Budget-friendly fun: Festival of Lights sparkles at Bolingbrook's Promenade

Posted November 10, 2015 5:00 am

By Laura Milbrath Stewart

The Promenade Bolingbrook hosts specials events for the whole family on Saturday leading up to the ceremonial tree lighting for its annual Festival of Lights. Courtesy of the Promenade Bolingbrook

Free

Festival of Lights

The holiday season is in full force at the Festival of Lights, Bolingbrook's traditional tree-lighting event at The Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Start off the season with horse and wagon rides, kids' crafts, dance performances, story time, a petting zoo, a live nativity, costumed characters and more. The traditional tree-lighting celebrates Bolingbrook's 50th anniversary. Guests are asked to bring a new pair of mittens or a hat for donation to the needy. Free. (630) 296-8350 or shoppingpromenade.com. 1 to 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Tree-lighting is at 5:15 p.m.

Tea with 'Eleanor'

Actress and historian Leslie Goddard portrays former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Goddard portrays Roosevelt in 1954, as she considers serving on the American delegation of the newly formed United Nations. While having tea, "Eleanor" discusses her childhood, her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, her life in the White House and more. Free. (847) 244-5150 or wnpl.info. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

Seeing Doc

Doc Severinsen, 88, legendary trumpet player and former bandleader for "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson," will conduct a free master class, where he will discuss his life and career, and perform with the Elmhurst College Jazz Band. The program, which is open to the public, takes place in Elmhurst College's Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Free. (630) 617-3515 or elmhurst.edu. 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19

$15 and under

Something sweet

Learn about the latest trends at America's Baking and Sweets Show at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, Watch demonstrations, take part in hands-on classes, and find treats for the holidays and other special occasions. This year's theme is "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." One-day admission is $15 for adults; $10 for seniors (ages 65 and older) and students (ages 13-17); $10 for military personnel. Show special on Friday: $6 for students and teachers (with ID). Visitors can save $2 off admission online at americasbakingandsweetsshow.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

'Gypsy'

See stage mother Mama Rose and her pursuit of fame for her two daughters as Harper College presents the classic Arthur Laurents musical "Gypsy" in the college's Performing Arts Center (Building R), 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The score, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, includes tunes such as "Let Me Entertain You" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses." Tickets cost $12-$15. (847) 925-6100 or harpercollege.edu. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14 and 20-21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 and 22

'Cottages in the Woods'

Celebrate an old-fashioned Scandinavian Christmas during the seventh annual "Cottages in the Woods" event in Good Templar Park, 628 East Side Drive, Geneva. The event features Scandinavian crafts, food and folklore in 12 unique cottages in a wooded area. Look for gnomes and Tomte, a Scandinavian Santa Claus. See crafters carving traditional wooden Swedish dala horses and painting watercolor prints. Other highlights include Swedish fare and stories. $5; free for kids 12 and younger. facebook.com/cottagesinthewoods. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

Kaye plays the blues

Blues artist Paul Kaye headlines the Acorn Coffeehouse in the Burning Bush Art Gallery, 216 N. Main St., Wheaton. Kaye performs a variety of styles of blues guitar - everything from ragtime and electric blues to acoustic fingerstyle, soul and R&B. Kaye also specializes in playing the mandolin and banjo. $10. (630) 393-1247 or acorncoffeehouse.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

'The Wizard of Oz'

Classic Cinemas and The Salvation Army team up to launch the Salvation Army's annual fundraising Red Kettle Campaign with a special screening of the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" at the York Theatre, 150 N. York St., Elmhurst. Tickets cost $7.50. All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army. (630) 808-4165 or classiccinemas.com. 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

Music and more

Music memorabilia collectors can browse through records, CDs, posters and celebrity autographs at the Northwest Suburban Record and CD Show at the Holiday Inn Express, 1550 Dundee Road, Palatine. Admission is $3. For details, call (847) 409-9656. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

Doc Severinsen will perform with the Elmhurst College Jazz Band on Thursday, Nov. 19. Associated Press File Photo

Actress and historian Leslie Goddard portrays former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt in a program at the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee. Courtesy of Leslie Goddard

See a screening of "The Wizard of Oz" at the York Theatre in Elmhurst.

Celebrate a traditional Scandinavian Christmas at the seventh annual Cottages in the Woods. Courtesy of Jody Moreen

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.