Counting the days until winter break begins? Put studying for finals on hold and attend some local holiday events.

Annual Carol Concert

Choirs from the School of Music’s Choral Division join forces to perform popular holiday tunes. Concert will be at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 in Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $7-10. For more information, call 333-6280 or 800-KCPATIX (527-2849) or e-mail [email protected].

Chanukah Bowl

This annual event features a Chanukah music, billiards, cosmic bowling, dreidel and latke-eating competitions and free food. Sponsored by Chabad Jewish Center and the Illini Union, the event runs 7:30-10 p.m. on Nov. 30, in the Illini Union Rec Room. For more information, www.jewishuiuc.org.

Holiday Market

Take a hike to downtown Urbana and peruse the Holiday Market. This yearly tradition attracts predominately local vendors selling produce, baked goods, blown glass and crafts. The market is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday from Nov. 18 to Dec. 16 at the Lincoln Square Mall in downtown Urbana. For more information, call Mary Dennis at 217-344-3872 or visit

www.urbanabusiness.com.

Latke making

Make your own potato pancakes or eat some that others have made. Hillel Foundation is sponsoring a potato pancake-eating activity in its kosher kitchen from 7-9 p.m. on Dec. 13 in Hillel’s temporary location at the Presby House, 405 E. John St. For more information, call Aliza Goodman at 217-344-1228.

The Nutcracker

Sinfonia da Camera, a chamber orchestra composed of both students and faculty in the School of Music, will perform Tchaikovsky’s holiday staple at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1; 2 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 10; and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Krannert Center’s Tryon Theatre. Tickets range from $15-29. For more information, call 217-333-6280 or 800-KCPATIX (527-2849) or e-mail [email protected].

Other Guys Christmas Concert

Into a cappella? The third-place winners of last year’s International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) tournament will perform their annual holiday concert at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Foellinger Auditorium. Tickets are $5, and they’re available at the Assembly Hall Box Office and on the quad from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Nov. 27 on the Quad. For more information, visit www.otherguys.org.

Parade of Lights

Leave campus for a day and take a trip to downtown Champaign. The city’s annual Parade of Lights and tree-lighting ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. For more information, call 398-2550 or visit www.champaignparkdistrict.com. Want to be a part of the action? To sign up to volunteer at the Parade of Lights, contact Katie Flint at 398-2550 or [email protected]

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree

Volunteer this holiday season. The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for its Angel Tree program. The program helps provide gifts for children in low-income families. Volunteers help distribute “Angel Bear Cards” to patrons wanting to buy a gift and accept gifts. The program runs at the through Dec. 24 at Marketplace Mall. For more information or to sign up for a time to volunteer, contact Major Theresa Turner at 217-373-7832.

Sandi Patty Yuletide Joy

Award-winning Christian singer Sandi Patty will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 in Assembly Hall Star Theatre Expanded. Tickets cost $25.50-32.50, and there is a $3 UIUC student discount. For more information, call 333-5000.

Shabbat and Chanukah-themed dinner

After Hillel Foundation’s weekly Shabbat services on Dec. 8, enjoy a traditional Chanukah dinner, featuring latkes, sufganiyots, gelts and an oneg. Services are at 6:30 p.m. in Hillel’s temporary location, the old Presby House, 405 E John St., and dinner is at 7:30 p.m. in the basement of McKinley Church and Foundation. For more information, call Aliza Goodman at 344-1228.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Attend a multi-cultural winter celebration. This event will explore winter traditions from around the world. There will be a campfire, roasted chestnuts and a star search – if it isn’t cloudy. The event is at 6-8 p.m. on Dec 16 at Allerton Park Visitor Center.

Free with optional donation. For more information, contact Kim Petzing at 244-1035 or 762-2721.