Holiday happenings

n Acappellago

Dec. 4

Mayslake Peabody Estate

1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook

https://www/acappellago.org

(708) 762-3140

Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas with music reminiscent of handmade Christmas gifts, candles on the tree, togetherness and simple gatherings with friends and relatives. Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets: $15-$17.

n Photos with Santa Paws

Dec. 4

Pet Rescue and Resource Center

21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale

https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/events/santa-paws

(630) 323-5630

Hinsdale Humane Society will take family photos with Santa and family friendly pet(s) in a safe, socially distanced environment, complete with holiday vendors, reindeer food for the kids and more. Masks will be required at all times but can be removed during photos. Pictures will be available for download after the event. Register and choose a time slot on the website listed above. Times: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration: $20 per family.

n Celebrate the Season

Dec. 4

Cantigny Park

1SS151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

(630) 668-5161

https://www.cantigny.org

Families and children of all ages are invited to the park, which will be decorated for the holidays. Santa will be available for photos and Mrs. Claus will hand out a small takeaway (while supplies last). A strolling snowman and reindeer will add to the fun and present additional photo opportunities. The Lego Train Show also will be taking place in the Visitors Center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots drop boxes inside the visitors center. Time: 1 to 7 p.m. Admission: $5 parking; free with toy donation.

n ‘Joy! Joy! Joy!’

Dec. 4 & 5

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

203 S. Kensington Ave., La Grange

https://www.towerchorale.org

(708) 580-0997

The Tower Chorale’s first concert of the season will feature favorites like “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,” arranged by Howard Helvey; “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” arranged by Ken Berg; and the unofficial Tower Chorale anthem, “O Holy Night,” arranged by Brian Luckner. Time: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 3 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets: $23, $20 for seniors and students.

n ‘How Great Our Joy’

Dec. 5

Union Church

137 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale

https://hinsdale.church/as-advent-approaches/

The music ministry of the Union Church invites everyone to this in-person Christmas music worship service. Enjoy musical offerings from the Chancel Choir, Cantate, the Union Bells, WE, Children’s Chimes, Hammered Dulcimer and String Quartet. For everyone’s safety, performers will be masked and the congregation must be masked. Time: 10 a.m.

n Jingle Bell Java

Dec. 6

Hinsdale Central High School

55th and Grant streets

Central musicians will perform festive music at this annual event. Time: 7 p.m.

n Virtual: Christmas at Marshall Fields

Dec. 7

https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

For many Chicagoans, no Christmas season was complete without a visit to Marshall Field and Co. Hear about the store’s holiday traditions, including the Walnut Room Christmas tree, the window displays, the toy department and the catalogs. Join HPL and Leslie Goddard virtually for a fun and fascinating look at one of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions. Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m. RR

n Holiday Concert

Dec. 11

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville

https://www.nhbddupage.org

(630) 476-9072

The New Horizons Band of DuPage will perform selections of Holiday favorites. The concert will include sing-alongs, the New Horizons Concert Band, German Band and Jazz Band. New Horizons consist of musicians from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs under the direction of Maryann Flock. Time: 3 p.m.

n Holidays in Hinsdale

Dec. 11 & 18

Burlington Park

30 E. Chicago Ave.

Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the downtown, make festive gingerbread cookies and visit Santa during this special holiday event sponsored by the village. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

n CarolFest Christmas Concert

Dec. 12

Christ Church of Oak Brook

501 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook

https://www.christchurch.us/carolfest

Gather family and friends to celebrate the holiday season with one of the community’s beloved Christmas traditions. The afternoon will feature the Christ Church Chancel Choir accompanied by a chamber orchestra as well as organ, piano and professional soloists performing holiday classics, traditional carols and excerpts of Handel’s “Messiah.” The program will be presented in person and online with special ticketing and seating protocols described on the website listed above. Time: 3 p.m.

n ‘The Second City: It’s a Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Life’

Dec. 12

https://www.atthemac.org

(630) 942-3008

While the weather outside could be frightful, the laughter inside is most delightful as comedy’s best and brightest roast the chestnuts out of all the things there are to lovingly loathe about the holiday season. Bring those on the nice (or naughty) list for the perfect holiday de-stressor. Time: 4 p.m. Tickets: $30-$38.

n ‘Merry’

Dec. 12

Bolingbrook High School

365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook

(630) 887-7464

https://www.westsubsymphony.org

This festive concert from the West Suburban Symphony features carol medleys and holiday movie themes, Anderson’s spirited “Sleigh Ride” and excerpts from Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.” Audience members must be fully vaccinated. Time: 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Tickets: $25, with senior and youth discounts. RR

n Holiday Concert

Dec. 15

Hinsdale Central High School

55th and Grant streets

Central musicians will present their annual holiday concert. Time: 7 to 9:30 p.m.

n Family Gingerbread Houses

Dec. 15

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Families can register and then stop by the library to pick up their very own “dream” gingerbread house kit starting Dec. 15. Limit one per Hinsdale family. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. RR

n Santa’s Mailbox

Through Dec. 15

https://www.villageofhinsdale.org/

(630) 789-7090

Write a letter to Santa, drop it in the mailbox at village hall, 19 E. Chicago Ave., and receive a personal letter back in four to six business days. Be sure to include the parent form available on the website listed above under Special Events > Santa’s Mailbox. Questions? Call the number listed above or send an email to [email protected].

n ‘The Nutcracker’

Dec. 18-19

McAninch Arts Center

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

(630) 942-4000

https://www.atthemac.org

Salt Creek Ballet offers its production of this holiday classic, 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. 18, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 19. Tickets: $46, $36 for youth, $46 to stream on demand.

n Holiday Magic

Through Dec. 31

Brookfield Zoo

3400 31st St.

(630) 688-8400

https://www.czs.org/events

Visitors will enjoy more than 1 million twinkling LED lights, a 600-foot-long tunnel featuring lights synchronized to music and more at the zoo’s 40th annual Holiday Magic. Several animal areas will be open, including dolphin presentations at 4 and 6 p.m. Guests and zoo members must secure admission and parking tickets in advance. Reservation times will be available in 20-minute increments at https://www.czs.org/onlineticketing. Times: 3 to 9 p.m. Admission: $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for ages 3-11, $19.95 for seniors 65 and older plus $15 parking. RR, MD

n New Year’s Eve Concert

Dec. 31

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

https://www.atthemac.org

(630) 942-4000

Ring in the New Year with New Philharmonic and Maestro Kirk Muspratt performing waltzes, polkas, arias, light classical and pops. Times: 1:30, 5 & 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $67, $65 for seniors, $77 for gold circle table seating (including glass of bubbly and party favors), $67 to stream on demand. RR

n Skating in the Park and NYE Fireworks

Dec. 31

Parkway Bank Park

5501 Park Place, Rosemont

https://www.parkwaybankpark.com

Celebrate New Year’s Eve skating under the stars with a special fireworks display at midnight. Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission: Free, skate rental is $8.

Key

RR - registration required

MD - member discount