Holiday events

47th Annual Christmas Walk and Storybook Village, various locations, Hinsdale: Christmas Walk features ice carvers, holiday carolers, annual tree lighting, animated characters, Radio Disney and Santa Claus. Christmas Walk runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. Storybook Village features 40 giant storybooks promoting the story of “Cookie” the gingerbread man in local businesses. Storybook Village runs Friday, Nov. 30, through Tuesday, Dec. 4. Free admission. Visit hinsdalechamber.com.

Acappellago concert, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook: Perform “Escape to ... A Midnight Clear” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Tickets: $17 adults, $14 students or seniors; (708) 484-3797, ext. 2. (630) 933-7681 or dupageforest.com/preserves/mayslake.html.

Aurora Polar Express, Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Storyteller reads “The Polar Express,” Santa, hot chocolate and cookies. $4 per person. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Aurora Santa House, Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23. Free. (630) 844-4731 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

“Babes in Toyland,” Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville: Presented by AlphaBet Soup Productions at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, and Friday, Nov. 30. (630) 932-1555 or absproductions.com.

Bloomingdale tree-lighting and annual library open house, Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale: Tuesday, Nov. 27. Tree-lighting with carolers at 6:45 p.m.; open house until 8:45 p.m. Includes Santa, harpist, kids activities and Lake Park High School Chorus. Free. (630) 924-2720 or mybpl.org.

Breakfast with Santa, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-15, 21-23 in the Gingko Restaurant in the Visitor Center. $23 members/$29 nonmembers for adults; $21/$25 children ages 2-12; free children under 2. Reservations: (630) 725-2066. Visit mortonarb.org.

Breakfast with Santa, Courtyard Banquet Hall, 3S200 Route 59, Warrenville: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Cost: $11 adults, $7 kids, free for ages 2 and under. Visit warrenvilleparks.org.

“Candlelight Carols,” Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles: The St. Charles Singers’ annual holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. (630) 513-5272 or stcharlessingers.com.

Candlelight at the Inn, Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2. Hospitality, food, music and bake sale. Donations accepted. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org.

Celebrate the Season, Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: Holiday festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1. Tree lighting, ice carving demonstrations, carolers, live reindeer, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Parking $2; admission free, but a small fee for some activities. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org.

“Celebration of Christmas,” Trinity Green Trails, 2701 Maple Ave., Lisle: The Chorus of DuPage, a men’s a cappella barbershop chorus, presents a selection of religious and secular holiday music in four-part harmony at 8 p.m. Dec. 1. $20. (630) 737-9199 or harmonize.com/dupage.

Celebration of Lights Festival, Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue, Batavia: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. Join the Batavia Park District in a community sing-along at 5:45 p.m., roasted chestnuts, and the ceremonial tree lighting at 6 p.m. A visit and photo opportunity with Santa at the Peg Bond Center at 6:15 p.m. Story Hour by Batavia Public Library from 6:15 to 7 p.m. in the Batavia Depot Museum. Hayrides for $1 or a nonperishable donation to the Batavia Food Pantry. Free admission and free parking north of the Batavia Government Center. (630) 879-5235 or bataviaparks.org.

“A Christmas Carol,” Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace: Charles Dickens’ classic tale of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and his holiday lesson about kindness and spreading good cheer. Runs through Saturday, Dec. 22. Show times vary. Some performances feature breakfast and dinner buffets with Santa Claus. $12. (630) 530-0111 or Drurylaneoakbrook.com.

“A Christmas Carol.” College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn: Students present Charles Dickens’ classic tale at and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Building K Theater on campus. $10 adults, $9 senior citizens and youth. (630) 942-4000.

Christmas Memories house tour, Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago: Experience a Victorian Christmas with tours that begin on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, Free; registration not required. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org.

“Christmas Presence I,” St. Margaret Mary Church, at corner of Naper Boulevard and Green Trails Drive, Naperville: Naperville Men’s Glee Club performs a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. For tickets, visit nmgc.org.

Christmas on the Square, Coral Street, alongside downtown square, downtown Huntley: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Take a free hayride, make free kids crafts and listen to the reading of classic holiday stories, sponsored by the Huntley Area Public Library. Shop the Kriss Kringle Market for holiday foods, gifts and decorations and buy some books from the Friends of the Library. See the Holiday Lights Parade at 4 p.m. and welcome Santa to Huntley to light the Holiday Tree. Have a free picture taken with Santa in the gazebo. Visit huntley.il.us.

Cosley Festival of Lights, Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton: 3 to 9 p.m. daily through Monday, Dec. 31. Lighted displays, animals, Christmas tree sale. (630) 665-5534 or cosleyzoo.org.

