Choirs and choral groups entertain Friday nights at Millennium Park

Chicago

Do you hear what I hear?

After a day of power shopping or slaving away in the office cubicle, reconnect with the spirit of the season by strolling over to Cloud Gate (aka "The Bean") at Millennium Park. The holiday feeling is amped up to a solid 10 every Friday night when a variety of choirs and choral groups entertain with rousing carols and holiday singalongs. That it's taking place by the sculpture, which is among the largest and most visited of its kind in the world, is a plus. Performers include the Apollo Chorus of Chicago founded in 1872 after the Great Chicago Fire; Wooten Choral Ensemble, the oldest community choir in the nation; the Chicago Children's Choir; and the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Fridays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 18, at Michigan Avenue at Randolph Street in Chicago. (312) 742-1168 or millenniumpark.org

Hotel for the holidays

Taking off for grandma's or clueless about where to stash the extra relations this week? Hyatt Regency O'Hare offers an exclusive special Thanksgiving rate as part of its Park, Sleep and Fly "Explore" Package. From Sunday through Friday, Nov. 22-27, guests receive one night at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and free parking for up to 14 days for only $89. The hotel also will offer its Holiday Park, Sleep and Fly "Explore" package Dec. 8-30.

Nov. 22-27 and Dec. 18-30 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. (847) 696-1234 or ohare.hyatt.com.

Holiday favorite

Every boy and girl should see at least one ballet, and the one that keeps the squirming to a minimum is the Joffrey Ballet's rendition of "The Nutcracker." It's the 22nd anniversary of this popular family holiday event. The production features the full Joffrey company, local children's choruses and 120 young dancers from Chicago and the surrounding areas. The Chicago Sinfonietta will provide live musical accompaniment.

Showtimes vary Dec. 11-27 and at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway. Single tickets are priced from $25 to $100 and available at (800) 982-2787 or at ticketmaster.com.

Midwest

Sinterklaas is coming to town

It might be Santa here, but in Pella, Iowa, it's "Sinterklaas" and during Sinterklaas Days the man in the red suit arrives in a wooden ship, wears a bishop's miter and has a Moorish servant as a helper. Watch the parade of Christmas characters, decorated Dutch peddler carts and caroling bands march past downtown Pella's Dutch buildings and the Molengracht canal to the Tulip Toren. At the end of the procession looms a large ship carrying Sinterklaas and his helper Piets. A party at the Pella Opera House follows the parade when Sinterklaas reads from his book of good children (who get Dutch chocolate letters and coins) and then it's time for songs, stories and visits with Sinterklaas.

10 a.m. parade and 11 a.m. party Saturday, Nov. 28, at Pella House in downtown Pella, Iowa. Admission for breakfast and the party is $8. (641) 628-4311 or visit pellatuliptime.com/events/sinterklaas

Nights before Christmas

Step into a Christmas wonderland during the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes in historic Madison, Ind., held over two weekends. The holiday tour features four public historic sites bedecked in Christmas finery, including the Lanier Mansion, the Masonic Schofield House, the Sullivan House and the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum. The Madison Presbyterian Church is the site for caroling and holiday performances, and the tour also highlights five private homes not normally open to the public ranging from an1840s Italianate frame to a folk Victorian. On selected nights, take the tour by trolley or wagon and be sure to savor the taste of the holidays at one of Madison's restaurants, wineries and shops, which will be open extended hours during the tour.

5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28, and Dec. 4-5, and 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, at Madison Visitors Center, 601 W. First St., Madison, Ind. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-15 and can be purchased online at visitmadison.org. (800) 559-2956 or visit nightsbeforechristmas.com.

The way to really fly

Hide the iPods, stash the video games and get ready for some old-fashioned thrills at up to 40 mph, zipping down the toboggan at Pokagon State Park in Indiana. Less than 200 miles from Chicago, the refrigerated toboggan is the only one in the Hoosier state and one of only three in the Midwest. The 1,780-foot dual-lane toboggan whisks riders to the bottom of the slide in approximately 35 seconds and there's an adjacent warming center offering a fire and coffee, soup and sandwiches for purchase. Rented on a first-come, first-served basis, toboggans rent for $10 per hour and hold up to four people and children must be old enough to follow directions. (With the exception of Christmas break, there's a Friday night discount: rent two sleds and get one free).

5 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays Friday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Feb. 28, at Pokagon State Park, intersection of I-69 and I-80/90. The daily entrance fee into the park is $7 per out-of-state vehicle seven days a week. Call the Northern Indiana Lakes Country at (800) LAKE-101 or visit lakes101.org.

Worth the trip

Around the world in 80 days? You can do it in 26 days during AHI Travel's "Grand Journey Around the World." Seize the chance to see some of the world's wonders and iconic landmarks in eight countries on three continents. Among the sights are: Golden Pavilion in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto; Beijing's Forbidden City and the Great Wall; Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok; Dubai's Emerati culture and otherworldly landscapes; ancient Cairo's Pyramids and the Sphinx; Petra, Jordan; Mount Nebo, the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock in Israel; and much more. You'll be part of a small group limited to a maximum of 20 passengers traveling in business-class seats on Star Alliance carriers and relaxing in world-class accommodations such as Peninsula hotels in Asia and a hilltop Four Seasons in Amman. Comprehensive pricing is $29,995 per person (based on double occupancy).

Program dates are Aug. 28 to Sept. 22; Sept. 4-29; Sept. 11 to Oct. 6; Sept. 18 to Oct. 13; Sept. 5 to Oct. 20 and Oct. 2-27. (800) 323-7373 or ahitravel.com.