November Weekend Edition · Curated by Joanne Dal Santo
A November weekend full of holiday kickoffs, craft shows, and cozy nights across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana: from Frankfort's Candlelight Holiday Weekend and the opening weekend of World of Illumination at Orland Square to trail runs, pop-culture days, and the first indoor holiday markets of the season. Your local insider plan for Nov 14 through Nov 15.
November Weekend Edition
The November edition of the Weekend Guide curates the best of the season across both states: the Candlelight Holiday Weekend in downtown Frankfort, the opening weekend of World of Illumination at Orland Square, holiday craft shows and markets, trail runs and pop-culture days, and warm indoor picks as the weather turns. From Crete-Monee High School to Crown Point's historic square, we dig up the picks so you can skip the search and start the weekend.
Whether you're in Mokena, Orland Park, or Frankfort on the Illinois side, or Crown Point, Munster, or Highland on the Indiana side, there is something worth checking out this weekend. We cover both states in one place.
Curated by
Associate Broker, @properties. Your local insider for the best of both states.
Featured Picks
November 14 through 15, 2026, across both states: the Candlelight Holiday Weekend in Frankfort, the opening weekend of World of Illumination at Orland Square, holiday craft shows, trail runs, pop-culture days, and cozy indoor picks. Browse Illinois and Indiana side by side in one place.
The Francis Field Youth Foundation's Christmas-themed community event and holiday market at Francis Field, an early start to the village's holiday season.
Read the PickTrade jigsaw puzzles for new ones at the Frankfort Public Library District, a free drop-in afternoon for puzzle lovers of all ages.
Read the PickThe 33rd annual booster holiday craft show fills Crete-Monee High School with holiday decor, handmade gifts, and local treats, supporting Warrior athletics.
Read the PickDowntown Frankfort's signature holiday event: the Polar Express train ride, a Glow Party, horse-carriage rides on St. Clair Street, and glowing storefronts all weekend.
Read the PickBack-to-back shows on Front Street: the Infinity early show at 6 p.m. and the Semple Band late show at 9:15 p.m., an intimate Mokena night out.
Read the PickThe Mokena Park District's cozy family evening of kids' holiday crafts, cookies, and hot cocoa, a warm kickoff to the season.
Read the PickThe library's free pop-culture celebration fills the Orland Park Public Library with comics, crafts, and all-ages fandom fun, a great indoor pick for the weekend.
Read the PickBring leftover jack-o'-lanterns to be composted at Plum Creek Nature Center, with games and hot-dog roasting, free and open to all.
Read the Pick10K, 20K/half, 30K, and 60K trail races over the quarry terrain at The Forge: Lemont Quarries, with start and finish at the adventure park.
Read the PickThe world's largest animated drive-through light show turns the Orland Square Mall parking lot into a glowing, music-synced holiday drive, open nightly 6 to 10 p.m.
Read the PickHandmade and upcycled gifts, local food, live holiday music, and a specialty beverage bar at the Porter County Expo Center, about 10 minutes from Portage.
Read the PickCollectibles, crafts, and commercial vendors fill the Lake County Fairgrounds exhibition buildings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with free parking.
Read the PickVintage finds at Lincoln Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., then America's Antique Mall's Cozy Cookoff from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., an indoor-friendly Highland Saturday.
Read the PickRun past the historic Old Sheriff's House and Jail on Main Street in a flat, friendly 5K hosted by Race the Region and the Old Sheriff's House Foundation.
Read the PickHandmade crafts, home decor, food, and local art fill Southlake Mall on Saturday (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.), about 10 minutes from Crown Point.
Read the PickA guided paint-and-sip evening at Manic Meadery in Crown Point, painting a cardinal in a winter window with mead pours on the side. Seats are limited, so reserve ahead.
Read the PickA family-friendly morning of toys, crafts, and seasonal fun for kids at The Social Suite 219 in Crown Point, followed by lunch on the historic square.
Read the PickThe Southwood Drive tearoom pours a festive afternoon of tea, scones, and seasonal treats on Friday, Nov 13, at $25 a ticket.
