A new winter-themed festival in Joliet and the 43rd annual Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo are among a slew of activities to put even the Grinchiest of souls in the holiday spirit.

So check out the new Glow Festival at Slammers Stadium in Joliet, take a pic in front of the Great Tree at Brookfield Zoo and get up close and personal with a reindeer at New Lenox’s Christmas in the Commons event.

Here are some holiday community events to mark on your calendar.

Alsip Winter Fest and Santa’s Landing: 12-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Sprayfari Aquatic Park, 11930 S. Kostner Ave., Alsip. Tickets: free. 708-389-1003; alsipparks.org/santas-landing.

Enjoy some holiday fun and watch for Santa to land via helicopter.Blue Island Light Up Parade and Kris Kringle Market: 1-9 p.m. Dec. 7 at York Street and Western Avenue, Blue Island. Tickets: free. 708-597-8600; blueisland.org/parade.

The tree will be lit at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Blue Island Light Parade at 5:30 p.m. The parade begins at Western and Prairie and travels south to Grove Street.

After the parade, kids can go to the Santa House at High Street and Western Avenue to take their picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will also be free carriage rides and hay rides after the parade. Christmas movies will be shown from 1-4 p.m. at the Blue Island Public Library. There will also be a Kringle Mart under the tents in the parking lot located at High and Western from 2-9 p.m. There will also be pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides, a Ferris Wheel and Tubs of Fun rides from 1-5 p.m.

Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic: 3-9 p.m. Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-31 at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Tickets: $20.95-$34.95; parking $15.18-$17.86. 708-688-8400; CZS.org/HolidayMagic.

The 43rd annual holiday event features more than 2 million LED lights with two new immersive lighting areas: the Wild Encounters pathway will be transformed into Candy Cane Lane and the Living Coast will become the Sparkling Coast. There’s also a new holiday market plus the Elf Power virtual reality experience, the carousel and the anniversary Ferris wheel.

Chicago Ridge Village Tree Lighting: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Chicago Ridge Village Hall, 10455 S, Ridgeland Ave. Tickets: free. 708-425-7700; chicagoridge.org.

In addition to the ceremonial tree lighting, look for “iceless” ice skating, live music, sleigh rides, face painting, an indoor holiday market and a visit from Santa Claus.

Crete Country Christmas: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 5, 5-11 p.m. Dec. 6, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 7 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 8 at Cass and Main streets, downtown Crete. Tickets: free. 708-672-9216; cretecountrychristmas.com.

This four-day affair is also free and family friendly. Activities include a craft fair, 5K race/walk, live entertainment and food vendors in the heated tent. A Cocoa and Cookie Crawl is from 5-7 p.m. with hayrides from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6.

The Parade of Lights is at 6 p.m. Dec. 7, traveling north from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on Main Street to Crete Park. Santa is the grand finale of the parade.

Evergreen Park Santa’s Wonderland and the Reindog Parade: 2-6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Hamilton B. Maher Community Center, 3450 W. 97th St., Evergreen Park. Tickets: free. 708-422-1551; evergreenpark-ill.com/608/Santas-Wonderland.

This event includes a vendor fair, petting zoo, trackless train rides, Holly Jolly Trolley rides, a reindog pet parade, visits with Santa, bounce houses, wagon rides, pony rides, crafts, cookie decorating, food vendors, adult beverages and the annual village tree lighting.

Frankfort Lighting of the Green: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Breidert Green, 432 W. Nebraska St., Frankfort. Tickets: free. 815-469-2177; frankfortil.org.

The annual Lighting of the Green includes live music, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies and the countdown to the grand illumination.

Hazel Crest Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Vernard Alsberry, Jr. Municipal Center, 3601 W. 183rd St., Hazel Crest. Tickets: free. 708-335-9600.

The event includes pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and a performance by Dlow Simmons.

Homer Glen Homer for the Holidays Tree Lighting Celebration: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Heritage Park, 14240 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. Tickets: free. 708-301-0632; homerglenil.org/2555/Homer-for-the-Holidays.

Kick off the season with music, costumed seasonal characters. food vendors, Homer Express wagon ride, food vendors, photos with Santa and the park illuminated with lighted displays.

Homewood Holiday Lights: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6 at Martin Avenue and Ridge Road, Homewood. Tickets: free. 708-957-0300; village.homewood.il.us/community/events/holiday-lights.

The Holiday Lights returns to see Santa flip the switch for the annual tree lighting ceremony. There will be an ice sculpture demonstration, antique car parade, the grand holiday carousel, photos with characters and cookie decorating.

Joliet Glow Holiday Festival: 5-9 p.m. select dates Nov. 27-Jan. 5 at Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet. Tickets: $12.75-$19.75; kids 3 and under free. glowholiday.com/Joliet.

