What’s Happening for the Holidays: A Romeoville Roundup

With Thanksgiving under our belts (figuratively and, for some of us, literally), the holiday season is well under way — and with it comes plenty of festive events, including many right here in Romeoville.

Here’s a roundup of area holiday festivities and events, plus a listing of Yuletide programs at local schools.

Friday, Dec. 2

The Hampton Park Social Athletic Club Ladies Auxiliary will host its ever-popular toy raffle starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Lost Acre Tavern.

Saturday, Dec. 3

The Romeoville High School Madrigal singers will host the annual Madrigal dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Lakeview Pavilion in Carillon. In addition to traditional holiday songs, the sold-out event will include a dinner, wassail, bread pudding and more. Deadline to purchase tickets was Nov. 28.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

White Oak Library’s Romeoville branch will host a holiday open house featuring a performance by the Lockport Conservatory of Music beginning at noon Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Thursday, Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 10

The Lewis University theater troupe will present a 90-minute show featuring music, skits, improv and more, plus a visit from Santa himself, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8; Friday, Dec. 9; and Saturday, Dec. 10. General admission tickets are $10; Lewis community members can attend for $2 per person. Those who donate a non-perishable food item at the door will receive half-price admission.

Friday, Dec. 9

The village will offer three events in one, kicking things off with a tree-lighting ceremony featuring Santa Claus at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 outside the Romeoville Recreation Center. Inside, kids can enjoy entertainment, crafts, games, photos with Santa and more, with an admission fee of one non-perishable food item per guest, to benefit the annual Hope for the Holidays food drive. The drive, organized by Fat Ricky’s of Romeoville, will provide holiday meals for more than 200 local families.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Join Santa Claus (and get a photo of your pooch with the jolly old elf) and benefit the Romeoville Humane Society. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Friendship Centre at HighPoint.

Kids can enjoy a visit, songs and stories from Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the White Oak Library’s Lockport branch.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Kids are invited to a screening of holiday classic “The Polar Express” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the White Oak Library’s Romeoville branch.

A look at what’s in store at Romeoville schools:

100 N. Independence Blvd. Romeoville. (815) 886-1800

• Band/choir winter concert: Saturday, Dec. 19; 7-9:30 p.m., RHS auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
• Romeoville Christmas Classic Boys Basketball Tournament: Monday through Thursday, Dec. 26-29. Games start at 9 a.m. each day with eight games being played. Romeoville, Urban Prep, Ridgewood, Crane, Hubbard, Harper, Glenbard South, Reavis, Plainfield Central, Lemont, Joliet Catholic, Argo, Chicago Christian, St. Francis DeSales, Willowbrook and University High are participating.

590 Belmont Drive, Romeoville. 815-886-6100

• Winter band concert: Thursday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
• Pasta for Pennies fundraiser: AVM is supporting Olive Garden’s 18th annual Pasta for Pennies program benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. AVM’s Student Council wants to remind kids that Christmas is more than getting presents; it’s about caring for other people. The class that collects the most money by Dec. 19 will receive a catered lunch from Olive Garden for the entire first-period class. Wendy Streit is the advisor for Student Council at AVM.
• Coat drive: The A. Vito Martinez Builder’s Club (sponsored by Tim Czajowski) is participating in a coat drive.

725 Normantown Road, Romeoville. 815-886-2216

• Holiday band concert: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.

101 Wesglen Parkway, Romeoville. 815-886-7581

• Fine Arts Night: Thursday, Dec. 8, 5-7 p.m.
• Holiday Shop: Fun holiday shopping Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.

301 Eaton Ave., Romeoville. 815-886-3380

• Winter concert: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Santa’s Secret Shop: Featuring a bake sale and family night, Thursday, Dec. 15, 3:30-7 p.m. and another Santa’s Secret Shop Friday, Dec. 16, 3:30-5 p.m.

775 Normantown Road, Romeoville. 815-886-8384

• Holiday music concerts: John J. Lukancic Middle School auditorium, 725 Normantown Road, Romeoville, Friday, Dec. 2 and Wednesday, Dec. 7; times vary by class.
• Holiday Bingo night: Sponsored by the Skoff PTO Wednesday, Dec. 16, 6-8 p.m.
• Food and holiday drive: Beverly Skoff is continuing a food and holiday drive for its families who need support; donations are welcome.

616 Dalhart Ave., Romeoville. 815-886-4343

• Giving Tree: For the eighth year, supported by faculty and staff, R.C. Hill provides 10 to 12 families with holiday gifts. Stars are placed on the Giving Tree indicating the age and need of each child. The staff selects an anonymous star, purchases the items (top, bottom, socks and underwear, book and toy) and wraps the gifts. The gifts are then given to the parents, who present them to their children as the family chooses to celebrate.
• Holiday Toy Drive: Community members are invited to join R.C. Hill students, teacher and families as they collect toys to donate to local families in need. Donations of new, unopened toys can be dropped off in the school’s lobby through Dec. 9. Toys do not need to be gift-wrapped. For more information call 815-886-4343.