November in the Chicago Southland!
The Chicago Southland has a feast of activities and events to gobble up this November! Find the perfect fall hiking spot; get your holiday shopping started at Shipshewana; take a turkey trot to work off those Thanksgiving calories; celebrate Veterans Day by honoring those who served; take a virtual tour of In the Game Hollywood Park and check out some upcoming events.
Five fall hikes to take in the Chicago Southland
After months of heat and humidity, the Chicago Southland finally has a reprieve as we have moved to fall weather… the cool breeze, the fall colors, the crunch of leaves and frosty grass beneath our feet. It’s a great time to head out for a hike and enjoy the outdoors – sans the sweltering sun and bugs of the previous season. Check out five of the favorite trails to check out in our Five Fall Hikes blog!
Get your holiday shopping started at Shipshewana
The Christmas season is just around the corner, and what better a time to start looking to get a jump on shopping for holiday gifts! Shipshewana on the Road Gift, Food and Craft Show will be returning this year to the Southland Center in Lynwood, and you can learn all about it in our Shipshewana on the Road blog!
As we approach the biggest meal of the year on Thanksgiving, it’s important to earn that delicious turkey with some running and walking! Check out some of these races and runs you can participate in. All races are registration or ticket required, so be sure to get your tickets in advance.
The tradition carries on in Orland Hills with the 31st Annual Turkey Trot on November 9th at Kelly Park! Come run in either the 1 mile or 5 kilometer race, where participation medals will be given out alongside 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals. Free sweatshirts during packet pick-up are available while supplies last, so be sure to register today!
Orland Park Sportsplex will be hosting a Diaper Dash and Kids’ Turkey Trot on November 23rd, where your little ones can run alongside the turkey mascot! On November 24th, you can participate in the Butterball Burner 5K Fun Run at the HF Racquet/Fitness Club in Homewood.
On November 28th, the 36th Annual Turkey Trot in Orland Park kicks off at the Franklin Loebe Center, where all participants receive a long-sleeve shirt. On November 29th, you can head out to Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland for Walk Off That Turkey, a guided 1 mile walk through the trails.
Veterans Day
Celebrate and honor those that have and continue to serve our country for Veterans Day at one of these fantastic events in the Chicago Southland.
You can head over to the Village of Lynwood at 21460 Lincoln Highway on November 8th for a Veteran’s Luncheon. On November 9th, Park Forest will be holding their own Veterans Day Event at Freedom Hall, complete with a fly-in by a Huey helicopter! You can attend the Veterans Day Parade in Richton Park on November 9th beginning at the Richton Park Metra Station Center and moving west on Sauk Trail. There will be Veterans Day Ceremonies on November 11th at Forest View Village Hall and the Orland Park Civic Center. Additionally on the 11th, you can enjoy Veteran’s Salute – ByGone Gals at Prairie Bluff Public Golf Club in Lockport, where the mother/daughter duo Sandy and Mandy will perform the tunes we know and love from the 1940s. This event includes lunch and costs $30, but veterans may attend for free.
Take a virtual tour of In the Game Hollywood Park
If the cooling temperatures are making it harder to get out and have fun, have no fear – the Chicago Southland has plenty of indoor entertainment to enjoy, like In the Game Hollywood Park in Crestwood. Check out the dining area, arcade and bumper cars before heading over and trying to win a prize for yourself!
Fall/Winter Festivals & Events Guide
Every month of the year, the Chicago Southland brings you fun and excitement! Visit Chicago Southland has officially released its Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Festivals and Events Guide! This guide includes 257 total listings happening in Chicago Southland communities between November 2024 and April 2025 including holiday celebrations, performing arts, festivals, expos, seminars, workshops and much more. Order your copy today!
Visit Chicago Southland Animated Video
Always dedicated to providing valuable resources for both travelers and residents, we’ve created an animated educational video to encourage visitors and groups from beyond our borders to explore our region and utilize its resources. This animated video explains why you, your family, your groups and your companies should venture into and invest in the Chicago Southland region.