Dickens in Dundee, downtown Main Street, West Dundee: 25th annual holiday celebration starts Friday, Nov. 30, with tree lighting and caroling and continues Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 with Spirit of Christmas Parade, carols, reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and more. Visit dickensindundee.org for complete list of events.

The Enchanted Railroad, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: Daily through Jan. 8. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Garden railroad travels through an indoor winter wonderland. Free with arboretum admission. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Fox River Grove holiday tree lighting, Algonquin Road School, 975 Algonquin Road, Fox River Grove: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Bring the kids to have picture taken with Santa. There will be craft activities and entertainment. Visit foxrivergrove.org.

Frosty Fest, West Chicago: Downtown West Chicago will be transformed into an old-fashioned vignette with horse-drawn wagons, live reindeer, a grand tree lighting, Victorian carolers and more from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. All activities are free and open to the public. Dress for the weather, as many activities are outdoors. (630) 293-2200, Ext. 135 or westchicago.org.

Gilberts tree lighting, Town Square Park, off Jackson Street, Gilberts: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, in the gazebo. Visit villageofgilberts.com.

Glendale Heights tree lighting, Glendale Heights Village Hall, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26. Carols, refreshments after lighting in senior center. (630) 260-6000 or glendaleheights.org.

Holiday Open House, McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Event features special Christmas exhibit. It is Christmas Eve in a 1950s living room somewhere in “My Town” McHenry County. Activities include the annual Marengo-Union Christmas Walk. Private homes are open for the sale of crafts, collectibles and antiques. (815) 923-2267 or mchsonline.org.

Holiday Rock on the Fox, Riverfront Park, 201 N. Harrison St., Algonquin: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Tree lighting, candy cane hunt, visit with Santa and his friends, listen to holiday music and more. Donation bins available for nonperishable food and new unwrapped toys. Visit algonquin.org.

Holiday in the Grove, Sugar Grove Community House, 141 Main St., Sugar Grove: Saturday, Dec. 1. Breakfast with Santa (which requires advance registration), Children’s Holiday Shop, sleigh rides, Nativity sets, caroling, crafts. Visit holidayinthegrove.com.

Holiday in the Hollow, Sabatino Park, Winmoor Drive and Willow Lane, Sleepy Hollow: The Sleepy Hollow Service Club hosts illumination of the flagpole and the circle-of-cheer Christmas trees from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Sleepy Hollow Elementary School students will offer musical entertainment. Enjoy hot cocoa and a visit from Santa. (847) 426-6700 or sleepy-hollow.il.us.

“Home for the Holidays: Big Band and Swing Dance Night,” Cosman Cultural Center, 12015 Mill St., Huntley: Saturday, Dec. 1. Features swing dance lessons from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and live music with the Ocean Blu Big Band from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door. (847) 669-3180 or huntleyparks.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play,” Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake: 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Williams Street Repertory presents the classic holiday film presented as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a live audience. $22-$28. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

Itasca Family Christmas Concert, St. Peter Church, 524 N. Rush St., Itasca: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. $10 adults; $5 children age 3-17; free for under 3. Tickets available at Itasca Community Library. Benefits the Itasca Walk-in Ministry, PADS and Itasca Food Pantry. (630) 773-8818 or (630) 773-1272.

“A Jazzy Christmas,” Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville: The Naperville Chorus joins with Pete Ellman Big Band at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Concert features a Christmas cantata with solos by Swedish musician/composer Nils Lindberg. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students and senior citizens. (630) 637-7469.

“Jingle Bell Rock,” Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Featuring Eddie Money, Edgar Winter, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. $49-$89. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

Jinglebell Jubilee, downtown Lombard: Runs 1 to 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, as Santa Claus arrives in a fire truck. Tree lighting follows at 5:30 p.m. at Main Street and St. Charles Road. Lilacia Park lit at 6 p.m. Horse-drawn carriage rides from 6 to 8 p.m. on Park Avenue. Holiday sing-along from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Maple Street Chapel. (630) 620-8063 or lombardtowncentre.org.

Lights of Lisle, Lisle, Main Street, downtown Lisle: Santa Parade at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Trolley rides from 3 to 5:30 p.m.; ice carving demonstrations from 3 to 6 p.m. at Lisle Station Park; holiday entertainment from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Lisle Village Hall. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. at village hall. (630) 968-3330.

Lisle “Once Upon a Christmas,” Lisle Station Park, 921 School Street, Lisle: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Holiday crafts, music, brick oven baking, blacksmith and model trains. Santa at Depot Museum. Free. (630) 968-0499.

Lombard Christmas tour, Lombard Historical Museum, 23 W. Maple, Lombard: Candleight tour from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Free. (630) 629-1885 or lombardhistory.org.

