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.
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.
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. This year’s performance includes holiday classics, traditional carols and excerpts of Handel’s “Messiah.” The afternoon will feature the Christ Church Chancel Choir accompanied by a chamber orchestra as well as organ, piano and professional soloists. 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.
‘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. It’s enough merriment and music to keep you jolly ’til the Chicago snow melts — next May. Time: 4 p.m. Tickets: $30-$38.
‘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
Holly Jolly Trolley
Dec. 15
Departs from Immanuel Hall
302 S. Grant St., Hinsdale
https://www.hinsdalehistory.org
Join the Hinsdale Historical Society’s Women’s Board on a trolley tour of the best-lit homes in Hinsdale. Enjoy live holiday music and vignettes from “The Nutcracker” by the West Suburban Ballet Conservatory while waiting at Immanual Hall. Some times have already sold out. Proceeds benefit the Hinsdale Historical Society. The tours run every 30 minutes from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost: $25.
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.
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
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].
‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 17-19
Reber Center Auditorium
Lyons Township High School
100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange
West Suburban Ballet Conservatory offers its inaugural performance of this holiday classic. Times: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $30.
‘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.
Supper with St. Nick
Dec. 18-19 & 22-23
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 725-2066
Enjoy a decadent buffet dinner in the Thornhill Education Center and then head on over to the Founder’s Room for a special visit with Santa in front of the fireplace. After dinner, enjoy Illumination: Tree Lights, included in the ticket price. Time: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Cost: $95, $80 for young adults ages 13-20, $65 for children 3-12, free for children under 3. RR, MD
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, a 41-foot tree and more at the zoo’s 40th annual Holiday Magic. Take memorable photos inside the new illuminated gingerbread house or the luminous 20-foot-tall orb or pose for a selfie next to the Santa Claus cutout. View the new “Sea of Lights” colorful display on the West Mall and more than 600 decorated community and corporate trees along the malls and around Roosevelt Fountain. Several animal areas will be open, including dolphin presentations at 4 and 6 p.m. Both 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
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, which welcomes back baritone Ted Allen Pickel, who sang the title role from the production of “The Mikado” the MAC stage. Maestro Kirk Muspratt conducts waltzes, polkas, arias, light classical and pops, reflecting back and propelling audiences forward as only music can. 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
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.
Illumination
Through Jan. 2
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
The ninth annual Illumination: Tree Lights returns to the arboretum as a walking trail, with five new features this year, including Human+Nature sculpture Hallow lit at night. Along the route, warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores or stop in one of the concession tents for a snack and beverage. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged as many dates sell out. Hours: 4:30 to 8 p.m. slots. Tickets: $13-$24. RR, MD
Key
RR - registration required
MD - member discount
