunda and more than 50 other trees will be decorated to represent cultures from around the world. Dance and choral groups will perform on the Holiday Stage and “snow” will fall on visitors as they walk along the decked halls.

Nov 21 8th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree & Craft Show, 10am-3pm, Kahler Middle School, 600 Joliet St, Dyer. 219.865.2505. townofdyer.com. This show offers the perfect way to do some holiday shopping with over 100 vendors, while avoiding the mad rush at the mall. Past vendors have included Avon, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and the Longaberger Company.

Nov 21 Winter Lights, 3pm, Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Rd, Valparaiso. 219.465.3586. The Winter Lights celebration at Sunset Hill Farm will include music, crafts, cookie decorating, a visit from Santa, a holiday reading corner and many other children’s activities. The event will conclude with fireworks. Also, Nov 27-Dec 27: Drive Thru Displays.

Nov 21-22 The Nutcracker, 3pm, 7pm Sat, 2pm Sun, East Chicago Central High School auditorium, 1100 W Columbus Dr, East Chicago. 219.922.9331. indianayouthballet.com. This ballet for children by children is a holiday classic that has become a tradition for families across the globe. Nov 18-20: Nutcracker school shows.

Nov 26 State Street Thanksgiving Day Parade, 8-11am, State St from Randolph to Congress, Chicago, Ill. chicagofestivals.org. More than 400,000 visitors are expected to line the route for this annual televised event, which features marching bands, equestrian units, floats, performance groups, celebrities, and everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving parade staple: enormous helium balloons.

Nov 27-Dec 18 Caroling at Cloud Gate, Fri 6-6:50pm, Chase Promenade Central, Millennium Park, Chicago. 312.742.1168. millenniumpark.org. Millennium Park will ring with the sounds of the holidays every Friday evening as the beautiful voices of different Chicago choral groups participate in a holiday sing-along. Admission is free and complimentary coffee and hot chocolate will be provided. Nov 27: Apollo Chorus of Chicago; Dec 4: Chicago Children’s Choir; Dec 11: Old Town School of Folk Music; Dec 18: Wooten Choral Ensemble.

Nov 27-Dec 27 The Snow Queen, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago. 773.871.3000. victorygardens.org. Chicago’s number one alternative to traditional holiday musicals is back for its fourth consecutive season. Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved winter tale of a girl who searches relentlessly for a lost boy comes alive on stage with the help of clever puppetry, warm storytelling, a live band and Chicago folk legend Michael Smith’s chillingly beautiful score.

Dec 4-Jan 3 Winter WonderFest, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago. 312.595.7437. winterwonderfest.com. The ninth season of this magical event will bring new attractions, popular favorites and stunning décor to Navy Pier. Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa and run into holiday cops who like to issue tickets for “Un-holiday-like behavior.” Decorations feature 750,000 sparkling lights, 25,000 holiday ornaments and hundreds of elaborately decorated trees. There are more than 170,000 square feet of indoor family fun that includes dozens of rides, games, music and live entertainment at this event, which has free admission. Special New Year’s activities include a family New Year’s Eve bash and fireworks.

Dec 5 3rd Annual Holiday Bazaar, 9am-2pm, 1314 S Woodland Ave, Michigan City. 219.871.9138. holidaybazaar.org. Handmade and retail gifts will be available at this holiday market, including international handcrafted eggs, woodworking, jewelry, holiday décor, custom embroidery and more. Lunch and snacks will be provided in the café and all shopping is on the first floor of this free event.

Dec 5 Hammond Holiday Parade, 10am, parade starts at Gavit High School, 1670 175th St, Hammond. 219.853.6378. gohammond.com. Kick off the holiday season by watching or participating in this fun event that features the Jesse White Tumblers and area high school bands. Call or visit the website for parade route and to register to participate. Nov 20: Entry deadline.

Dec 5-6, 12-13 Candy Cane Express, noon-5pm, Hesston Steam Museum, 1201 E 1000 N, LaPorte. 219.778.2783. hesston.org. The Candy Cane Express will be running the first two weekends of the month, allowing visitors to celebrate an old-time children’s Christmas. Kids can ride the trains and visit with Santa Claus. Also, the museum will be running a Toys for Tots drive in which people who donate an unwrapped toy to the U.S. Marine Corps can receive a free train ride.

Dec 5-6 Zooltide, 5-7pm, Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City. 219.873.1425. wpzoosociety.com. The Washington Park Zoological Society will be hosting Zooltide, where visitors can see the Washington Park Zoo lit up for the holidays. Carolers, luminaries and Santa Claus will also be on hand and hot cocoa will be available to help keep visitors warm.