Naperville Hometown Holidays, downtown Naperville: 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Free trolley rides around the downtown from 1 to 4 p.m. Little Friends Parade of Lights steps off at 4:30 p.m. on Water Street and ends near Naper School. High school entertainers from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. and at 5:15 p.m. on parade main stage at Main and Van Buren streets. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit children from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at the Santa House at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street. Visit naperville.il.us.

Naperville Santa House, Naperville Riverwalk, Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, Naperville: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. (630) 548-5000.

The New Tradition show chorus, Glenbrook South High School, 4000 W. Lake Ave., Glenview: Seventy-five member a cappella group presents classic and contemporary Christmas and Hanukkah music. 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Call (847) 746-9246, or visit newtradition.org. (847) 746-9246.

Promenade Bolingbrook’s “Symphony in Lights” holiday light show, Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook: Runs through Monday, Dec. 31. Show begins at dusk nightly, and runs every hour on the hour until 9 p.m. Show features more than 250,000 lights, along with recorded music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Free. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com.

Reindeer Run, downtown Wheaton: Wheaton Lions Club and Wheaton Park District host 5K run starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Cost: $25 through Nov. 27; $35 on race day; CARA members receive $3 discount. (630) 682-0633 or downtownwheaton.com.

“Scrooge the Musical,” Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles: Bringing back last season’s popular musical adaptation of the age-old holiday tale of redemption in a fresh new staging. Performances at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Des. 1. Tickets are $25; $23 for seniors, age 62 and older, and youth, ages 16 and younger. (630) 587-8521 or SteelBeamTheatre.com.

Shades of Crimson Poinsettia Display, Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27. More than 3,000 poinsettias. Tours, plants for sale. Enter at Shaffner Road for access to greenhouse. Free. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org.

“Shine 2012: All Things Are Possible,” Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville: One Way Ministries and the Wheaton College Gospel Choir present a Christmas and worship service at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. Tickets: $15 adults; $5 children under 12. (630) 637-7469.

“Sing-Along with Santa!,” Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles: Interactive musical presentation for children and families through Sunday, Dec. 23, on the children’s stage. 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays (except in November, only 1 p.m. Sunday shows). $15 adults; $10 children. (630) 587-8521 or SteelBeamTheatre.com.

“Songs for the Season: A Gavin Coyle Christmas,” Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville: Singer/songwriter performs his annual benefit for the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. $30. (630) 637-7469.

Swedish Christmas and St. Lucia Festival, Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Presented by the Swedish American Children’s Choir. Cost $15 per person or $8 for children, ages 6 to 12. The concert and Swedish Sweet Table are included in the price. There will be a visit by “Jul Tomte” (Santa). Reservations are required by calling (630) 414-9700.

Touching on Traditions, Elgin Public Museum, Lords Park, 225 Grand Blvd., Elgin: Annual exhibit featuring displays of winter holidays around the world. Stop by the International Gift Shop for holiday gifts. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 1-16. Open daily from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 22-31, except Dec. 24 and 31 (noon to 3 p.m.) Closed Tuesday, Dec. 25. $1-$2. (847) 741-6655 or elginpublicmuseum.org.

Villa Park Joyful Traditions, Rugaard Gazebo on the Illinois Prairie Path, Ardmore Avenue and Park Boulevard, Villa Park: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Santa and village president light the village tree, trolley rides, musical entertainment, free pictures with Santa, tasting tent and chance to win the world’s largest Christmas stocking. (630) 941-9133 or vprd.org.

West Chicago Frosty Fest, downtown West Chicago: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Santa and Mrs. Claus, tree lighting, horse-drawn wagon rides, live reindeer, ice sculptor, Victorian carolers, crafts, window decorating contest. Free. (630) 293-2200, Ext. 141.

Winfield tree lighting, Winfield Village Green, Jewell and Winfield roads, Winfield: 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Lighting follows Snacks with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. Free. (630) 933-7100 or villageofwinfield.com.

“Winter Wonderettes,” Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles: Fox Valley Repertory presents a holiday musical full of classic 1960s hits, including “Santa Baby,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “It’s a Marshmallow World” and more through Dec. 30. $32-$42. Rated PG. Visit website for daily schedule. (630) 584-6342 or pheasantrun.com.

The Lakeside Singers with “Tis The Season” concert, Nichols Concert Hall at Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. $10-$30. (847) 382-5085 or laskesidesingers.com.

The New Tradition show chorus, Glenbrook South High School, 4000 W. Lake Ave., Glenview: Seventy-five member a cappella group presents classic and contemporary Christmas and Hanukkah music. 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Call (847) 746-9246, or visit newtradition.org.