Things to do Dec. 29-Jan. 4: New Year’s Eve, light shows, Christmas plays and more

If you didn’t have time to enjoy all of the holiday events this season, you’re in luck as many of the light shows, holiday stage productions, festivals and more are continuing through New Year’s.

Ongoing

Holiday Flower Show: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday, Dec. 30, at Wilder Park Conservatory, Church Street and Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst. A seasonal display of holiday flowers. epd.org/facilities/wilder-park-conservatory.

Festival of Lights: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29-30, and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 31, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. See thousands of twinkling lights, which come on at 3 p.m. Free admission; donations appreciated. cosleyzoo.org.

Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through the first week of January at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The museum’s annual celebration features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree, surrounded by a forest of more than 50 decorated trees. Museum admission. msichicago.org.

Dickens Holiday Village: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Monday, Jan. 1, at Kringle’s Christmas Village, 510 Orchard St., Antioch. Public art exhibit featuring lifelike figures representing scenes from the Dickens era. Free. antiochchamber.org.

“Downton Abbey — The Exhibition”: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through March 31 at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. See never-before-seen elements from the show, including original costumes, production-used props and exclusive footage from “Downton Abbey.” $27-$64. downtonexhibition.com.

WNDR Museum’s Winter WNDRland — “Iced In”: Opens at 10 a.m. daily through Monday, Jan. 1. Exhibit runs through Monday, Jan. 15, at WNDR Museum, 1130 W. Monroe St., Chicago. The museum has been transformed into an icy winterscape for guests to explore the expansive chill of the winter season. General admission tickets start at $32. wndrmuseum.com.

Light Up The Lake: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29-30, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, with some activities continuing through Sunday, Jan. 7, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Outdoor ice skating, ax throwing, outdoor firepits, light displays, live music, a holiday artisan market, fireworks on Saturday and more. Free admission, some activities require tickets. navypier.org.

Rosemont’s Chicago Wolves Ice Rink: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 28 at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Special hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, which includes a midnight fireworks display, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1. Free admission. Bring your own skates or rent skates on-site for $8. ParkwayBankPark.com.

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic: 3-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Dec. 27-31, Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Features over two million twinkling LED lights. Entertainment from 5-8 p.m. at North Pole at The Pavilions featuring Those Funny Little People, Juggling Elves, carolers and ice carving at the Nature Stage. Advance tickets are not required for North Gate entry but are required for South Gate entry. Parking fees. $20.95-$29.95. czs.org/HolidayMagic.

Wintrust Winterland: 3-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, through Jan. 7, on Gallagher Way and inside Wrigley Field, Chicago. Family-friendly activities and interactive experiences, including Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville with vendors, a 40-foot Ferris wheel and a lighted tree; an ice rink with bumper cars and skating; carnival games and rides; a lounge with fire pits, s’mores kits and refreshments; live music and more. Free admission; the Wrigley Field portion requires tickets, which are $5 in advance. gallagherway.com.

Illumination, Tree Lights: Time slots from 4:30-8 p.m. daily through Jan. 6 at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Holiday light display featuring 18 lighted installations including two new and four returning favorites with enhanced experiences. $12.80-$39. mortonarb.org.

Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select days through Jan. 7 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take an after-dark stroll through an array of illuminated displays from new installments to favorites like the Winter Cathedral. In advance: $30-$34 for adults, $17-$19 for kids 3-12; day of: $33-$37 for adults, $19-$21 for kids 3-12. Check for availability. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.

Sparkle Light Festival: Various times through Sunday, Dec. 31, at Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont. Stroll through five illuminated villages, including the Frozen Forest, Snowflake Circle, Winter Wonderland, the North Pole and Deck the Walls. Ice skate, take a free train ride on the “Holly Trolley” train and go tubing down the Alpine Slide. Festive food and beverages for purchase. $18-$70. Parking is at Impact Field’s parking garage for $5. For a schedule of hours and tickets, see sparklerosemont.com.

Winter Lights: 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 7, at Central Park, Jorie Boulevard and Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook. A free half-mile illuminated walk along paved pathways. Path will be closed during inclement weather. obparks.org/winterlights.

ZooLights: 4:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, through Sunday, Jan. 7, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Lighted displays, photo ops and interactive programming. $10 Fridays and Saturdays, $7 most weekdays, free on Mondays. lpzoo.org/event/zoolights.

Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival: 5-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 29-31, at Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. Holiday light show includes Christmas Market, photos ops, fire pits, s’mores, hot chocolate, adult specialty drinks and more. $10-$15. sonnyacres.com.

Santa’s Rock ‘N’ Lights: 5-10 p.m. daily through Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Drive-through animated lights show. $29.99-$36.99. santasrocknlights.com.

Willow Hill Lights: 5-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 6 at Willow Hill Lights, 1350 Willow Road, Northbrook. A drive-though holiday experience through 2.5 miles of displays including the Abominable Snowman and the 12 Days of Christmas. $40 per car/SUV; $60 per bus/limo. willowhilllights.com.

