Holiday happenings
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Next Chapter Social Club: Interactive ‘Elf’ screening
Dec. 12
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
(630) 986-1976
https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
Next Chapter Social Club is a series of programs specially designed for teens 16 and older and adults with disabilities. Each attendee will receive a bag of props and treats to be used at certain times throughout the movie “Elf.” Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. RR
Holly Jolly Trolley
Dec. 13
Immanuel Hall
302 S. Grant St., Hinsdale
https://www.hinsdalehistory.org
(630) 789-2600
View the best-lit homes of Hinsdale on this 20-minute tour sponsored by the Hinsdale Hitorical Society Women’s Board. Tickets include live music, sweet treats, kid crafts and warm beverages (adult and child friendly). Time: tours leave every 30 minutes from 5:30 to 8:30. Cost: $25 a seat. RR
‘A Christmas Carol: In Concert’
Dec. 13-15
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale
(630) 323-7500
https://www.thecommunityhouse.org
Make the second annual staged reading of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic — performed by friends and neighbors — part of the holiday tradition. Times: 7:30 Dec. 13 & 14, 2 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets: $18. RR
Historic Holidays in Hinsdale
Dec. 14
Burlington Park
30 E. Chicago Ave.
villageofhinsdale.org
Meet Santa, decorate gingerbread cookies and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride before exploring the unique boutiques and delicious restaurants in town. Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brunch with the Grinch
Dec. 14
Cantigny Golf
27W270 Mack Road, Wheaton
(630) 260-8188
Feast on a Grinch-themed buffet, enjoy a viewing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and meet the Grinch. Time: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. seatings. Cost: $38, $33 for ages 4-10, $5 for kids 3 and younger. RR
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 14-15
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St.
(708) 688-8355
Bring the family to the zoo for an enjoyable all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and then stroll around the park to see favorite animals. Bring a camera for photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Animal costumed characters and musical entertainment will add to the festivities. Time: 9 and 11 a.m. seatings. Cost: $29.95 for adults, $21.95 for children ages 3 to 11, free for children 2 and younger. RR
Holiday Art and Craft Market
Dec. 14-15
Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook
(630) 206-9566
Shop for quality artisan holiday gifts for family and friends, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the restoration of Mayslake Hall. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 14-15
McAninch Arts Center
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
(630) 942-4000
Salt Creek Ballet’s production of this holiday classic makes its debut at the MAC, accompanied by the New Philharmonic under the baton of maestro Kirk Muspratt. Photo opportunities will be available with Santa one hour before each matinée. Times: 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets: $44, $42 for seniors, $34 for youth 18 and younger.
Holiday Afternoon Tea
Dec. 14, 21 & 28
Lucille Restaurant at Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
(630) 530-8300
https://www.lucillerestaurant.com
Indulge in holiday afternoon tea while a live pianist plays favorite carols. Keep warm with seasonal teas, enjoy unlimited champagne and choose from enticing desserts. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Time: 1 p.m. Cost: $40, $30 for children under 12.
‘Merry’
Dec. 15
Hinsdale Central High School
55th and Grant streets
(630) 887-7464
https://www.westsubsymphony.org
The West Suburban Symphony Orchestra and Singers, conducted by Peter Lipari, will present their annual holiday concert featuring Suites 1 and 2 of “Many Moods of Christmas,” popular medleys of carols created in 1963 by Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett, Alfred Reed’s Russian Christmas Music plus holiday tunes from the movies and other seasonal favorites. Santa has promised to drop in at intermission with treats for children. The concert is perfect for all generations. Time: 3:30 p.m. Tickets: $25, $23 for seniors, $5 for teens, free for children 12 and younger. RR
Dinner with Santa
Dec. 15
Il Poggiolo
8 E. First St.
(630) 734-9400
https://www.ilpoggiolohinsdale.com
Enjoy a delicious dinner, meet Santa and receive a special gift. A special children’s menu will be available in addition to standard offerings. Time: 4 to 8 p.m. RR
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 15
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St.
(708) 688-8355
Bring your appetite for a delectable all-you-can-eat holiday brunch at Bocaditos. Enjoy an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus and costumed characters, all of whom will be available for photos. Time: 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. seatings. Cost: $44.95 for adults, $43.95 for children ages 3-11, free for children 2 and younger. RR
Hinsdale’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer
Through Dec. 17
For 12 weekdays this holiday season, ornaments will be hidden throughout Hinsdale that contain a special prize from a local business. The daily clues will be posted on social media. Find an ornament and stop by village hall at 19 E. Chicago Ave. to claim a prize. Follow @hinsdaleparks on Instagram and Facebook to join the fun. The event is presented by the Hinsdale Parks and Recreation and Economic Development departments.
