Collectors Day and Artifact Identification Nov 16, 1-3pm Sat. Local collectors will display their best objects. Visitors can bring in items to be identified by museum staff and other experts. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-558-6696.

Superheroes and Villains Pops Concert Nov 16, 7:30pm Sat. Illinois Symphony Orchestra. UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

5K Turkey Trot Nov 16, 9am Sat. A family-oriented run/ walk event. All skill and age levels are welcome. Bene its the Central Counties Health Center’s patient and community education programs. $20 adults, $10 ages 3-12. Washington Park Playground, 1021 S. Grand Ave., 753-6225.

Sensory-friendly The Polar Express Nov 16, 5-7pm Sat. For children with autism and their immediate families. Sponsored by Autism Support of Central Illinois. Free. Hope Pavilion, 5220 S. Sixth St., 217-585-5437.

Pathway Services Festival of Trees Nov 22-24, 9am-8pm Fri-Sat, 11am-2pm Sun. View designer trees, wreaths, centerpieces and gingerbread creations. Kids’ activities and train rides, craft sale, concessions and a variety of entertainment. Pathway Services Unlimited Inc., 1905 W. Morton Ave., Jacksonville, 217-479-2300. 217-243-5678.

Memorial’s Festival of Trees Nov 23-Dec 1, 10am-8pm Mon-Wed, 4-8pm Thu, 10am-8pm Fri-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun. A nine-day holiday event featuring more than 200 decorated trees and wreaths, hand-crafted gingerbread village structures, hand-decorated gingerbread cookies and live entertainment. $5 adults, $3 children 3-12 and 2 and under are free. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-725-8047. 217-788-4301.

Fun Frosty Friday Nov 29, 10am-1pm Fri. Fun for the entire family includes planes, trains, automobiles, face painting, balloon art and a life-size candy land adventure. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights Nov 29-Dec 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-23, 27-29, 5-9pm all days. Stroll through the zoo as you admire the light displays. Enjoy some hot beverages or fresh sweets while you warm up near the bonfire. There will be caroling, performances and, of course, a visit from the big guy. $7 adults, $5 children 3-12, age 2 and under are free. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Drive, 217-585-1821.

The Polar Express Pajama Party Nov 29-Dec 1, 5:30pm Fri-Sat. 3:00pm Sun. (Sensory-friendly showing Nov. 30, 1:00pm Sat.) Everybody in their jammies for crafting and cocoa before a screening of the film. Includes a photo with our special guest from the North Pole. $15 in advance, $20 day of the show. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence Ave., 800-838-3006.

Sensory-friendly Frozen 2 Nov 30, 10am Sat. For autistic children and their immediate families. Sponsored by Autism Support of Central Illinois. Free. AMC Springfield, 2945 S. Dirksen Parkway, 217-529-9448.

Parent’s Night Out Dec 4 and 18, 5:30pm Wed. Parents can drop off their kids while they enjoy time out shopping for the holidays and downtown Springfield’s holiday walks. Supervised fun, educational activities and a healthy meal will be provided. Admission is $25 per child. Kidzeum of Health and Science, 412 Adams St., 217-971-4435.

Franciscan Nativity Festival Dec 6-8, 2-7pm Fri-Sun. Saint Francis of Assisi’s Feast of Feasts visualized through more than 100 nativity sets, each with unique history and significance. Free. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Busy Elves Workshop Dec 7, 10-11:30am Sat. Make a holiday craft and treat along with playing seasonal games. Early registration is recommended as class size is limited. For ages 3-5. $27-$37. Washington Park Preschool, 1400 Williams Boulevard, 217-546-3970.

Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade Dec 7, 5:30pm Sat. Route is Jefferson to Fifth to Monroe to Sixth to Washington. Downtown Springfield. Free. 217-529-5379.

A Calvary Christmas Dec 7-8, 5pm Sat, 3pm and 6pm Sun. Christmas music for all ages, activities for kids, cookies, cocoa and photo opportunities. Activities begin one hour before each concert. Free. Calvary Church Hazel Dell Campus, 501 W. Hazel Dell Road, 217-546-9700.

Winter Wonderland Super Saturday Dec 7, 11am-3pm Sat. Discover how animals adapt to the change in the seasons through a museum search, build your own snowman, get creative with winter-themed art and more. $5 ages 19-64. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-782-6044.

Caroling at the Carillon Dec 8, 4-5pm Sun. Sing holiday carols accompanied by the carillon while warming up by a roaring bonfire. The Trinity Wind Ensemble will provide seasonal interludes. Cookies and hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. Free. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

Animals in the Snow Story Time Dec 10, 10-11am Tue. Learn more about animals in the winter with stories, a craft and animals from our collection. Free with museum admission of $5 for adults 19-64. Children, veterans, military and members are free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-782-6044.

Toddler Tuesday Dec 10, 10-11am Tue. Holiday-themed sing-along with Laura Mui and Santa. Free. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0110.

Annual Christmas Tea Dec 14, 11am and 3pm Sat. Guests will learn about 19th century holiday traditions and practices while enjoying tea and desserts. Caroling, holiday stories to share and gifts to take home. $30-$35. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Clayville Christmas Candle Tour Dec 14, 2-10pm Sat. The inn, cabins, barn and schoolhouse will be open for candlelight tours. Battery-powered candles will be provided. Soft drinks, wine and spirits will be available for purchase. Donations are welcome. Clayville Historic Site, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 217-572-4984. 217-481-4430.

Holiday Bazaar Dec 14, 10am-3pm Sat. Listen to local young musicians while shopping for the holidays. Various groups will be performing including the Southeast Jazz Band, Lincoln Magnet Jazz Band, Sandburg Singers and more. Free admission. Southeast High School, 2350 E. Ash St., 217-525-3130. 217-454-7875.

APL Tree of Lights Dec 14, 12-5pm Sat. Come out and enjoy cookies and punch, take a tour of our shelter and meet some of our furry residents. Donations for lights on the tree are $5. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 217-544-7387.

The Nutcracker Dec 14-15, 2pm Sat-Sun. Springfield Ballet Company’s adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet has been a grand holiday tradition for more than forty years. $17-$37. UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Dec 21, 7:30-9:30pm Sat. Celebrate the holidays with Holiday Pops in the Heartland. UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160. 800-401-7222.

Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music Jan 8, 6-8pm Wed. Follow Dora the Explorer and her PAW co-hosts, Marshall and Rubble, as they team up with their Nick Jr. friends, live on stage, in a one-ofa-kind adventure for the whole family. $21.50+. UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

First Night Springfield kids’ activities Dec 31, 1-4pm Tue. Complimentary entertainment and hands-on activities for kids, including table crafts, clay sculpture, wood-craft kits, face painting, plus a puppet show, harmonica lessons and more. Free. Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St., 525-3100.

Find more family events in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com