Dec 6 Christmas Ornament Workshop, 1:30-2:30pm, Crown Point Community Art Center, 138 S Main St, Crown Point. 219.663.0200. southshoreartsonline.org. This one-hour workshop will allow children ages 6-12 to create their own ornaments with provided decorating materials.

Dec 12-13 The Nutcracker, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sun 2pm, The Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N Michigan St, South Bend. 574.235.9190, 800.537.6415. morriscenter.org. Delightful sets and costuming will enhance this timeless holiday classic as it thrills and enchants audiences of all ages. Watch as the Nutcracker comes to life and Clara travels to faraway places in the largest and only full, unabridged version of The Nutcracker in Michiana as performed by the Southold Dance Theatre.

Dec 19 ’Twas the Night before Christmas, 11am, The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy, University Park. 708.235.2222. centertickets.net. The classic holiday poem gets a new spin in this musical adaptation that utilizes aspects of the real life of its author, Clement Moore. An interesting portrayal of Santa Claus will have the audience rolling in the aisles during this delightful comedy.

Education

Ongoing Afternoons R.O.C.K. in Indiana, LaPorte Family YMCA, 901 Michigan Ave, LaPorte. 219.325.9622. lpymca.org. Teens who attend this free after-school program will learn about the effects of using alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. Kids will participate in multicultural activities and games, as well as get a start on their homework. Prizes and snacks will be given every day and anyone who completes the program will receive a $20 gift card.

Ongoing Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, call for information, 219.755.3240. ces.purdue.edu/Lake/efnep.htm. This federally funded nutrition education program is completely free to limited income families with children 12 and younger. For 30 years, family nutrition advisors have helped families learn how to stretch their dollar while eating nutritiously with hands-on activities and demonstrations. These trained paraprofessionals will meet families in their own home or in small group community settings in Lake County and provide a series of lessons on understanding food labels, the food pyramid and the importance of breakfast.

Ongoing Campagna Academy Parenting Initiative Classes 5-7pm Tue or Thu, Campagna Academy campus, 7403 Cline Ave, Schererville. 219.322.8614 ext. 313. campagnaacademy.org. These free classes, provided by the Campagna Academy Parenting Initiative (CAPI), offer support, parenting education, and community resources to families. Open to the public, the classes help parents envision bright and hope-filled futures for themselves and their family members. Classes are designed to help reduce incidents of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and conflict with legal authorities and other services and institutions. Through this program, CAPI students are presented with the realities and responsibilities of life as a parent, including advice on parenting teens and successful strategies to manage them. Classes run for 8 weeks.

Ongoing C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Natural Birth & Parenting Network, call for information, 219.996.5188. indianabirthchoices.com. This free community program brings together midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, chiropractors, breastfeeding consultants and new and expecting parents. No need to preregister.

Ongoing Kindermusik, various times and locations. Designed to introduce children (from birth to 7 years old) to music, each Kindermusik unit provides a variety of activities that encourage creativity, exploration, language, movement and social development. With Kindermusik, children can experience the magic of music without the pressure to perform. See individual websites for enrollment information.

LOCAL KINDERMUSIK LOCATIONS
Chesterton, LaPorte, Valparaiso and surrounding areas: 219.925.5022. duneland.kindermusik.net.
Crown Point, Merrillville and surrounding areas: 219.718.7263. geri.kindermusik.net.
Dyer, Highland, Munster, St. John and Lansing and South Holland, Ill., : 219.765.4363. nancy.kindermusik.net.

Ongoing Native Programs, Southlake YMCA, 1450 S Court St, Crown Point. 219.663.5810. slymca.org. This program encourages parents to set aside a couple of hours a month for their young child by participating together in a variety of activities that nurture mutual understanding, love and respect.

Ongoing Pregnant/New Mom Question and Answer Sessions, 8:15-9am, every 2nd and 4th Thu, Kids First Pediatrics on 30, 1130 Joliet St, Ste 103, Dyer. 219.322.8534. In these free meetings, board certified pediatrician Dr. Parul Pathak will meet with any interested pregnant/new moms to answer questions on topics such as newborn screen, breastfeeding or bottle feeding, vaccine safety, circumcision, etc. Refreshments will be provided. Call the office to RSVP no later than the day before planning to attend.

Dec 9 Holiday Hurdles, 7-8:30pm, Family Concern Counseling, 2004 Valparaiso St, Valparaiso. 219.462.0939. Guests of this free class will explore ways of making the holidays more enjoyable for divorced or remarried families. Learning how to create new traditions while still honoring the old will help lessen stress for children and stepfamilies and will allow those family members to celebrate without anxiety. Register by Dec 2.

