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 Saturday, November 19th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Holiday Farmers Market. Artisans Building at the State Fairgrounds. Enjoy a fresh and healthy holiday season. Locally grown and produced meats, vegetables, apples, eggs, honey, Illinois wine, and more! Children's activities and lunch for purchase by Real Cuisine Catering. (Also held December 17th.)
 Saturday, November 19th through November 27th: Memorial's 22nd Annual Festival of Trees: Vision of Sugar Plums. Talented local designers donate their time and talent to create beautiful works of art in the form of trees, wreaths swags and centerpieces. These elaborate and ornate designs create the magical atmosphere that the Festival of Trees is known for. Enjoy viewing over 250 items created by professionals and teams of local organizations, school children and individuals. This is the single largest family-oriented holiday tradition in central Illinois.
Saturday, November 19th: Lullaby University. This class offered through St. John's Children's Hospital combines Baby Basics and Dinner for Two: Breastfeeding Your Baby into an all-day class opportunity. Pre-registration is required. Details here.
Area Cookie Walks: You know you will need cookies this holiday season -- why not go with homemade, available for purchase at a variety of area Cookie Walks that begin Saturday, November 19th and go through mid-December. Schedule here.
November 20 and 22nd: Santa Sessions with Terry Farmer. Mini-sessions for only $25, and proceeds will benefit St. Martin De Porres, a local charity. Photo packages start at $89.
 Don't miss the Springfield YMCA Online Auction: Opens Black Friday (November 25th) at midnight and runs through December 6th. Help send kids to summer camp and enjoy some fabulous auction items as well! Details here.
Saturday, December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. The 40th Annual Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. More than 90 units will celebrate this year's theme "Home for the Holidays."
 December 7 and 8th, 14th and 21st from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Old Capitol Holiday Walks. Downtown Springfield. Extended shopping and dining hours; Santa House, horse drawn trolley, lighted holiday tree, toy train display, free entertainment. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, December 10th at 12:00 noon. Lunch with the Sugar Plum Fairies ahead of The Nutcracker at Sangamon Auditorium. Don't miss this magical opportunity for your children to meet the characters from this classic production up close. Details here.
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We recently enjoyed a few days in Chicago shopping, taking in the sights and sounds of the city and just having fun being together. If you and your family are interested in traveling to the Windy City this holiday season to see the decorations, don't forget to check out our Travel Fun link 
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