5 Things to do in Will County: 5 ways to get into the holiday spirit

1.) The University of St. Francis’ Music & Performing Arts Department will present “Christmas at the Motherhouse: From Darkness to Light” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the St. Joseph Chapel in the Motherhouse at 520 Plainfield Road in Joliet. USF’s Claritas Master Chorale and Schola Cantorum will sing traditional works by J.S. Bach and Holst as well as newer works by Susan Labarr and others. Tickets are free. To reserve, email kjimenez@stfrancis.edu. Tickets limited to four per party, first-come, first-served. Proof of COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test from within 72 hours of the event is required.

2.) Come out to two holiday events at St. John’s gym, located at 403 N. Hickory St. in Joliet, this weekend. The Vendor Fair & Santa Shoppe will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and the Christmas Gift Shop and Bake Sale will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and will feature gift items, homemade bakery and tamales. Admission is free to both events.

3.) The Joliet Slammers’ annual holiday open house will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Hall of Fame Room at DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet. Event includes cookies, candy, hot chocolate and coffee bar, cookie decorating, coloring station and Slammers players Chris Roycroft and Brett Smith interacting with guests. Donate a toy to the Boys and Girls Club of Joliet toy drive at the event and be entered to win a suite for the 2022 Slammers season. Facemasks required.

4.) The 45th Festival of the Gnomes will be 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St. Joliet. Lobby doors open 1 p.m. Tickets are $5. Other features include $3 for a gnome cap (optional, free tassel sewn on cap each year after your first year), $1 cookie plate with hot cocoa and coffee. Beer, wine and gnome-made crafts available for purchase. Free parking and admission to lobby. Raffles for handmade gnome dolls are $1 each or six for $5. For tickets and information, call the park office at 815-724-3761 or visit bicentennialpark.org.

5.) The Joliet Central choir and district orchestra “Sounds of the Season” concert will be held 3 p.m. Sunday in the Joliet Central cafeteria. Enter the through the Student Center main entrance. Admission is free. Donations of canned goods are encouraged and collected at the door to benefit local food pantries. Cheesecakes available for purchase through a special fundraiser in partnership with Cheesecakes by James. Attendees must certify that they do not have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms. Certify at bit.ly/3I9ZRnW.

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