Illinois and Iowa have at least 41 progressive or LGBTQ+ affirming holiday events to offer this season, ranging from “open and affirming” Christmas Eve and Day services, to potlucks and card games, to Kwanzaa events in both states.
Here’s a peek at what’s happening for this holiday week in at least 15 communities throughout Illinois and Iowa.
Above, four of the 41 progressive winter holiday events happening this week include Hope UMC’s Christmas Eve services in Bloomington, Ill.; Two Rivers UMC’s African and Myanmar-themed Christmas Day Dinner in Rock Island; The “Day After Christmas Euchre Tourney” at Mary’s on 2nd in DAvenport, Ia.; and the Village of Flossmoor with daily Kinara-lighting Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Find these events and more at the Alternative Winter Holiday Events calendar.
LGBTQ Affirming Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services
Options among the 19-plus progressive and LGBTQ+ affirming churches featured in the Alternative Winter Holiday Events calendar include many with candlelight; a few available by livestream; two that invite pajamas; a couple of late-night services; and one that highlights African cuisine.
Churches in Bloomington, Moline and Rock Island in Illinois – plus churches in Des Moines and Iowa City – are holding two or more services to honor the season. Some are holding one service for kids and families, and another for folks looking for more music, serenity or something.
And while most Yule events have already happened, there’s still one more non-Christian winter holiday celebration happening: a Cacao Ceremony and Ritual, based on Aztec traditions, in Mokena, Ill.
Above, CR Pride in Cedar Rapids hosts a holiday potluck at Basix on Sunday.
Potlucks and Euchre
You can find at least three secular (non-religious) holiday happenings this week:
- Enjoy a free holiday meal for “Clockmas” on Dec. 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Clock Inc.’s Community Center by Clock and Free Mom Hugs Iowa.
- CR Pride’s Holiday Potluck Party in Cedar Rapids, IA on Sunday, December 28 from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Day After Christmas Euchre Tourney at Mary’s on 2nd in Davenport, IA on Dec. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Above, Malcolm X College in Chicago hosts six days of Kwanzaa events.
Kwanzaa celebrations in seven cities
Based on African harvest festival traditions, Kwanzaa is a modern seven-day celebration of African-American culture that ends in a communal feast called a Karamu. Five cities in Illinois, and two in Iowa, are hosting Kwanzaa celebrations this year.
They include the Village of Flossmoor in Illinois, going all-out with a Kwanzaa themed- Kinara-lighting at 5 p.m. daily from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1; a Kwanzaa Mass on Sunday; and a Karamu reception, the traditional Kwanzaa meal, following the mass.
You can also celebrate a family-friendly Kwanzaa in Evanston Friday, or attend Kwanzaa events in Aurora, Chicago, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Rock Island Saturday.
Malcolm X College in Chicago is also holding a free weeklong Kwanzaa celebration from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Activities will include a reading circle for children, performances and workshops.
Find details about these events and more at MainStream’s Alternative Winter Holiday Events calendar. Watch for updates in coming days on more holiday events, and New Year’s celebrations. Head here to list your event on the calendar.
