You don't need to travel too far to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing.

Start the New Year off right with a First Day Hike in one of the area's state parks or in one of the Forest Preserve District of Will County parks.

2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

These 15 stories from The Scene saw the most visitors this past year.

Kick off the New Year with a winter hike at a state park in northern Illinois.

Explore the white wines from The Hilt and Jonata labels.

The Feathered Fork restaurant recently opened at 20631 Renwick Road.

The “Big House Ballgame” will represent the long history of organized baseball played at the prison.

The Roxy in Lockport will host two “Magic of the Holidays” magic shows on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Garg is a New York Times bestselling author and stand-up comedian known for her sharp wit and relatable humor.

Celebrate the New Year at these exciting events in northern Illinois.

Leave the cooking and clean up to someone else on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Crist will perform at the downtown Joliet theatre Jan. 23.

The Rialto Square Theatre will host

Tribute artist Dean Z will perform classic songs from all of the different eras of Elvis’ musical career.

KC and the Sunshine Band are known for their hits “That’s the Way (I Like It),” “Boogie Shoes” and “Get Down Tonight.”

Check out these theaters across northern Illinois that are bringing holiday classics like "The Nutcracker" and "A Christmas Carol" to life this season.

Check out these sparkling wine selections

Isaak will perform at the downtown Joliet theatre on Friday, Dec. 12.

Singer Chris Isaak and the Joliet American Legion Band will perform at Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre this weekend.

The Drunk’n Gnome Caroling Show is hitting the road in Will County with a rowdy, festive twist on Christmas classics at several establishments in Joliet and Channahon.

The holiday show will feature plenty of laughs and the biggest hits from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

Celebrate the holidays with a family brunch at these locations in northern Illinois.

This new location at 1351 Shale Road in Joliet, will feature Chipotlane, a drive-thru pick-up lane where customers can pick up their digital orders.

The live production follows a cast of “wee folk” on their adventures of doing good works while outsmarting trolls.

The festival is set to take place from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 3 at Settler’s Park in downtown Plainfield .

Affectionately named Floyd, this 36-foot-tall illuminated penguin greets visitors at the entrance to the New Lenox Christmas in the Commons.

The Shorewood Holiday Market kicks off the season on Friday, Dec. 5 and continues through Saturday, Dec. 6.

The Joliet American Legion Band will perform Sunday, Dec. 14. The Jingle Mingle event is set for Dec. 4.

The brilliant light and color show runs through Jan. 3.

Check out the shows and live performances at venues like the Rialto Square Theatre, Woodstock Opera House, Raue Center for the Arts, Egyptian Theatre and more!

A classical string quartet will perform holiday favorites – and thousands of candles will illuminate the concert in Joliet.

Keg Grove Brewing Company opened in a former fire station in Morris in 2024.

Plano’s annual Rockin’ Christmas celebration returns with holiday activities downtown.

The 2025 Goose Island - Bourbon County Brand Stout Release Party will be held Friday at Craft’d Plainfield.

The annual Light Up the Holidays event in downtown Joliet is Friday, Nov. 28.

Activities include North Pole Christmas Market, North Pole Park, horse-drawn carriage rides and more.

The popular holiday series returns to downtown Joliet this year with live music, holiday movies, unique performances and more.

The magical production features lavish costumes, exquisite sets, including a Christmas tree that grows before your eyes and sensational choreography.

Will County communities are getting ready to welcome in the holiday season with these festivals, parades and tree lightings.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 27 in 2025. Make your dinner reservations now and leave the cooking and clean up to someone else!

The characters will perform songs from the unforgettable musical score of legendary composer Vince Guaraldi at the Dec. 8 show.

The Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet will host several amazing performances this week, including comedian Brad Williams and country artist Chris Young.

Artistic director and conductor Sean Paul Mills will lead the program of music by Hector Berlioz, Johannes Brahms and Ludwig van Beethoven.

The 27th annual Light Up the Holidays Festival & Parade will immediately follow The tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 28 at Joliet's new City Square.

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra’s “Fate & Destiny” concert on Nov. 22-23 features Berlioz, Brahms, and Beethoven, spotlighting soloists Rebekah Cope-Evers and Patricia White.

LaBelle, who has been called the “Godmother of Soul,” will perform hit songs like “Lady Marmalade,” “On My Own” and more from her six decades in the music industry.

Holiday events include the annual Reindeer Run, Holiday Sip & Stroll, Dinner with Santa and more!

R&B legend Patti LaBelle will be at the new Hollywood Casino Joliet on Friday, while country star Clint Black performs at the Rialto Nov. 13.

The performance will include some of the biggest hits from Motown catalog, as well as many Christmas favorites.