The Week in Pictures gives you our favorite photos from the end of December
A group waves from the vestibule of a passenger car as Operation North Pole, an annual holiday train trip for seriously and terminally ill children and their families on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in Barrington. The Barrington Chamber of Commerce will be holding a charity event at Barrington Station to cheer on Operation North Pole and raise funds for a number of good causes.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The crew sets up a shot before filming a scene of a movie called Christmas at the Zoo at Conscious Cup Coffee Shop in downtown Libertyville on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Salvation Army Cadet Dalton Francis holds two bags of toys while boxes of food are loaded into a trunk on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 at the Salvation Army Community Center on Dempster Rd. in Des Plaines.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Dahlia, a three-year-old pit mix excitedly waves her tail as Laura Winnie Education and Community Engagement Coordinator at DuPage County Animal Services returns her to the kennel Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Wheaton.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Framed by a Star of David ornament and a Menorah, Oct. 7, 2023 Israel hostage Judith Raanan speaks about her ordeal and faith at Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 in Vernon Hills.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Larkin High School freshman Gabriel Mendez smiles after recording a song with radio club sponsor Oscar Chavez for School District U-46’s radio station WEPS-88.9 FM.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
About 150,00 holiday lights illuminate North School Park in Arlington Heights while thousands of others decorate trees around downtown during a cold sunset on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. The Arlington Heights Park District owned North School Park is a destination for families all year with festivals, an amphitheater for concerts, a fountain and playground and room for social gatherings.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
A wise man arrives on a camel as the Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich hosts its Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Patrick Kunzer/ for the Daily Herald
Children sing during an opening act which features simulated snow as the Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich hosts its Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Patrick Kunzer/ for the Daily Herald
3D printing samples line a table at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Makerplace on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 in Arlington Heights. Consumers are looking for ways to save money and make personal gifts from the heart this holiday season at makerplaces like the one in Arlington Heights
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Artist Tom Lynch shows his latest painting for the Daily Herald Christmas feature during a visit to the Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The spectacle to be seen upon entering on Dec. 24, 2025 at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington.
Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald
Below, Santa Claus ponders what to do with sleepyhead Xochi Rufino, 6, a first-grader of Elgin who just won’t wake up. Also seen is sibling Epi, 5, a preschooler, in Elgin on Dec. 25, 2025.
Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald
Santa Claus has entered the building to visit the Rufino residence in Elgin on Dec. 25, 2025 and offers a wave to Cande Rufino, 11, a sixth-grader, on Christmas morning.
Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald
Lisa Hinton, who, along with her husband Jim, are residents of an unincorporated neighborhood—53 Trails Estates (located east of Route 53, south of Army Trail Road, and west of Lombard Road)— who are resisting an effort by an industrial developer to buy their homes. According to residents, the developer wants to demolish the neighborhood to make way for an industrial site.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Trucker, 14, a male Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed from South Elgin is being read a story by his handler, Kim Sipple of South Elgin, and on right, Addie Krepps, 2, of South Elgin on Dec. 28, 2025 at the Gail Borden Public Library’s South Elgin branch in South Elgin.
Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald