Cheap stuff: Christmas Walk, holiday concert
Free
Follow that gingerbread man!
Hinsdale's 44th Annual Christmas Walk features holiday activities including ice carvers, carolers, decorated trees, animated characters and the arrival of Santa Claus himself. Stores in downtown Hinsdale will be open late for the event, and will host the "Storybook Village - A Gingerbread's Tale" in their storefronts. There, visitors can follow the adventures of "Cookie" the gingerbread man through the shops' windows.
The Hinsdale Christmas Walk runs 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, in various locations in downtown Hinsdale. The "Storybook Village - A Gingerbread's Tale" event runs Friday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 31. Free. (630) 353-3952.
Colorful candies
Learn how bright, colorful hard candies are made from scratch in the "Candy for the Holidays" program at Kline Creek Farm. See the sugar mixture boiling on a wood-burning stove, and then take home a special recipe for modern kitchens.
Candy-making demonstrations run at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, Winfield. Free. No registration required. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com.
Jazzy holiday tunes
Aurora University's 15-piece Jazz Ensemble performs popular swing tunes and Christmas favorites in a holiday concert. Selections will include "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Embraceable You" and "Greensleeves."
Info: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center, 1305 Kenilworth Place, Aurora. Admission is free. Event is open to the public. (630) 844-5150.
$10 and under
'Food in the Atomic Age'
Discover how the mass marketing and automobile culture of the 1950s changed the way Americans cooked and ate in the new "Food in the Atomic Age" exhibit. See vintage advertising postcards, period textiles and kitchen objects from the museum's collection. Visitors can also explore a re-created 1950s kitchen and diner. Runs through Feb. 21, 2010.
Info: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays at the Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Drive, Wauconda. Admission is $2.50-$6. On Tuesdays admission is $3 for adults and free for ages 4-17. Note: There is a $1.25 charge per child for groups with five to 10 children on Tuesdays. (847) 968-3400 or lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org.
Singles hit the dance floor
Singles of all ages can join the Young at Heart Singles Club for an evening of ballroom dancing. The dress code is semi-dressy to dressy for women. Jackets are required for men. No jeans or gym shoes are allowed.
Info: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at the American Legion Hall, 9757 W. Pacific, Franklin Park. Doors open at 7 p.m. Members $7; guests $9. Hotline (630) 415-3449l. Directions to dances (847) 678-7068.
The woman behind that jolly old elf
The Chicago Kids Company presents "Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical," about Santa's wife.
Info: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Beverly Arts Center of Chicago, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. $10. (773) 445-3838 or beverlyartcenter.org.
'A Taste of Russia'
The Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra presents a classical program of works by Russian composers. "A Taste of Russia" features "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra" by Nikolai Miaskovsky, "Symphony No. 1 in G Minor" by Vassili Kallinikov and "Spring" by Alexander Glazunov.
Info: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall at Northwestern University, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. $4-$7. (847) 467-4000.