Cheap stuff: Victorian Christmas, living Nativity, holiday lights show
Free
Happy holidays at the Wright home
Families are invited to enjoy a morning of free holiday events including a Victorian Christmas tour of the famed Frank Lloyd Wright home, free hot chocolate and holiday music at Family Fun Days. See the 12-foot Christmas tree that adorns the famous playroom in the Wright home. Youngsters are invited to play with Froebel blocks in Wright's drafting room - the same blocks that Wright played with as a child to learn about designs and shapes.
Info 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Free. (708) 848-1976 or gowright.org.
Young cellist
Eleven-year-old cellist Johannes Gray of Wilmette presents a holiday concert of classical cello music. The program features works by Handel, Dvorak, Corelli and Boccherini. Gray, who performs on a small Montagnana model cello that was crafted just for him, began his cello studios at the age of 21/2.
Info: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park. Free. Visit hpstrings.org.
Living Nativity
The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Elk Grove Village is hosting its Living Nativity program for all ages. Performers will re-enact the story of the birth of Christ. Live animals and musicians are also part of the event. A tent will protect visitors and performers from the weather. Refreshments served.
Performances are at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. Free. (847) 437-5897.
A lot of lights!
The Symphony in Lights Show continues in Bolingbrook, featuring more than 250,000 lights embedded in thousands of feet of holiday foliage. Recorded music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra accompanies the light show.
Runs nightly, on the hour, from 6 to 9 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Free. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com.
$10 and under
Double the musical fun
Two Harper College musical groups - the Concert Choir and the Camerata Singers - join together to present a concert with a wide variety of musical styles.
Info: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. $7-$10. Free for ages 12 and under. (847) 925-6100 or harpercollege.edu.
'A Glimpse of Christmas Past"
The Cuneo Museum and Gardens of Vernon Hills hosts its "A Glimpse of Christmas Past" program. The museum will be open and adorned in holiday flowers and decorations.
Info: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. Cost is $8 per person; free for children under age 15. (847) 362-3042 or cuneomuseum.org.
Candlelight Open House
The 1843 Durant House Museum hosts its annual Candlelight Open House with costumed docents guiding guests through the candlelit prairie homestead - adorned in authentic period decor. See an old-fashioned Christmas tree and a roaring fire in the hearth, and smell the fresh evergreens. The event also features music and dramatic performances of holiday stories. Guests can help themselves to treats of ginger cakes (made from an 1840s recipe) and hot cider.
Info: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, on Dean Street, one mile west of Randall Road, St. Charles. For all ages. $3. No reservations necessary. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org.
Holly jolly dancing
The Chicago area chapter of the USA Dance group hosts its monthly dance party, "Holly & Ivy Hop." The event, which is open to the public, features dance lessons and social dancing.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park. A "Jive" dance lesson runs from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Social dancing runs from 8:15 to 11 p.m. Admission is $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers; $6 for students with ID. (847) 577-9014 or visit usadancechicago.org.