‘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 elegant family supper in the historic Thornhill Mansion. Following a decadent buffer dinner, 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
‘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
Holiday Afternoon Tea
Dec. 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.
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 Saturday, Dec. 21. 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 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
Celebrate the holiday seasons at Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival. 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, costumed characters, a model railroad display and more will add to the magical ambiance. The Chicago Wolves skating rink is also open. Visit the website listed above for a complete schedule. 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
Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31
Hinsdale Public Library
20 W. Maple St.
(630) 986-1976
https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info/events
Celebrate New Year’s Eve a little early with games, prizes and a special countdown to noon, complete with a toast. Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon.
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 to exchange best wishes for 2020. Times: 2, 5:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets: $67.
Zoo Year’s Eve
Dec. 31
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St.
(708) 688-8000
Enjoy the final night of Holiday Magic and ring in the New Year at the zoo’s family-friendly celebration. A live DJ sets the party tone in the Holly Jolly Theater, as do fun games, party favors, prizes and an early countdown at 8 p.m. At Hamill Family Play Zoo, youngsters can make noisemakers and enjoy an early kid-friendly countdown at 7:30 p.m. — especially great for families with children age 6 and younger. 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
Illumination: Tree Lights
Through Jan. 5
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 725-2066
Illumination will highlight 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 will debut 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