Friday, Dec. 29

New Year’s Eve Family Party: 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Vernon Hills Park District Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. DJ, games, open gym, countdown at 6 p.m. with a balloon drop, food for purchase and more. Registration required. $7, free for kids 2 and younger. vhparkdistrict.org.

Family New Year’s Bash: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Pavilion Community Center, 1000 Wellington Drive, Elk Grove Village. Ring in the New Year with music, dancing, ice cream sundaes, photo booth, balloon drop and more. Register at elkgroveparks.org.

Zedd: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Electronic music wizard Zedd performs. 18 and older. General admission $79.99; VIP $99.99. navypier.org.

Saturday, Dec. 30

Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Performers include the Strauss Symphony of America, Europaballett, conductor Michael Zehetner, soprano Brigitta Simon and tenor David Danholt. $35-$147. cso.org.

Radiance New Year’s Eve: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30-31, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Ring in the New Year with performances by Woolio, Boogie T. and more. Single-day tickets start at $84.99; two-day tickets start at $139.99. nyeradiance.com.

Kids In America concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Six-piece band pays tribute to the 1980s. $25-$35. rauecenter.org.

Sunday, Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Countdown to Noon: 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Downers Grove Recreation Center, 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove. Party favors, DJ Coach Josh, photo booth, face painting, snacks, a balloon drop and more for kids 2-10. Kids must be supervised by an adult. $25-$35. Register at dgparks.org.

Noon Year’s Celebration: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Salt Creek Sports Center, 647 Consumers Ave., Palatine. Dancing, bounce house, photo opportunities, crafts, a face painter and more, followed by a countdown to noon and balloon drop. $10 per resident, $12 per nonresident, free for guardians. saltcreekpd.com.

New Philharmonic’s “New Year’s Eve Pops & Viennese Celebration”: 1:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at McAninch Arts Center’s Belushi Performance Hall, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. New Philharmonic, with guest baritone Richard Ollarsaba, performs waltzes, polkas, light classical and pops music. There will be a champagne toast and more. $68-$80. atthemac.org/events/nye.

Family New Year’s Eve Party: 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Games, snacks, inflatables and a DJ. $12 per child before Dec. 30, $17 on Dec. 31, free for ages 18 and older accompanied by a child. dpparks.org.

Steve Cochran NYE Comedy Show: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Special guests include John DaCosse, Mike Toomey and Tim Benker. $40-$55. rauecenter.org.

American English: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. The Beatles tribute band performs the “Hey Jude” album in its entirety as well as re-creates the 1963 “Royal Command Performance” to celebrate its 60th anniversary. $40-$55. rauecenter.org.

NYE with the Pickin’ Pear: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Sidecar Supper Club & Beer Garden, 12 N. River St., Batavia. Tia Martini and Leon Elam create an original modern sound on two traditional instruments. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. sidecarsupperclub.com.

New Year’s Eve Dueling Pianos with Felix and Fingers: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook, 2815 Jorie Blvd., Oak Brook. Ring in 2024 with Dueling Pianos featuring Felix and Fingers. $30-$40. eventbrite.com.

On Stage

“A Christmas Carol”: 10 a.m. and noon Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29-30, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The 31st anniversary of Drury Lane Theatre’s production of Charles Dickens’ holiday tale. drurylanetheatre.com/Theatre-for-Young-Audiences.

“The Snow Queen”: 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 29-31, and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. A new musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fantastical coming-of-age adventure that inspired the Disney movie “Frozen.” Tickets start at $15.75. MarriottTheatre.com.

“Mrs. Claus”: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, and 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Apollo Theater, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Presented by Chicago Kids Company. $18. apollochicago.com.

“Beautiful, The Carole King Musical”: 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays, through Sunday, Jan. 7 (no 7:30 p.m. show Jan. 7), at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ticket prices start at $68. marriotttheatre.com.

“Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish”: 3 and 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30-31, at Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. A holiday musical telling the story of a rag doll who lives at the North Pole and wishes for a best friend and home of her own. $20. citadeltheatre.org.

“The Immersive Nutcracker — A Winter Miracle”: Various dates and times through Sunday, Jan. 7, at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago. This 30-minute immersive experience, set to Tchaikovsky’s music, weaves the classic tale of Marie and her toy nutcracker. Follow them on their magical adventure through the Land of Sweets, brought to life by renowned ballet dancers and innovative projection mapping technology. $29.99. immersive-nutcracker.com.

“Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 29-31, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Max the Dog narrates as the scheming Grinch decides to steal Christmas from the holiday-loving Whos. For ages 5 and older. $55-$150. broadwayinchicago.com/show/grinch-2023.

“A Christmas Carol”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. High-end production of Charles Dickens’ classic. $25-$75. goodmantheatre.org.

“Christmas With Elvis”: Various times and dates through Saturday, Jan. 7, at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The dramedy tells the story of a lonely, anxious and slightly angry woman who discovers, on Christmas Eve, that her ex-husband is getting remarried. Before she can indulge in her misery, the ghost of Elvis Presley appears in her apartment. Contains adult themes and language. $50-$75. chopintheatre.com.