Calendar

Near

Have a Dickens of a Christmas

Experience an old-fashioned Christmas weekend in Cambridge, Wis., Dec. 1 and 2. Cambridge Country Christmas, inspired by author Charles Dickens, features strolling carolers, Victorian revelers, merchants in Victorian garb, street lamps wrapped in garlands, hayrides and roasted chestnuts. (113 miles from O'Hare, (608) 423-3780, www.cambridgewi.com)

Christmas card town just over state line

Thousands of spectators get in a holiday mood in Elkhorn, Wis., when they attend the annual Christmas Card Town Parade, an event recalling the town's status as a model for Christmas cards and as a setting for a holiday television program. This year's parade, Dec. 1, will again draw about 100 entries in the form of floats, bands, novelty acts and, of course, Santa Claus. (69 miles from O'Hare, (262) 723-5788, www.elkhorn-wi.org/parade.php)

Enjoy old-fashioned holiday in Amana

During the Amana Colonies Christmas Haus Tour, Dec. 1 and 2, you'll tour century-old, private homes decorated for the holidays and take part in the ambience of Christmas in the Amana Colonies, a group of historic communities in and around Amana, Iowa. Visit with homeowners and get to know the colonies in a whole new way while you visit homes with stories as remarkable and varied as the colonies themselves.

While you are in the area, visit Tannenbaum Forest, open Nov. 23 through Dec. 16. This enchanted forest at the Festhalle Barn is created by local businesses, artists and volunteers. Live Christmas trees inspire holiday wishes while you visit with Santa and see the 17-foot handcrafted Weihnacht's pyramid and a hand-carved Nativity scene.

Prelude to Christmas, running Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, is the colonies' advent celebration. Shop on candlelit streets in the village of Amana and visit the Amana Church Craft Bazaar and Cookie Walk.

During Glimpse of Christmas Past, also Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, you'll enjoy a program of songs, poetry and storytelling that lets you experience a Christmas in communal Amana a century ago.

(244 miles from O'Hare, (800) 579-2294, www.amanacolonies.com/calendar.htm)

Tour homes in the Galena Territory

Tour five privately owned homes beautifully decorated for the holiday season in the Galena Territory during the Holiday House Walk on Dec. 1. These self-guided tours in the Galena, Ill., resort community will include light holiday refreshments and a raffle for handmade holiday items in the Owners' Club. (148 miles from O'Hare, (815) 777-2000, www.thegalenaterritory.com)

Arts open house held in Detroit

The 35th Noel Night in Detroit, Mich., spotlights the city's diverse holiday traditions in the heart of its Cultural Center, home to the newly renovated Detroit Institute of Arts and many other museums, institutions, historic churches and area galleries. All will be open free of charge on this night, Dec. 1. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, music, dance, children's activities and arts and crafts. (308 miles from O'Hare, (313) 577-5088, detroitmidtown.com/05/culevents_noelnight.php?msub=3)

Michigan parade goes to the dogs

Four-legged friends decked out for the holidays as Santa Bernards, Elfin Elkhounds and Reindeer Rottweilers kick off the season during the Reindog Holiday Parade in St. Joseph, Mich., Dec. 1. Bands, carolers and crazy floats are all part of the wacky parade. (113 miles from O'Hare, (269) 985-1111, www.sjtoday.org/sjtoday_htm/events.htm)

Balloons will color the winter sky

Giant hot air balloons add a festive touch to Battle Creek, Mich., during the Holiday Balloon Fest Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. Events include Frosty Balloon Flights and evening Glittering Balloon Glows. (187 miles from O'Hare, (269) 962-4076, www.holidayballoonfest.com)

Far

Historic adobes open in Monterey, Calif.

Monterey, Calif., is steeped in culture, history and holiday good cheer during Christmas in the Adobes Dec. 6 and 8. Link the dots on a leisurely evening stroll through 20 of Monterey's top historical sites, including the Custom House, Cooper-Molera Adobe or Casa Soberanes. This is the only time of the year that many of these 19th-century buildings are open to the public and open in the evening. Most of the historic buildings are in close proximity, so visitors are able to walk, using a self-guided brochure, to any or all of the historic houses. Once inside the house or building, staff and docents, many in period clothing, will tell its history. Illuminated with candles and luminarias, Christmas in the Adobes includes period music, living history, carolers and hot cider. ((831) 649-7118, www.parks.ca.gov/mshp)

Cruise past the lights on the Pecos River

Christmas on the Pecos in Carlsbad, N.M., is created by more than 100 homeowners who spend hours decorating their property along the Pecos River. Each evening from Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, 50-minute pontoon boat tours cruise past these houses and the millions of lights illuminating the riverfront, boat docks and islands. The event, designated one of the Top 100 events in 2007 by the American Bus Association, has grown steadily over the years with more than 16,800 people participating in 2006. ((505) 887-6516, www.christmasonthepecos.com)

Dine as you progress through history

Christmas past comes to life in James River Plantation Country in Williamsburg, Va., during the James River Plantation Progressive Carol Tour and Dinner. On Dec. 8, 14, 15 and 29 you can explore history and enjoy holiday musical traditions and culinary delights while touring Piney Grove (1790), Ashland (1835), Ladysmith (1857) and Duck Church (1917). You will enjoy the Gordineer family's unique collection of Christmas decorations that spans five generations. ((804) 829-2480, www.pineygrove.com)

Walk through historic Palm Springs inns

Historic inns in Palm Springs, Calif., will be a part of a multi-block downtown open house on Dec. 6. At least a dozen inns are expected to participate in the 12th Annual Palm Springs Walk of the Inns. The tour is self-guided and participants can begin at any of the hotels or, for easier parking, at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The boutique inns of Palm Springs are an eclectic group of small properties from three to 50 rooms, most of architectural significance from the early adobes of the 1920s to the mid-century architecture for which Palm Springs is world-renowned. Maps are distributed at each of the participating hotels and each will have a Toys for Tots drop-off box. The museum will provide complimentary admission. That evening is also the night of VillageFest, where Palm Canyon Drive is closed to vehicular traffic and arts and crafts and food booths run the length of the street. ((800) 927-7256, www.palm-springs.org)

• Event details are subject to change; contact organizers for updated information.