The best way to celebrate the new year is with a party, and the Chicago Southland has some exciting evenings for you to attend! All New Year's Eve events will take place on December 31st.

You can head out to the Family Irish New Year Party at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, where they will be ringing in the new year on Irish time (6PM) with sparkling juice for kids and champagne for adults. Tickets include the toast and a buffet dinner, so be sure to get yours today!

Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park will be holding their 2025 New Year Celebration Party, complete with appetizers, dinner and a top shelf open bar.

Haunted Trails Family Amusement Park & Picnics in Joliet and Haunted Trails Entertainment Center in Burbank will be having a New Year's Eve Fun Deal where you can get 3 hours of unlimited games, a mini pizza and soft drink!

Check out the New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks in Blue Island, with special guest Mayor Bilotto, music, fireworks and more!

Orland Park invites you and the little ones to their Children's New Year's Celebration, promising to feature a DJ, themed activities and a light lunch beginning at 10:30AM.

Bring your kids to the Founders Community Center in Frankfort at 11AM for the New Year's Countdown, which will include dancing, party games and ice cream!

January 20th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day to recognize and celebrate Dr. King's monumental fight for equality. The Chicago Southland offers a few events you can participate in. On January 18th the Spirit of God Fellowship Church in South Holland will be hosting a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, promising to honor Dr. King's legacy through music, dance and more, as well as a reception with food and drinks.

Freedom Hall in Park Forest will be host to Simone Green - MLK Day Soulful Journey on January 20th. Simone Green is a talented R&B and soul musician from Chicago inspired by artists like Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

For those looking to seize the day and provide an act of service for a local community, you can head to Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland on January 20th for their MLK Day of Service. Help out by cleaning up litter and enjoy crafts and cocoa!

We’re heading into a new year and it’s a time when people are re-evaluating their lifestyle and habits - sometimes establishing new healthy habits and maybe letting go of some not-so-good habits. If embracing Dry January is something you’re looking to incorporate into your life in the new year, we have a few places where you can indulge in a refreshing drink that doesn’t have any alcoholic ingredients in our Dry January blog!

Now that we're fully into the winter season, it's the perfect time to check out some gorgeous indoor art. And there is no better place than the Christopher Art Gallery at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. Take a virtual tour of the exhibit area before stopping by for your very own art viewing experience!

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!

A gaming and entertainment sensation has arrived in the Chicago Southland! Wind Creek Chicago Southland, a sprawling 70,000-square-foot casino and resort, is now open in East Hazel Crest and Homewood. This luxurious destination is set to redefine gaming and hospitality in Illinois. The casino is already operational, with the hotel slated to open in early 2025. As the first AAA Diamond-rated casino in the state, Wind Creek Chicago Southland boasts a stunning array of amenities. With over 1400 cutting-edge slot machines, 56 gaming tables, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, and a poker room, there's something for every gaming enthusiast.

You can visit Wind Creek Chicago Southland at 17300 South Halsted Street in East Hazel Crest any day of the week, 8AM-4PM. Must be 21 years of age or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).