Homewood to Launch 'Holiday Pop Up Shops,' 12/6-7

"Holiday Lights in Homewood" weekend festival celebrates the season with a tree lighting ceremony, outdoor marketplace, unique shopping opportunities and a free synthetic ice skating rink on December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and December 7 from 12 to 8 p.m. Homewood is also proud to launch "Holiday Pop-Up Shops" where indie-craft vendors take over empty storefronts every Saturday November 30 through December 21. In addition, Homewood announces the premiere of a window walking tour with a "Winter Wonderland" theme created by professional window designer, Margot Hallahan, whose designs have been seen at former Marshal Fields and Navy Pier. The window walking tour is unveiled on November 30th. "Holiday Lights in Homewood" is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com

"This is a magical time to visit Homewood," said Public Relations and Marketing Director Rachael Jones. "The ice rink and the outdoor shopping areas make the whole experience festive and fun. And we are very excited to launch 'Holiday Pop-Up Shops' spaces for indie crafters. This trend is sweeping the nation and Homewood is proud to be the first in the South Suburbs to offer shoppers this opportunity to find one-of-a-kind items that are not in any mall. We are also excited to introduce a new tradition - the Holiday Window Walking Tour, featuring whimsical and bright holiday vignettes to compliment a whole new shopping experience for residents and visitors to downtown Homewood. It really is one-stop holiday fun."

Indie-craft vendors from across the Chicagoland area offer their unique wares in "Holiday Pop-Up Shops". Vacant stores waiting for occupancy will be activated with unique collections from multiple vendors featuring everything from the traditional to the funky. These spaces serve as incubators for aspiring entrepreneurs who have unique one-of-a-kind gift-giving items. These Pop-Up retail spaces have happened in New York, Chicago and other major metropolitan areas. "Pop-Up Shops" are open every Saturday, November 30 through December 21. For locations and vendor offerings, visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com.

The "Holiday Lights" weekend begins at 6 p.m. with musical trolley rides through the downtown Homewood business district. Merchants are offering children's craft activities, holiday hors d'oeuvres and special "Holiday Lights" discounts available only during the weekend. At 7 p.m. the annual tree lighting ceremony begins at Irwin Park, 18120 Highland Ave. Participants can enjoy the splendor of the tree, warm their hands by the bon fire and welcome Santa on his traditional fire engine arrival.

"Holiday Lights" also boasts an outdoor market on Hickory Road, featuring live reindeer, costumed carolers, and ice sculpting demonstrations by Nadeau's Ice Sculptures beginning at 7:15 p.m. Foundation 153 is selling premium-grade Fraser Firs from Michigan with easy pick-up and loading assistance. Sales begin as early as 3 p.m. on Friday, December 6.

Advocate South Suburban Hospital is hosting the outdoor skating rink on Martin Avenue, just south of Ridge Road on Friday December 6 and Saturday December 7. The rink is fully staffed and provides skates for all ages at no charge. The rink is synthetic ice and is open regardless of weather conditions.

On Saturday, December 7, the ice skating and shopping continues from noon to 8 p.m. and visitors can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides around downtown Homewood from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Stores continue to offer art projects for children, including a scavenger hunt to find clues that lead to a magical gingerbread village, a replication of downtown Homewood created by Flossmoor resident Janet Gustafson. This unique gingerbread village is open from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1424 Braeburn Rd., Flossmoor. Gustafson's villages have been seen on ABC/WLS and WGN. Admission to the gingerbread village is free. Visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com for complete details.

Also new for 2013, Homewood unveils a holiday window walking tour to see storefront displays designed in whimsical "Winter Wonderland"-themed vignettes beginning Saturday, November 30. This walking tour covers approximately 1 mile. Each window is be created by Margot Hallahan, a designer who has worked on holiday window displays from Marshal Fields to Navy Pier's Winter Wonderland.

"Holiday Lights in Homewood" is December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and December 7 from 12 to 8 p.m. in downtown Homewood. "Holiday Pop-Up Shops" spring up every Saturday November 30 through December 21. Homewood's "Winter Wonderland"- themed windows are unveiled on November 30th. "Holiday Lights in Homewood" is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com.