This holiday festival will turn the Joliet Slammers’ baseball field into a winter wonderland with a spectacular display of lights and festive activities. The outdoor, walk-through festival features millions of twinkling lights, whimsical sculptures and illuminated vignettes. Highlights include s’mores around fire pits, a playground, visits with Santa, warming houses and several festive lighted displays.

Lansing Holiday Celebration: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 29 and 3-8 p.m. Nov. 30 at Fox Pointe, 18138 Henry St., Lansing. Tickets: free. 708-895-7204; FoxPointe.org.

Mayor Patricia L. Eidam lights the village tree (and 75 other trees) at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29, welcoming in the holiday season in Lansing. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive down Henry Street.

Both days will feature a holiday market with 25 vendors. Ice skating will be available on an 800-square foot synthetic rink with skates available for use at no charge. There will be characters on hand for photo ops as well as an ice carver, live reindeer, live music, kid-friendly winter nature presentations, storytelling with professional storytellers and winter crafts from the Sand Ridge Nature Center.

Lockport Christmas in the Square: 1-5 p.m. Nov. 30 at City Hall, 222 E. 9th St., Lockport. Tickets: free. 815-838-0549; cityoflockport.net.

Activities include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, Buddy the Elf and live reindeer; an artificial ice rink, inflatables, a snowball fight field, live music, ice sculpture demonstration and crafts for kids. There will also be food vendors, balloon artists and the city tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.

Lynwood Holiday Lighting: 4-6 p.m. Dec. 4 at Liberty Memorial Park, 21460 Lincoln Highway, Lynwood. Tickets: free. 708-758-6101; lynwoodil.us.

Celebrate the season with family friendly holiday activities, seasonal refreshments and pictures with Santa.

Markham Winter Wonderland: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Roesner Park, 16053 Richmond Ave., Markham. Tickets: $5. 708-596-3366.

Activities include horse and carriage rides, bounce houses, face painting, cookies, crafts and visits with Santa.

Monee Tree Lighting: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the village of Monee, 5130 W. Court St. Tickets: free. 708-534-8301.

Santa will light the grand Christmas tree and spectators can enjoy refreshments and family fun.

New Lenox Christmas in the Commons: 4-8 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 in the Village Commons, 101 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox. Tickets: free. 815-462-6400; newlenox.net and search special events.

The annual Christmas in the Commons includes a 50-foot-tall lighted Santa Claus, visits with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, synthetic skating rinks, live reindeer, concessions, live performances, ice carving demonstrations and a holiday market. Each weekend will feature appearances from characters such as The Grinch, Elsa, Anna and Olaf. The ceremonial switch is flipped to light the display at 4:45 p.m. Nov. 30.

Oak Lawn Santa on the Green: 12-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Oak Lawn Village Green, 9446 Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn. Tickets: free. 708-636-4400; oaklawn-il.gov and search the special events calendar.

Highlights include the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, photo ops with seasonal characters, local entertainment and treats available for purchase. The tree lighting ceremony is at 5 p.m.

Orland Park Holiday Festival, Tree Lighting and Parade: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Village Center, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Tickets: free. 708-403-5000; orlandpark.org/departments/recreation-parks/special-events/holiday-festival.

The Christmas parade is at 4 p.m. and features community businesses and organizations with decorated floats and vehicles. The parade route runs north on Ravinia between 151st to 147th Street. The annual tree lighting is after the parade at the Village Hall Circle with the Sandburg High School Chamber Singers leading carols. The Christmas Festival is inside the Civic Center and includes performances from local groups, games and crafts, pictures with Santa, a DJ and concessions for sale.

Palos Park Tree Lighting and Holiday Party: 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Recreation Center. 8999 W. 123rd St., Palos Park. Tickets: free. 708-671-3700.

The tree lighting with Santa and the mayor will be at 5:30 p.m. Concessions will be for sale.

South Holland Winter Wonderland: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Veterans Memorial Park, 500 E. 160th Place, South Holland. Tickets: free. 708-339-8751; facebook.com/VillageofSouthHolland.

This outdoor event features a tree-lighting ceremony, train rides on the new South Holland Express, trolley rides, an iceless skating rink, movie and activity tent, refreshments and visits with Santa for those 12 and under.

Tinley Park Winter Wonderland Frosty Fest: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park. Tickets: $15-$20. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org/event/winter-wonderland-frosty-fest.

There will be decorations, a DJ, crafts, games, a make-your-own ice cream sundae station and appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph.

Worth Tree Lighting: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit Ave., Worth. Tickets: free. 708-448-7080.

The community Tree Lighting Celebration kicks off the holiday season with hot cocoa, trackless-train rides, visits and photos with Santa and his reindeer and more.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.