Read the PickMore Picks
Free Veterans Day meals, deals and goodies on Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026: well-known national chains plus confirmed local offers across the Chicago South Suburbs (Illinois) and Northwest Indiana, with the military ID or proof of service each one requires.
When the weather turns cold or wet, the South Suburbs have you covered: Odyssey Fun World and Crack The Code in Tinley Park, Dave & Buster's at Orland Square, K1 Speed in Mokena, and the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn.
When the weather turns cold or wet in Northwest Indiana: Urban Air and Kids Empire in Merrillville, Bellaboo's in nearby Lake Station, Chuck E. Cheese in Merrillville, and bowling in Portage.
Looking Ahead
Verified picks for the weekends ahead, from Nov 20 through the holidays and beyond, across both states. Tree lightings, the first holiday markets, Christmas Through Lowell, Thanksgiving runs, the Festival of Lights, and the Portage Parade of Toys all roll in as the season turns.
The holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play takes the intimate Munster stage Dec 9-20, a cozy date-night pick for the season.
Read the PickThe 34th annual holiday shopping and open-house tour spans 80-plus homes and host sites across Lowell, with handmade crafts, antiques, folk art, and ceramics.
Read the PickHarvest Tyme's walk-through light display glows along a one-mile trail from 5 to 9 p.m. on select nights through late December in Lowell.
Read the PickThe mayor lights the trees on the historic courthouse square with choir and handbell performances, plus hot chocolate and cookies.
Read the PickFree photos with Santa at the historic courthouse run weekends Nov 28 through Dec 20, capped by Wassailing on the Square on Saturday, Dec 19.
Read the PickThe city's annual holiday shopping market at Wheeler Middle School, the day after the Christmas on the Square tree lighting, with local vendors and handmade gifts.
Read the PickDyer Parks & Recreation's holiday market fills Kahler Middle School with local vendors and handmade gifts, an easy start to Christmas shopping.
Read the PickDyer Parks & Recreation lights the town tree at Central Park on Friday evening, a classic small-town kickoff to the holiday season.
Read the PickMain Square Park glows with a seasonal light display from late November through early January, capped by New Year's Eve fireworks and a closing tree-burning.
Read the PickAn evening of local makers and handmade gifts at 899 S Court St, a relaxed Friday-night kickoff in the middle of Crown Point's December.
Read the PickLocal makers and holiday decor fill Lake Central High School in St. John, a favorite holiday shopping stop for families in Dyer, Schererville, and St John.
Read the PickThe Chamber's hometown festival brings a night-time Santa parade, Santa visits at the Showboat, and the townwide window-decorating contest to downtown Lowell.
Read the PickThe day after Thanksgiving, fill a bag of books for $3 at the Lowell Public Library, then catch the opening weekend of Christmas Tyme Lights at Harvest Tyme.
Read the PickLight the Night, the town's tree-lighting kickoff, glows at Munster Town Hall on Nov 21, and the big Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair fills Munster High School on Dec 5-6.
Read the Pick75-plus vendors, carriage rides, live music, food trucks, and Santa at Woodland Park. Free with a non-perishable food donation.
Read the PickThe Kiwanis Parade of Toys rolls from Willowcreek Middle School to Founders Square collecting toys for Toys for Tots, with the tree lighting, carriage rides, and festival to follow.
Read the PickOne of Northwest Indiana's largest residential light displays at 2833 Lancelot Lane, glowing nightly from Thanksgiving through the holiday season.
Read the PickHighland's Santa parade marches from 1st Street and Highway into Main Square Park for the community tree lighting, Santa visits, and the season's Festival of Lights.
Read the PickThe Chamber of Commerce lights the town tree at 122 E Joliet St, with the Winter Market and Santa Parade following on Saturday, Nov 28.
Read the PickThe 22nd annual Festival of Lights at Prairie West Park opens with a tree-lighting ceremony, fireworks, and live music, then glows dusk to dawn all season.
