🍦South Suburbs Scoop

January 2nd, 2026

John Sintich
January 02, 2026

Happy Friday!

Cheers to a happy and healthy 2026. I hope this year brings you all the health, wealth and happiness you could ever hope for.

Here’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods:

Frankfort’s Annual Fire & Ice Winter Social Announced
Upcoming Local January Events
Activities for the Kiddos
Local Job Opportunities
Area Live Music and Sports
Real Estate Round Up

To Our Readers: What would you like to see more in the newsletter? Email [email protected] to provide your feedback!

Let’s Get Into It!

-John

WHAT’S NEW IN THE SOUTH ‘BURBS

📍 Multiple Retail Chains in Illinois Closing Stores in 2026 - Details

📍 “Be A Popular Trail Blazer” Returning in 2026 - Details

📍 Frankfort Spring Events Announced - Details

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

📍 Nxt Stop Ninja Open in New Lenox - Details

📍 St. Mary Catholic School Community Brings Joy to 23 Local Families - Details

📍 PAWS Tinley Park Christmas Memory Tree Tribute to Pets & People - Details

📍 Orland Park Lawsuit Proceeds Against Former Mayor - Details

FINAL HOLIDAY EVENTS IN CHICAGO & MORE

📍 Until Jan 2 - Village Festival of Lights (Romeoville) -Details

📍 Until Jan 4 - Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (Chicago) -Details

📍 Until to Jan 5 - Griffin Museum Christmas Around the World (Chicago) - Details

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS & OFFERINGS

📍 Throughout Jan - Orland Park Library Offers Multiple Adult & Youth Activities - Details

📍 Jan 2 - Great American Dog & Cat Show at Convention Center (Tinley Park) - Details

📍 Jan 3 - Pinball Tournament at Hickory Creek (New Lenox) - Details

📍 Jan 3 - Yoga and Beer at Hailstrom Brewing (Tinley Park) - Details

📍 Jan 4 - Painting with Tracie at Hickory Creek (New Lenox) - Details

📍 Jan 5 to Feb 23 - Winter Wonderland Engineering w/ LEGO at Yunker Red Barn (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 6 and Jan 13 - Learning Magic Tricks at Yunker Red Barn (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 7 to Jan 28 - Watercolors for Teens and Adults at Program Center Art Room (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 8 - Stranger Things Trivia at Book Bar (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 8 - Bingo Night at Hickory Creek (New Lenox) - Details

📍 Jan 8 - Ladies Night Vision Board Party (Frankfort) - Details

📍 Jan 10 - Holistic Health Fair at Book Bar (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 10 - Metal Yoga at Soundgrowler Brewing (Tinley Park) - Details

📍 Jan 10 - Blankets and Brews at Soundgrowler Brewing (Tinley Park) - Details

📍 Jan 10 - Master Your Sewing Machine at The Oaks (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 10 - Resolution Pro Wrestling Event (Joliet) - Details

📍 Jan 17 - Winter On The Farm At Yunker Farm (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 21 - Wood Painting Valentines Day Style at Hogwild (New Lenox) - Details

📍 Jan 31 - Fire and Ice Winter Social at Breidert Green (Frankfort) - Details

📍 Feb 8 - Valentine Themed Vendor Event at Bosco’s Marketplace (Tinley Park) - Details

FOR THE KIDDOS

📍 Jan 2 - Winter Dragons Reading Program Family Movie Night (Orland Park) - Details

📍 Jan 2 - Glow Night at Romeoville Aquatic Center (Romeoville) - Details

📍 Jan 5 - Poetry And Art Day at Frankfort Public Library (Frankfort) - Details

📍 Jan 8 to 10 - Seussical Jr. Auditions (Mokena) - Details

📍 Jan 9 - Dive In Movie featuring Frozen at Romeoville Aquatic Center (Romeoville) - Details

📍 Jan 25 - Noonan Academy Open House (Mokena) - Details

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

📍 Multiple Job Openings with Village (Mokena) - Details

📍 7 Village Job Openings (Tinley Park) - Details

📍 Jan 15 - 3rd Annual Southwest Job Fair in Orland Park - Details

CHEAPEST GAS IN THE SOUTH BURBS!

PRICES AS OF 12/31 - Website

📍 Manhattan - $2.79 ⬆️ From Last Week

📍 New Lenox - $2.96 ⬆️ From Last Week

📍 Mokena - $2.79 ⬇️ From Last Week

📍 Frankfort - $2.97 ⬇️ From Last Week

Get Access to Homes You Won’t Find Online!

🔒 The best deals never hit Zillow or Redfin.
I’ll send you private listings you won’t see anywhere else.

THIS WEEK’S LOCAL LIVE MUSIC

📍 DESPINA PAFRALIDES LIVE- Hickory Creek (New Lenox) 🎟 Details
💲Free | 📅 Fri, Jan 2 | 6:30PM

📍 ENUFF Z NUFF H.OF. INDUCTION PARTY - Jamo’s Live (Mokena) 🎟 Details
💲$12.55 | 📅 Fri, Jan 2 | 8PM

📍 MIDNIGHT BAND - North & Maple (Tinley Park) 🎟 Details
💲Free | 📅Sat, Jan 3 | 7:30PM

📍 JACK BYRON LIVE - Hickory Creek (New Lenox) 🎟 Details
💲Free | 📅 Sat, Jan 3 | 6:30PM

📍 PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE - Jamo’s Live (Mokena) 🎟 Details
💲$12.55 | 📅 Sat, Jan 3 | 9PM

📍 OPEN MIC NIGHT - Hickory Creek (New Lenox) 🎟 Details
💲Free | 📅Tues, Jan 6 | 6:30PM

📍 LINE DANCERS ANONYMOUS - Jamo’s Live (Mokena) 🎟 Details
💲Free | 📅 Wed, Jan 7 | 7PM

UPCOMING NFL, NBA & NHL GAMES

📍 Bears Host the Detroit Lions This Sunday at Soldier Field

📍 Bulls Host the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets This Weekend at United Center

📍 Blackhawks Head to Washington for the Capitals on Saturday

Find Your Dream Home — Faster.

🔍 Stop wasting time scrolling outdated listings.
Use my real-time search tool and get instant access to the newest homes in our area.

Real Estate Roundup

This week, the Chicagoland area including Cook and Will county have 7,998 available homes for sale. That is a decrease from last week's total of 8,765 homes available for sale.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate as of today is: 6.20%.

Mokena - Just Listed: 2 ⎸ Closed: 6
New Lenox - Just Listed: 11 ⎸ Closed: 12
Tinley Park- Just Listed: 10 ⎸ Closed: 12
Frankfort - Just Listed: 4 ⎸ Closed: 6