‘Lights and Miracles’
Dec. 19
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale
The Sounds Good! choir will perform eight holiday songs under the direction of Jonathan Miller and accompanied by Richard Sladek. Sounds Good! is a choir of older adults who, regardless of experience or ability, seek arts education and performance opportunities under a professional artist. Time: 7 p.m.
Supper with St. Nick
Dec. 20-23
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 275-2066
Make the holiday season special by enjoying an decadent buffet dinner in the historic Thornhill Mansion. Then head over to the Founder’s Room for a special visit with Santa in front of the fireplace. After dinner, enjoy Illumination, which is included in the ticket price. Time: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $95, $80 for young adults 13-20, $65 for kids 3-12, free for children younger than 3. RR, MD
Holiday concert
Dec. 21
Amita Adventist Medical Center
120 N. Oak St., Hinsdale
Bill and Caroline Johnson, a husband-and-wife singing duo, will give a free Christmas concert in the hospital’s lobby, featuring piano, guitar, and vocals.
‘A Christmas Carol’ Radio Show
Dec. 21
Cantigny Park
1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
(630) 260-8162
Enjoy Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story presented inside historic Freedom Hall as an old-time radio show on WGN, then one of Robert McCormick’s media properties. Times: 3 and 5 p.m. Admission: free with $5 parking. RR
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 22
Le Jardin
Cantigny Park
1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
(630) 260-8188
Enjoy a special holiday buffet, meet and take a photo with Mr. C. and enjoy a balloon artist and face painters. Time: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. seatings. Cost: $38 for adults, $33 for kids ages 4-12, $5 for children 3 and younger. RR
‘A Christmas Carol’
Through Dec. 23
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
(630) 530-0111
https://www.drurylanetheatre.com
This adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic is sure to delight audience members of all ages. The performance lasts 60 minutes with no intermission. Breakfast with Santa is offered in conjunction with the show Saturdays, Nov. 30 to Dec. 21. Dinner with Santa is available Dec. 3 and 18. Show times: See website for a complete list. Tickets: $20 for the show, additional cost for meals.
Characters on Ice
Sundays through Dec. 29
Parkway Bank Park
5501 Park Place, Rosemont
https://www.parkwaybankpark.com
Join the fun every Sunday in December and ice skate with favorite characters on the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink. Skate with Batman and Catwoman Dec. 15, Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec. 22 and Peter Pan and Captain Hook Dec. 29. Bring skates or rent them at the rink. Time: 9 to 11 a.m. Cost: $8 skate rental.
Holiday Magic
Weekends through Dec. 22 & Dec. 26-31
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St.
(708) 688-8000
Sing to the animals and enjoy professional ice-carving demonstrations, magic shows, a 41-foot talking tree and special visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus (through Dec. 22). A full schedule of music and live entertainment is available on the website listed above. The Chicago Wolves skating rink is also open. Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Admission: $21.95 for adults, $15.95 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and older, free for children 2 and younger plus $14 for parking. MD
New Year’s Eve concerts
Dec. 31
McAninch Arts Center
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
(630) 942-4000
New Philharmonic, under the baton of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, rings in the New Year with guest artist and Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center sensation Annie Rosen, mezzo-soprano. Following each performance, audience members will have the opportunity to join Muspratt and the performers in the lobby for a “Cookies with Kirk” reception. Rosen will be featured in “Mon Coeur” from Camille Saint-Saens’ “Samson and Delilah,” “Doing What Comes Naturally” from Irving Berlin’s popular musical “Annie Get Your Gun” and more. The program also includes music by Johan Strauss Sr., Strauss II, Hellmesberger, Richard Rodgers, John Williams and a few special surprises. Times: 2, 5:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets: $67.
Illumination: Tree Lights
Through Jan. 5
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 725-2066
Illumination highlights the many gifts of trees: natural beauty, increased feelings of peace and calm, homes for wildlife and the air we breathe. This year’s event has a new route with a more spacious pathway. Stop along the way to warm up by the fire pit, enjoy special concessions and more. Tickets are available for specific times. Time: 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $23 for adults, $15 for children ages 2-17, free for kids under 2. RR, MD
Farmhouse Museum Tours: Christmas Memories
Through Jan. 6
Kline Creek Farm
1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago
(630) 876-5900
Discover Victorian holiday traditions and explore the lifestyle of a successful farm family during a tour of the farmhouse museum. Tours offered on the hour Thursdays to Mondays. Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Key
RR - registration required
MD - member discount
