From SnoMarket to Owl Prowl: 16 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area

Ken DeCoster, Rockford Register Star

December 15, 2022 at 12:03 AM·6 min read

Dave and Tina Stock wait in line at the first SnoMarket on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in the parking lot behind The Norwegian on Main Street in Rockford.

The countdown to Christmas is in the home stretch and that means there are plenty of activities and events in the Rock River Valley for the entire family.

The third weekend in December brings us holiday light displays, theater, concerts and ice hockey.

Artists Ensemble Theater presents 'Hallmarked'

What: Mary O’Reilly is stressed about the holidays. Then she awakens to find herself trapped in a made-for-tv Christmas romance but she needs to find her way home and the clock is ticking.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Rockford University Cheek Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford

For ticket prices and more: artistsensemble.org

Winter Wonderland

What: Enjoy winter adventures while escaping the cold. Test your skating skills at Discovery Center’s new indoor Sock Skating Rink. No ice, no shoes, just slip-sliding fun on a high-tech synthetic polymer surface. Also, enjoy creating holiday crafts based on cultures from around the world.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 through Dec. 31

Where: Discovery Center Museum. 711 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $10, free to members and children ages 1 and younger.

For more: discoverycentermuseum.org

SnoMarket

What: SnoMarket is an annual outdoor winter celebration in Rockford's North End. Each day, we will be offering drinks (hot cocoa, akvavit in ice cube shot glasses, hot cider, & glögg in glass mugs), hot food, sweets like krumkake & kannelsnurrer, gifts and handmade items to purchase, yeti picture-taking, and more. The event is put on by The Norwegian, which will joined in the festivities by neighbors Rooted, Wonderland Sweets & The Norwegian Artist Lofts along with several other vendors.

When: from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Norwegian, 1402 N. Main St., Rockford

For more: thenorwegian.com

River District Santa Hop

What: Rockford's downtown River District is hosting Santa Hop, an event filled with live entertainment, specialty drinks and unique shopping opportunities. Rockford area residents are invited to come celebrate the holidays with their favorite downtown business owners and merchants. Prizes are in store for best Santa and Mrs. Claus costumes.

When: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday

Where: Participating businesses and locations include 317 Art Collective, CJ's Public House, Mary's Place, The District, Bubble Hive, The Office Tap, Rue Marche, J&K Lounge, Ernie's Midtown Pub, Abreo, Octane, Vintage 501, Magpie, Prairie Street Brewing, Arch Apothecary, Maze Books, Rockford Art Deli, Eurostyle+, 510threads

For more: Visit River District Santa Hop! on Facebook

Illuminated: A Lighted Garden Experience

What: The Illuminated wintertime lights experience features dramatic up-lighting and thousands of white string lights woven throughout the landscape and canopy of the Garden.

When: 5 to 8 p.m. through Dec, 30, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

Cost: Free for Premium Gardens members, free for children five and under, $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students and military.

For more: andersongardens.org

Festival of Lights

What: Drive through Sinnissippi Park and enjoy dozens of holiday light displays. Festival of Lights has been a Stateline family tradition since 1989.

When: 5 to 11 p.m. through Dec. 23, open 24 hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Where: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission, donations will be accepted.

For more: 4thandlights.com

All Aglow Holiday Light Display

What: Celebrate the holidays at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens! Come see sparkling holiday lights in the outdoor gardens.

When: Dusk until dawn through Jan. 8

Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission, donations will be accepted.

For more: nicholasconservatory.com/all-aglow

'Red Noses'

What: While The Plague fills medieval Europe with fear, Father Flote leads a traveling band of comics who offer redemption through laughter. Using Monty Python-style humor, Red Noses follows this troupe of God’s Zanies as they seek laughter and love during the darkest of times.

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford

For tickets and more: wssr.org

Winter on the Farm

What: Enjoy a wagon ride through a winter wonderland.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Center & Children’s Farm, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford

Cost: $7 per ticket, free for children 2 and under.

For more: lockwoodpark.com

IceHogs hockey

What: The IceHogs are in action this weekend

When: 7 p.m. Friday versus Toronto Marlies, 7 p.m. Saturday versus Hartford Wolf Pack

Where: BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford

For ticket prices and more: icehogs.com

Cartoon Club: TV and video game characters

What: Learn to draw animals, people and more. Each session will feature step-by-step drawing instructions based on a fun theme that you can choose to follow along with or use as inspiration for your own unique vision.

When: 11 a.m. Saturday

Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $10 for the public, $7 for museum members.

For more: rockfordartmuseum.org

Holiday Pops

What: Featuring favorite holiday classics including The Christmas Song and the Hanukkah Festival Overture along with some fun contemporary pieces such as Elf: the Musical Medley and The Toy Trumpet featuring Mark Baldin, RSO’s principal trumpet. And no Holiday Pops is complete without the Christmas Pops Sing-A-Long.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

For ticket price and more: coronadopac.org

Owl Prowl

What: Enjoy an evening of owl education. The session starts off indoors learning about the common owl species of our area, then the group will hit the trail in hopes of hearing, or even seeing, one of our resident owls in person.

When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford

Cost: $3 for members, $5 for general admission.

For more: seversondells.com

Holiday Tour of Laurent House

What: Enjoy the beauty of the Laurent House and the Visitor Center center, each decorated for the holidays with the Laurents’ personal collection of ornaments as well as many mid-century Christmas decorations. Each guided tour will end with holiday refreshments of Swedish Christmas cookies and hot chocolate at the Visitor Center.

When: 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: 4646 Spring Brook Road, Rockford

Cost: $25 for adults, $5 for students ages 7-18.

For more: laurenthouse.com

Inspiration on the Creek

What: Enjoy a performance of traditional Irish/Celtic Christmas music with some special guest performances of dance and piping. The event will feature the Celtic harp and flute of Emerald Wind, multi-genre duo Trinadora and authentic Irish musician Danny McDade.

When: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

Cost: A free-will donation of $10 is suggested.

For more: irishmarchingsociety.com

Clint Black featuring Lisa Hartman Black

What: Enjoy the “Mostly Hits and The Mrs. Tour” with special guest Lily Pearl Black

When: 7 p.m. Sunday