5 Things to do in Will County: Get back to nature and get ready for the holidays

1) Lewis University will host a free gallery talk from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday with artist Mark Swain, professor of art and design at Lewis University, whose paintings are currently on exhibit. Swain’s work portrays the play of light on a variety of surfaces. Visitors are asked to wear face coverings and fill out a health screening form at lewisu.edu/covid-19/visitor-health-screening.htm prior to visiting the exhibit. The exhibit will be on display from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Nov. 23. For information, email Natalie Swain, art gallery coordinator, at swainna@lewisu.edu.

2) Come out and play “Singo” at 7 p.m. Friday at Rosati’s Pizza Pub of Plainfield, located at 16108 S. Rte. 59 No. 136 in Plainfield. “Singo” is musical Bingo, where you sing along to your favorite hits while playing Bingo. Win a prize each game. Get a free 12-inch cheese pizza with any 18-inch pizza purchase. For information, visit Rosati’s Pizza Pub in Plainfield on Facebook.

3) The Lockport Woman’s Club will host the 50th Annual Christmas Crossroads Handmade Market from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Lockport Township High School, East Campus,1333 E. 7th St. in Lockport. More than 170 artisans, crafters and makers are scheduled to attend. Adult admission is $5. Kids, 12 and under, are free. Proceeds support the philanthropic efforts of LWC. Free parking and shuttle. Facemasks are required. Food vendors. ADA accessible. No strollers [due to tight spaces and breakable items]. For information, visit ChristmasCrossroads.com.

4) The Forest Preserve District of Will County is offering two different nature hikes at three different times. The first, the “Owl Prowl for Big Kids & Adults,” will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, at Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access in Mokena. Search of elusive owls and find out how many species of owl reside in Will County and how to differentiate them. Afterward, enjoy roasted marshmallows by the fire. Free for ages 10 and older. Register online at reconnectwithnature.org or call 708-946-2216. The second hike, “The Coyote is our Friend Hike,” will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. Learn fun facts about coyotes and their canine relatives from a forest preserve naturalist, while strolling through the preserve. Look for signs of coyotes and listen for them howling. Free for ages 5 and older. Register by Thursday online at reconnectwithnature.org or by calling 815-722-9470.

5) Extend the weekend an extra day and jump-start your holiday cheer with “A Very Rialto Christmas Making Merry Music!” at 6 p.m. Monday at the Rialto Square Theatre, located at 102 N. Chicago St. in Joliet with the lighting of the marquis and a special concert at 7 p.m. featuring the Moraine Chorale, a 75-voice choir directed by Nick Thomas. Special guests include: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Suzy Snowflake. There is also an audience sing-a-long of Christmas Carols. For tickets and information, visit rialtosquare.com.