Cheap stuff: Christmas in the Garden, light show, Cosley Zoo festival

Posted December 24, 2009 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Saxophonist David Polk and his jazz band, the David Polk Project, star at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. Courtesy of David Polk

Free

Christmas in the Garden

For the first time, the Chicago Botanic Garden will be open to the public on Christmas Day. Visitors will have access to the Garden's grounds, the Visitors Center and the greenhouses. The Wonderland Express exhibit, ice skating at the Esplanade, the Garden Cafe and the Garden Shop will be closed.

Info: Open from 8 a.m. to sunset Friday, Dec. 25, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. There is no admission or parking fee on this special day. (847) 835-5440. Visit chicagobotanic.org.

Celebrating with the animals

Cosley Zoo celebrates the holiday season with its Festival of Lights and Trees. Visit with the zoo's animals, see lighted displays and purchase holiday gifts and greenery.

Info: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Dec. 30; 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Free admission, but donations are appreciated. (630) 665-5534 or wheatonparkdistrict.com./cosleyzoo.

Russell Phillips exhibit

The Brickton Art Center of Park Ridge presents "Russell Phillips: An Exhibition of Six Projects," featuring photography and graphic furniture created by artist and photographer Russell Phillips.

Info: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, through Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Brickton Art Center, 306 Busse Hwy., Park Ridge. Free and open to public. (847) 823-6611 or bricktonartcenter.org.

Light bright in Bolingbrook

Bolingbrook's Symphony in Lights Show features more than 250,000 lights embedded in thousands of feet of holiday foliage, along with the recorded music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The lights will be on through the final day of 2009.

The Symphony in Lights show runs at dusk, on the hour from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 25, through Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Free. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com.

$10 and under

Lake County Wonderland

Cuneo Museum and Gardens offers its annual drive-through Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show through the second day of 2010. See holiday displays and familiar cartoon characters lit up by thousands of colorful, twinkling lights.

Info: 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Jan. 2, at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. $5 per car Mondays through Thursdays; $10 per car Fridays through Sundays. Closed Friday, Dec. 25. (847) 362-3042 or cuneomuseum.org.

A jazzy evening

Chicago area saxophonist David Polk and his group the David Polk Project offer up an evening of jazz tunes.

Info: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

"Sintra, Portugal," a photograph by artist Russell Phillips, is part of a new exhibit by Phillips on display at the at the Brickton Art Center in Park Ridge. Courtesy of the Brickton Art Center

See the greenhouses of the Chicago Botanic Garden, as the Garden is open for the first time on the Christmas Day holiday.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Bolingbrook Communities Glencoe Lifestyle Park Ridge Vernon Hills Wheaton

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.