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
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
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
(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
