n Acappellago
Dec. 4
Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook
(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
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
(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
(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
(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
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
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
(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