Read the PickA night off from cooking: small bites from local restaurants and sweet treats from dessert vendors at the St. John Community Center, with St. John businesses prioritized.
Read the PickThe town's holiday family celebration lands at Prairie West Park in the middle of the Christmas in the Park season, with the Festival of Lights glowing through New Year's Day.
Read the PickHighland's 51st annual Pumpkin Plod 10K and 5K sends runners out Thanksgiving morning from Highway Avenue to the Lincoln Center finish line.
Read the PickThe village's annual Holiday Celebration and tree lighting gathers the community downtown to kick off the holiday season.
Read the PickA live nativity scene, holiday vendors, and warm seasonal gathering spots set up off Eagle Lake Road for a family-centered December evening.
Read the PickThe Sandburg Athletic Boosters' 350-plus-booth craft show fills Carl Sandburg High School (9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun), $5 admission with kids 13 and under free.
Read the PickCASA of River Valley's 18th annual Santa train rides from New Lenox to Tinley Park and back, with Santa, a holiday breakfast, and family activities. Reserve early.
Read the PickThe Crete Area Chamber's holiday week with art and craft shows, vendor markets, the Christmas Parade of Lights, bingo, and a reindog contest.
Read the PickThe Village of Mokena's rotating lineup of local food trucks parks on Front Street for an easy fall evening out.
Read the PickThe Frankfort Area Historical Society opens the doors of decorated downtown homes and holiday stops for a festive evening tour, tickets around $35 supporting local history.
Read the PickFrankfort, Illinois lights up at Breidert Green for the Lighting of the Green on Dec 3, then Home for the Holidays fills downtown with carriages, reindeer, and Santa on Dec 12-13.
Read the PickHandmade gifts and seasonal decor fill the International Center at Jane Addams Middle School, supporting the school band programs.
Read the Pick200-plus vendor booths of handmade gifts and seasonal decor at Lemont High School, $5 admission, the same weekend as downtown's Hometown Holiday and tree lighting.
Read the PickDowntown Lemont's holiday ornament walk and shopping evening, a festive start to the season along the village's shops and the canal district.
Read the PickHistoric downtown Lemont glows with holiday lights along the I&M Canal and downtown streets, with the Hometown Holiday tree-lighting kickoff on Dec 5.
Read the PickThe lighted parade rolls down Front Street with the community tree lighting, food trucks, Santa's Workshop, and a family dance.
Read the PickThe free village festival features a nearly 40-foot-tall illuminated Santa (billed as the largest in the U.S.), a holiday market, wagon rides, performances, and ice skating at the Commons.
Read the PickSanta, live entertainment, a holiday market, the Christmas parade, and the official tree lighting at the Orland Park Village Center.
Read the PickA 2.5-mile chip-timed Thanksgiving morning run at the Village Center, with race shirts, prize turkeys for the top finishers, and medals by age group.
Read the PickLocal artisans fill the Orland Park Civic Center with handmade ceramics, candles, wreaths, and seasonal gifts for a $3 entry, the same weekend as the Sandburg craft show.
Read the PickThe Village Green fills with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live entertainment, hot cocoa, and the tree lighting in front of Village Hall.
Read the PickSanta, live reindeer, an ice rink, inflatables, crafts, and the village tree lighting at the Maher Community Center, confirmed for the 2026 season.
Read the PickThe 28th annual Parade of Lights rolls along Oak Park Avenue with glowing floats, right after the Holiday Market weekend at Harmony Square.
Read the PickThe village lights its 44-foot Christmas tree at Harmony Square on Nov 20, then the Holiday Market and Parade of Lights fill the plaza on Dec 5-6.
Read the PickThe Chamber's display of uniquely decorated Christmas trees is open to the public all season, a free holiday walk that pairs with the Harmony Square market on Dec 5-6.
Read the PickOrland Park's free family holiday festival fills the Village Green with lights, Santa visits, and seasonal fun, opening Saturday, Dec 5 at 5 p.m.
Read the PickStay Connected
Want to know what's happening each weekend? Reach out and Joanne will keep you in the loop with fresh picks for your area.