n Pizza with Santa
Nov. 30
KLM Park
5901 County Line Road
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr
(630) 789-7090
Santa is making a last minute stop by The Lodge at KLM Park for a pizza lunch. Be sure to bring a camera. Time: noon to 1:30 p.m. Cost: $30. RR
n Salt Creek Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1
Hinsdale Central High School
5500 S. Grant St.
http://www.saltcreekballet.org
The ballet company will opens its holiday season with performances at Hinsdale Central. Take photos with Santa after the 7 p.m. performance Nov. 30 and enjoy the Sugar Plum Party at the Dec. 1 matinee. Times: 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 30, 1 p.m. Dec. 1. Tickets: from $42.
n ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
203 S. Kensington Ave., La Grange
http://www.hinsdalechorale.org
(312) 510-1823
The Hinsdale Chorale will perform its annual holiday concert, with the first half featuring Haydn’s “Little Organ Mass” and pieces by Craig Carnahan, Stephen Foster, Lee Kesselman, and Jennifer Lucy Cook. The second half of the program will include a variety of traditional and more contemporary Christmas pieces. Time: 7 p.m. Nov. 30, 3 p.m. Dec. 1. Tickets: $20, $15 for students and seniors.
n Winter Wonderland
Dec. 1
KLM Park
5901 County Line Road
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr
(630) 789-7090
Join this fourth annual event featuring photos with Santa, music, holiday crafts and activities, visits with favorite “Frozen” characters, a hot chocolate bar, treats station and more. Sign up for time slot — and bring along a new toy to donate to the Toys for Tots drive. Times: 9 to 10 a.m., 10 to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. Cost: $20. RR
n The Second City: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Sweater
Dec. 1
McAninch Arts Center
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
(630) 942-4000
Kick-off the holiday season with this fast-paced, interactive comedy revue stuffed with seasonal songs, sketches, and of course, The Second City’s world-famous improv comedy. The show may contain adult themes and language. Times: 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets: $31-$49.
n Santa’s Mailbox
Dec. 1-8
Memorial Building
19 E. Chicago Ave.
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/departments/parks_and_recreation
Children can write a letter to Santa and drop it in the mailbox outside the Memorial Building or at the Winter Wonderland registration tent (see listing above). Be sure to include the parent form, which is available on the village’ website, so children can receive a return letter from Santa.
n Zion annual Women’s Advent Service
Dec. 3
Zion Lutheran Church
204 S. Grant St., Hinsdale
Women and girls (6 and older is recommended) are invited to join the Women of Zion for our annual heartwarming Women’s Advent Service featuring traditional Christmas hymns by candlelight followed by light desserts. Time: 6:30 p.m.
n ‘Christmas on State Street’
Dec. 4
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
(630) 986-1976
For decades, Christmas in Chicago meant a trip or two to State Street. This lecture by Leslie Goddards explores the history of Christmas at the big department stores on State Street using photos, ads and memorabilia. Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m. RR
n Hinsdale Christmas Walk
Dec. 6
Downtown Hinsdale
http://www.hinsdalechamber.com
The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce presents this holiday kick-off, starting with a tree lighting ceremony on the lawn of the Memorial Building at 5 p.m., where Santa Claus will make an appearance. Then head downtown to enjoy carousel and train rides, sip on hot chocolate, do some early Christmas shopping and collect give-aways. Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
n Hinsdale for the Holidays
Dec. 7
Burlington Park
30 E. Chicago Ave.
Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating and visits with Santa. Santa will return on Dec. 14 and 21. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
n Holiday Favorites with the Jolly Boys
Dec. 7
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 Holiday Art and Craft Market
Dec. 7-8
Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook
(630) 206-9566
Shop for quality artisan holiday gifts for family and friends. Those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8.
n Merry
Dec. 8
Hinsdale Central High School
5500 S. Grant St.
http://www.westsubsymphony.org
Join the West Suburban Symphony in welcoming Santa with a choral and orchestral program including Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival,” John Williams’ “Three Holiday Songs” from the movie “Home Alone,” Mannheim Steamroller hits, carol medleys and music from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet. Time: 3:30 p.m. Tickets: $30, $25 for seniors, $5 for teens, free for ages 12 and younger.
n ‘Nutcracker Suite’
Dec. 13
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
This festive “Nutcracker” event for all ages features snacks, crafts, festivities and an interactive performance. Time: 6 p.m. Tickets: $55
n Holiday Concert
Dec. 14
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville
The New Horizons Band of DuPage will perform well-known Christmas selections and audience favorites. The concert will include the New Horizons Concert Band, Brass Choir, German Band, Jazz Band and Woodwind Consort. New Horizons consist of musicians from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs under the direction of Maryann Flock. Light refreshments will follow the concert. Time: 3 p.m. Admission: Free, with donations accepted.
n ‘The Nutcracker on Ice’
Dec. 14-15
Seven Bridges Ice Arena
6690 Route 53, Woodridge
http://www.creativeicetheatre.com
Creative Ice Theatre, an elite skating program, will present its fifth annual production of this holiday classic on ice. Time: 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 14, 1 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets: $25-$40.
n ‘The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley’
Through Dec. 15
McAninch Arts Center
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
(630) 942-4000
As the events of Miss Bennet unfold upstairs at Pemberley, the servants below find themselves in the midst of a different holiday scandal. George Wickham, Lydia’s incorrigible husband and Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy, has arrived to disrupt the celebration. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44, $42 for seniors.
n Two Piano Christmas Concert
Dec. 21
Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church
201 N. Oak St.
Justin Gjata and Victor Moreno will present this holiday concert. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: A free-will offering will be collected.
n ‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 21-22
Hinsdale South Auditorium
7401 Clarendon Hills Road, Darien
The West Suburban Ballet Conservatory will present this holiday classic. Time: 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Dec. 22. Tickets: $40.
n Winter Holidays in the 1890s
Through Dec. 30
Kline Creek Farm
1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago
http://www.facebook.com/klinecreekfarm
(630) 206-9576
Join a guided tour of the 1890s farm house focusing on winter holiday traditions. Learn how farm families decorated the tree, exchanged gifts, and prepared food for the holidays. All ages are welcome and registration is not required. No tours Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Free, $5 suggested donation per person ages 3 and up.