Jan 25 Teens Get Fit, 7-8:15pm, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.3477. comhs.org. Designed for 9- to 15-year-olds, this eight-week program is a highly structured, professionally supervised fitness and education program. It addresses adolescent health concerns in a fun and uplifting atmosphere.

Performance/Arts

Ongoing The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy, University Park, Ill. 708.235.2222. centertickets.net. The Center for Performing Arts is celebrating 11 years of promoting cultural enhancement on the South Side of Chicago through world-class performing arts productions and arts education. Nov 21: Snow White; Dec 19: ’Twas the Night before Christmas.

Ongoing South Shore Arts Art Classes, call or visit website for dates, times and locations, South Shore Arts galleries. 219.836.1839 ext 103. southshoreartsonline.org. South Shore Arts offers art classes for children and adults at their various locations throughout Northwest Indiana. Class topics include drawing, painting, pottery, mixed media, drama and more for children and adults. Adults can also take photography, computer and art appreciation classes. Jan 10: Winter session begins.

Ongoing Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago. 773.761.4477. lifelinetheatre.com. Specializing in original literary adaptations, the Lifeline Theatre utilizes imaginative, unconventional staging to portray stories in an intimate space. The 99-seat theater has been helping promote the arts in Chicago for almost 30 years. Through Dec 6: Dooby Dooby Moo; Jan 2-Feb 21: The Last of the Dragons.

Ongoing The Theatre at the Center, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter.com. This theater, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, has the distinction of being the only professional equity theater in Northwest Indiana, and showcases the artistry of professional actors, musicians and designers from throughout the Midwest. Nov 30-Dec 14: The Story of the Little Mermaid; Jan 19-22: Freedom Train.

Nov 20-Dec 6 Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. chicagostreet.org. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory comes to the stage at the Chicago Street Theatre. The musical adaptation of the book by Roald Dahl will include some of the songs from the 1971 movie, as well as some original pieces.

Nov 24 Up, 6pm, Lake County Public Library, 100 N Main St, Hobart. 219.942.2243. lcplin.org. Families are invited to a viewing of the movie Up, the story of a man who attaches balloons to his house in the attempt to escape from everyday life. Children can dress in their pajamas and enjoy a snack of popcorn and lemonade.

Special Events

Ongoing 4th Friday Arts, 6-9pm, historic downtown Crown Point. 219.662.3290. 4thfridayarts.com. Every fourth Friday of the month, stores in the downtown district turn into galleries for an art walk. The walk begins at the South Shore Arts Crown Point location, 138 S Main St, where visitors may enjoy light refreshments and retrieve maps.

Through Nov 29 Kids Activities and Stories, 1-3pm Sun, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center, Rt. 49 just south of the 49 & 20 intersection in Porter, Indiana Dunes. 219.395.1882. Kids can join a ranger in the National Lakeshore’s Visitor Center Activity room every Sunday in November for fun kids activities and stories.

Nov 18-Mar 14, 2010 Free Ice Skating in Millennium Park, noon-8pm Mon-Thu, noon-10pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat-Sun, Millennium Park, on Michigan Ave between Washington and Madison Sts, Chicago, Ill. 312.742.5222. millenniumpark.org. This public skating rink on Michigan Avenue is in its ninth season of providing free cold-weather entertainment to the city of Chicago. With more than 100,000 skaters annually, this classic winter activity will help keep visitors warm even in the coldest Chicago temperatures. The rink is open every day, weather permitting, with special holiday hours. Skates are available to rent for $10.

Nov 25-29 Orak Shrine Circus, Hammond Civic Center, 5825 S Sohl Ave, Hammond. 219.853.6378. gohammond.com. The Orak Shrine Circus returns to Hammond with a five-day, eleven-show extravaganza filled with elephants, tigers, lions, aerialists, jugglers and more.

Dec 12 Leukemia Fundraising Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction, 7-11pm, Alex’s Place, 7305 Grand Blvd, Hobart. 219.308.7956. Proceeds from this Leukemia fundraising event, sponsored by the Indiana Tigers Soccer Club, will be donated to Ivana Milosevic, a 15-year-old suffering from leukemia and in need of surgery. Proceeds will also benefit the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple, which includes all you can eat dinner and dancing. A cash bar will be available.

Dec 12 Snowflake Skate, 9:30-11:30am, Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E US 30, Merrillville. 219.769.7275. lakecountyparks.com. Girls age 4 and older are encouraged to bring a doll or a teddy bear to join the fun both indoors and out at this ice-skating party. Participants will get to skate on the outdoor plaza, learn skating moves, get their picture taken and make a souvenir craft to help commemorate the event before having lunch.