December Datebook

3, Murder Mystery Theater - "I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus" at Von Jakob Vineyard in Pomona. When a shopping mall Santa starts telling people he's the real thing, it's Murder on 34th Street! Uproarious interactive murder mystery (participation is optional). Wine tasting and hors d' oeuvres from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Play and dinner to follow. $29.50. (618) 893-4500 or www.vonjakobvineyard.com.

3-5, Holiday Craft Sale at Southern Illinois University's Student Center in Carbondale. An annual holiday craft sale that features more than 75 crafts people. Holiday decorations, gifts, and other unique items. Free. (618) 453-3636 or www.siu.edu/~sccrafts.

4 & 11, The Stagecoach Inn's Annual Christmas Store in Middle-town. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Adults and children welcome. Gifts priced from $.25 to $10. Handcrafted items and more. (217) 445-2208.

4, The Fourth Annual Home For The Holidays in Elsah. Experience Christmas at this annual house tour and tree lighting. There will be horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, holiday music, and a holiday dinner. $10 per person. (618) 374-2821 or www.greentreeinn.com.

4, Mistletoe Ball at the historic Turner Hall in Galena. A glamorous 19th Century-style Ball with music, drawings, hors d' oeuvres, prizes, and more. Tickets are $50. Reservations are required. (815) 777-9129.

4-5, Christmas Love at Vrooman Mansion in Bloomington. A charity event to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. View the two floors of this beautiful Victorian bed and breakfast as they are decorated with holiday festivities. Enjoy refreshments and entertainment. Enter into a raffle for a free overnight stay for two, and a $50 gift certificate for the Olive Garden. $5 admission. (309) 828-8816, or www.vroomanmansion.com.

4, The Red Hill Christmas Craft Show at the Lawrence County 4-H Center in Lawrenceville. Show times are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Hand made crafts from a two-state area will be sold. Food will be furnished by the Lawrence County Fair Board. (618) 936-2439 or schultz 18 @earthlink.net.

4, Pike County 4-H Foundation Craft Show at the Farm Bureau Building in Pittsfield. Free. All-day 4-H bake sale, soup, sandwiches, pie, and drinks. Door prizes, and a special Longaberger basket raffle will be held tickets are $1 each. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (217) 236-7025 or (217) 285-5543.

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4, Lucia Fest at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Paxton. Brunch, bake sale, and bazaar: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Serving Swedish foods such as pancakes, Swedish potato sausage, lingonberries, egg coffee, Swedish cheeses, rice pudding, fruit soup, rye bread, rolls, and cookies. (217) 379-3554.

4, Annual Christmas Parade in Downtown Springfield. Marching bands, wonderful floats, and of course, Santa and his elves, bring the holiday spirit to life in this traditional American Christmas parade.

4-5, Christmas Trees and Dr. Wright's House in Altamont. Walk through this historic home as part of Country Christmas in Altamont. It will be decorated with trees provided by Altamont Chamber of Commerce businesses. Built in 1889, the 18-room Renaissance Revival brick house contains furnishings belonging to three generations of the Wright family. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Adult admission is $5, and students ages 6 to 18 are $1. (618) 483-6397.

17, A Romantic, Classical Christmas Dinner at Von Jakob Vineyard in Pomona. Put the rush of the holidays to the side for an evening and romance your love at the winery. Call and make a reservation for this special treat. (618) 893-4500 or vonjakobvineyard@earthlink.net.

11, Festival of Trees at the 12th Street Presbyterian Church in Alton. Decorated Christmas trees will be on display and raffled off. Also, crafts and baked goods will be for sale and a holiday ham dinner will be served. Free admission. (618) 465-2507.

10-12, Country Christmas Fair at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. Friday from 4-8 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3 admission. (618) 539-3395.

11-12, Nutcracker - Peoria Ballet Join Clara, The Sugar Plum Fairy, and an army of scurrying mice as Peoria Ballet whisks you away to the enchanted Kingdom of the Sweets. Live music accompanies this spectacular holiday favorite performed at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.

12, Historic Quincy Business District Cookie Walk in downtown Quincy. (217) 228-8696.

12, Silver Bells and Diamonds at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Brought to you by the Greater Alton Concert Association, the 4 Diamonds have been pleasing audiences for almost 50 years, have had many hit records, and perform worldwide. This is their first Christmas program. Admission is $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Children are $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Special group rates are available for groups of 15 or more. (618) 466-7751.

27-28, Prairie Mills Windmill Christmas Show in Golden. (217) 696-2495.

31, First Night River Bend at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. First Night River Bend is an annual alcohol-free celebration of the arts on New Year's Eve. Admission is $10 per person; $8 until noon on 12/30. (618) 468-7500 or www.fhrblc.com.

5, The Third Annual Christmas Home Tour in the Brussels, Golden Eagle, and Meppen areas. $10 per person. The tour begins at St. Mary Church Hall in Brussels and includes 10 homes. This will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. Ticket sales will be from 12-4 p.m. (618) 883-2124.

Illinois Country Living publishes event listings as space allows, giving preference to events of regional or statewide interest. Event listings are provided by the event sponsors and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information submitted for publication and advises calling ahead to confirm dates and times. To be considered for inclusion, send listings and photographs (If sending photographs please include self-addressed stamped envelope) to Illinois Datebook, Illinois Country Living, PO Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708-3787. The deadline for submission is 45 days prior to the publication date.

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