Joliet News & Updates

A Wilmington man, Caleb Hanson, was reported missing to the Wilmington Police Department on Christmas Eve. The disappearance is connected to Joliet's Tent City homeless camp.

The Joliet Fire Department successfully extinguished a fire at an Amazon warehouse on Christmas Eve. The incident was reported and handled by the local fire department.

Brother John's Big Bad Mardi Gras Band will perform at the Joliet Area Historical Museum's Indoor Theater. The event is scheduled for Friday, February 27th at 7pm.

A Christmas Day aluminum baseball bat attack occurred during a family gift exchange, prosecutors revealed. Jesus Loza-Rivas, a 23-year-old Joliet resident, was involved in the incident.

A homeless man living in Joliet was arrested on Christmas morning in connection with a shoplifting incident. The man, from Wyndotte, Michigan, reportedly roughed up a Walgreens employee.

Popular holiday bark sold at Illinois grocery stores has been recalled just days before Christmas. The specific reason for the recall was not detailed in the report.

Joliet Central High School's young entrepreneurs transformed the school into a festive winter wonderland for 'Christmas at the Castle.' Over 300 guests attended the event held on December 12th. This event showcased student creativity and holiday spirit.

Hooters of Joliet partnered with a neighboring nursing home to provide gifts and food for their Christmas party. The recipients were very happy to receive these holiday donations.

This article provides information on what will be open and closed for Christmas 2025 in Homer Glen and Lockport. Christmas Eve is on Wednesday, and many services will be affected.

Will County Forest Preserves and Nature Centers will be closed on Christmas Day. The Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet will resume normal business hours on December 29th.

La Dolce Pizza in Shorewood will be open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will also be open on New Year's Day during the same hours. This offers a dining option for residents during the holidays.

St. Mary Catholic School Community has brought Christmas joy to 23 local families. The initiative provided assistance and holiday cheer to those in need. This effort highlights the school's commitment to community support during the Christmas season.

Milano Bakery in Joliet is offering Christmas cookies for the holiday season. This is part of a broader look at sweet treats and festive decorations across Illinois.

The Crest Hill Fit Foundation is collecting donations to provide Christmas dinners. This initiative aims to support police officers working on Christmas Day in Joliet and Crest Hill.

Spirit Christmas has opened its seasonal stores for the holidays, including a location in Joliet, IL. These stores offer a variety of holiday decorations and merchandise.

Over 300 community members attended Joliet Central High School's new 'Christmas at the Castle' event last week. Students organized this festive gathering, which was a significant success.

An 'Elves on the Loose' event is scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM in downtown Joliet. This event is part of Small Business Saturday activities.

Celebrate Christmas with Dean Z performing as Ultimate Elvis in Joliet. This holiday show offers a festive way to enjoy the Christmas season.

Experience a unique holiday concert at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, blending Christmas tunes with classic rock. This event offers a festive kickoff to holiday celebrations.

Milano's Bakery in Joliet is preparing for its busiest time of year, focusing on Christmas cookies. This long-standing business has been a part of the community since 1915.

Test your Christmas knowledge at Hickory Creek Brewing's Trivia Night in New Lenox. Compete for prizes while enjoying great beer on tap.

The Orland Park Police Department is hosting a "Cookies With Cops" event at Orland Square Mall. Families can enjoy a fun, free afternoon activity.

Christmas in the Commons in New Lenox is still happening despite the anticipated extreme cold. Some changes have been made to the event to accommodate the weather.

Dean Z will perform "The Ultimate Elvis Christmas" show at the Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet. The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 20th.

Experience a choral concert featuring the stories of Christmas with music by Elaine Hagenberg and others. The event will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet.

A Sports Cards and More Show and Toy Drive for Silver Cross Hospital will be held from 9 am to 2 pm. Santa Claus will also be making a special appearance to meet with visitors from 10 am to 11 am.

Several restaurants in Joliet will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2025. One featured restaurant offers a holiday menu including steaks, seafood, ribs, and lamb.

The Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club's Clubhouse will be decorated for the Christmas season. This event is open to the public and features holiday decorations.

Joliet Township High School CEO students are hosting a free community Christmas event called 'Christmas at the Castle.' The event will take place at Joliet Central.

The Jingle Bowl event is scheduled for December 14th at Twisted Pin in Plainfield, IL. This event is a festive way to start the holiday season.

The 49th annual Festival of the Gnomes is a cherished family tradition. This event features a live stage production following the adventures of a large cast of "wee folk."

Joliet Police officers participated in the 36th annual Santa's Cops event, helping children select Christmas gifts at Walmart. Officer Tony Lakota even dressed as Santa Claus to bring extra cheer to the kids.

As part of the 36th annual Santa's Cops event, Joliet police officers helped children pick out gifts at Walmart in Shorewood. This initiative brings holiday joy to local families.

The Joliet Police Department held its 36th annual Santa's Cops event, with officers assisting local children in selecting Christmas gifts. The event aims to spread holiday cheer and support families.

St. John's Church in Joliet is hosting a Christmas gift shop and bake sale. This event offers a chance to find holiday gifts and treats.

Shorewood's Christmas Tree, donated by Jewel-Osco, will be lit this Friday, marking the start of the holiday market. The event schedule includes various festive activities for the community.

Join us for a magical Christmas breakfast with Santa Claus. This joyful morning event is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

New Lenox is set to sparkle with the return of Christmas In The Commons 2025. The Arrowhead Ales Christmas Lounge will be featured this year.

An event is scheduled for January 27, 2026, at the Old Central Church in Joliet. This event includes a Christmas Bazaar & Craft Fair, offering seasonal shopping opportunities.

The Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club is hosting a Christmas Open House on December 6, 2025. The clubhouse will be decorated for the holiday season, offering a festive atmosphere for visitors.

Experience the Old Crow Medicine Show's Holiday Hootenanny on December 6, 2025, at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. The event promises an evening filled with Christmas tunes.

A Christmas Bazaar & Craft Fair is scheduled for December 6th and 7th in the Joliet, IL area. This community event offers a chance to find holiday crafts and gifts.

This guide helps residents find the perfect Christmas tree for the 2025 holiday season. It lists locations near Joliet, IL, and surrounding towns where trees can be purchased.

The award-winning American Legion Band will present its annual Christmas concert at the Rialto Square Theatre on December 14th. This festive event will benefit Catholic Charities, offering a chance to enjoy holiday music while supporting a good cause.

Residents looking for a fresh Christmas tree can find options to cut their own or purchase one from local lots. Several locations in and around Joliet offer the chance to find the perfect tree for the holiday season.

Elves will be making appearances in downtown Joliet from November 28 through December 26. This event is designed to support Small Business Saturday and will continue through Christmas.