Holiday happenings

n Open House

Dec. 1

Yankee Peddler

30 E. Hinsdale Ave.

http://www.hinsdalehistory.org

Stop in for bites and sips and to meet representatives of the Hinsdale Historical Society, who will share information about a membership promotion and exciting events this year. Time: 3 to 7 p.m.

n Holiday Magic

Dec. 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 26-31

Brookfield Zoo

3400 31st St.

(630) 688-8400

http://www.czs.org/holidaymagic

Bright lights and magical nights await guests at the 41st annual event. Visitors will enjoy more than 2 million twinkling LED lights, a 41-foot tall tree choreographed to seasonal tunes, photo opportunities in the ever-popular 20-foot-tall orb and 3D 16-foot-tall gingerbread house, a 600-foot-long “Tunnel of Lights” and more. Many of the zoo’s animal buildings will be open as well restaurants and gift shops offering an array of unique items. View more than 600 decorated community and corporate trees along the malls. Advanced registration and tickets are required. 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 Hinsdale Holiday Trees Ornament making & contest

Dec. 2 deadline

Village Hall

19 E. Chicago Ave.

http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr

(630) 789-7090

Help decorate the Hinsdale holiday trees in Burlington Park by making a homemade ornament, which can be entered in a contest to win a prize. Ornaments should be made of weatherproof material and should not have sharp edges, pointy ends or heavy materials. A 10- to 12-inch string or twine should be attached for hanging. Submissions should not contain content that promotes foul language or discrimination or is deemed graphic, obscene or explicit. Ornaments should be delivered with the entry form (available online) to village hall between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

n Pizza with Santa

Dec. 3

KLM Lodge

5901 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale

http://www.villageofhinsdale.org

(630) 789-7090

Santa is making a special stop for a pizza lunch, dessert and photo ops. Time noon to 3 p.m. Cost: $26. RR

n Annual Winter Event

Dec. 3

Signature Homes

22 N. Lincoln St., Hinsdale

Signature Homes will kick off the holiday season with its annual event, featuring Wally’s Waffles, sweet treats, horse and buggy rides and ice carvings — plus a visit from Santa. Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

n Oh What Fun! Christmas Party

Dec. 3

Christ Church of Oak Brook

501 Oak Brook Road

https://christchurch.us/party

Bring the family for this fun event, featuring a Christmas train, cookie decorating, crafts, photo stations, music and bouncy houses. Guests can also help wrap Christmas gifts for under-resourced children. Admission is free and registration is optional through the website above. Hours: 9 a.m. to noon.

n Celebrate the Season

Dec. 3

Cantigny Park

1SS151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

(630) 668-5161

http://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 read classic holiday stories inside the visitors center theater. Decorate an ornament (while supplies last), take a horse-drawn sleigh ride and enjoy live classical music in the First Division Museum. A strolling snowman and reindeer will add to the fun and present additional photo opportunities. A holiday history hike will step off at 5 p.m. from the visitors center. 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 ‘What Sweeter Music’

Dec. 3 & 4

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

203 S. Kensington Ave., La Grange

http://www.towerchorale.org

(708) 580-0997

The Tower Chorale, under the direction of Patrick Gordon, offers its annual holiday concert. Time: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Tickets: $25, $22 for seniors and students.

n Trip to Aurora’s Christkindlmarket

Dec. 9

Leave from The Community House

415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale

http://www.thecommunityhouse.org

(630) 323-7500

Shop for German food, beverages, and handcrafted gifts at this German-style Christmas market resembling winter holiday markets in Europe. Shop among dozens of vendors, sample treats like bratwurst, pretzels, roasted nuts and hot spiced wine, and enjoy music and holiday lights. Round-trip motor coach transportation is included. Time: 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Cost: $95. RR, MD

n Nutcracker Suite

Dec. 9

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale

http://www.wsballet.org/performances

Adults will mingle, drink and savor holiday treats in a festive atmosphere while children enjoy Nutcracker-themed activities and craft a costume piece that they will wear later in the evening, when they step onstage to perform alongside West Suburban Ballet Conservatory ballerinas. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets: $50 for adults, $10 for children.

n Holiday Favorites with the Jolly Boys

Dec. 10

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Enjoy this performance of holiday favorites with Hinsdale’s own Jolly Boys and embrace the season. Hot chocolate will be provided. Time: 3 to 4 p.m. RR

n ‘Merry’

Dec. 11

Hinsdale Central High School

5500 S. Grant St.

http://www.westsubsymphony.org

The West Suburban Symphony will perform a holiday concert featuring Santa, carols and tunes celebrating sleighs and winter wonderlands and a reading of “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” set to music. Time: 3:30 p.m. Tickets: $25, discounts for seniors and teens.

n Midwest Baking with Shauna Sever

Dec. 13

http://www.hinsdale.libnet.info

(630) 986-1976

Join Shauna Sever, cookbook author, TV and radio contributor, and daughter of the great Midwest, for this special holiday webinar offered through the Hinsdale Public Library. Shauna will share tips to make your holiday gatherings delicious. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR

n Holly Jolly Trolley

Dec. 14

Immanuel Hall

302 S. Grant St., Hinsdale

http://www.hinsdalehistory.org

The Hinsdale Historical Society invites residents to enjoy holiday caroling with the Hinsdale Chorale, dancing from “The Nutcracker” by the West Suburban Ballet Conservatory and libations and sweets at Immanuel Hall before enjoying a 20-minute tour to see the best lit homes in town. Click on “Programs & Events” on the website listed above to purchase tickets. Time: 5 to 9 p.m. Cost: $25.

n Santa’s Mailbox

Through Dec. 16

http://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 Interactive Holiday Movie: ‘Elf’

Dec. 17

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 323-1976

All ages are invited to watch this fun holiday movie with a bag of props and treats to be used at certain times throughout the film. Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m. R

Key

RR - registration required

MD - member discount