Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be over and the holiday season will be here. While you’re busy attending parties and shopping, why not take a break? Make some time for you and your family to take part in the holiday festivities! Spend a day – or two – experiencing fun and entertainment, tasting delicious treats and even meeting Santa himself!
It’s time to get into the spirit. Grab your mittens and put on your hat – there’s always something going on to make the holiday season memorable.
Christkindlmarket Chicago (Daley Plaza, between Washington, Clark & Dearborn Streets, Chicago)
Each year, visitors from all over the world flock to Chicago for this holiday event. It’s a unique shopping experience complete with traditional German food and drink mixed with plenty of holiday entertainment and fun. The Grand Opening kicks off on November 28 and includes the 95th City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting. The vendors offer a wide range of gifts including hand-blown and painted ornaments, classic German products such as nutcrackers, beer steins and Hummel figurines, as well as toys, jewelry, home décor and wooden handicrafts. Some of the vendors even demonstrate how their handicrafts are made! Other events during Christkindlmarket include the Milwaukee Donauschwaben Youth Dance Group; the Children’s Lantern Parade to celebrate the good deeds of Saint Martin on December 5 (call 312-644-2662 or visit www.gaccom.org); and a chance to meet Edison the Lite-Nosed Reindeer thanks to 93.9 WLIT on December 14. For more information, call (312) 494-2175 or visit www.christkindlmarket.com. The event runs from November 27 through December 24.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival (History Richmond Depot District, Richmond, Indiana)
The holiday season is a special time of year in the Historic Richmond Depot District as the neighborhood comes alive with sights and events. Stroll through the streets and take in the twinkling lights and luminaries. You’ll hear the voices of children singing carols. Enjoy delicious cookies and a cup of hot apple cider as you take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage and wagon. Children will enjoy the train rides on the Christmas Express in the Winter Wonderland room at the Richmond Furniture Gallery. This room features one of the world’s largest Christmas murals and a Fantasyland Train Display that has trains traveling around an old-fashioned 
Richmond landscape. You and your children can also have your picture taken with Santa! During the event, there will be live bands and plenty of shopping plus places to find tasty treats. The Festival takes place on Tuesdays evenings, December 2, 9, 16 and 23, from 5 to 9 P.M. For more information, call (765) 939-3325 or visit www.richmondfurnituregallery.com/xmasfestival.php.
A Christmas Story House (3159 West 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio)
You might see it on television for 24 hours straight – yes, there is a channel that airs it nonstop on Christmas Day – but why not experience it for yourself! Visit the home of one of the most memorable holiday movies. The house from the movie A Christmas Story has been restored to the condition it was in for the movie. Right across the street is A Christmas Story House Museum containing props costumes and photos from the movie production. You can even get your own Major Award Leg Lamp or other great movie memorabilia at the gift shop! For more information, call (216) 298-4919 or visit www.achristmasstoryhouse.com.
Happy Holidays!
