Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of Nov. 22-24, 2024, curated by WGLT's Lauren Warnecke. You can find more coverage on our Datebook - Arts & Music page or by subscribing to WGLT's Weekend Scoop email newsletter, which goes out every Friday.
Play all day: Sesame Street’s Leslie Carrara-Rudolph brings her puppet pal Lolly Lardpop back to Central Illinois for three days of play. On Friday and Saturday, Carrara-Rudolph sets up shop at Illinois Art Station in Normal, joining Saturday’s artmaking session and leading a character-building workshop for imaginations age 8 and up. On Sunday, she’ll head to Peoria Riverfront Musuem for a full day of programming accompanying their Jim Henson Exhibition. Friday through Sunday; full schedule, details and registration at illinoisartstation.org.
Get your holiday shopping done early: An abundance of holiday farmers markets and vendor fairs are on this weekend, including Bloomington’s Thanksgiving Market at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, a craft show hosted by the Normal West High School bands and the Shuckin’ Awesome Holiday Art Market, a venture put on at Funks Farms Premium Beef in Shirley by Artists of the Corn. Bonus: Wild Harvest Honey Farm has early Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales, too.
Go ghost hunting: Television host and all-around curious guy Josh Gates is best-known for Discovery’s Expedition: Unknown and Syfy shows Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth. Gates shares stories from his various ventures — domestic and international, normal and paranormal — live in conversation. The main floor is practically full, but there are still plenty of balcony seats available. 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts; tickets $42-$82 at 309-434-2777 and artsblooming.org.
