Upcoming garden club meetings, workshops, and plant sales in the Chicago area, covering topics such as pruning, soil health, houseplant care, sustainable gardening, and attracting pollinators like hummingbirds.

Make plans to take advantage of free days at Shedd Aquarium, plus Erica Rhodes’ stand-up comedy at Zanies in Rosemont, the Women’s Jazz Festival at Hey Nonny, the Chicago RV Show in Schaumburg, ice skating and Cocoa Cabanas at Cantigny in Wheaton and more.

As we close out 2025, we remember those we lost this year in the suburbs.

Make plans for multiple productions of “The Nutcracker,” Christmas concerts throughout the suburbs, holiday light shows, markets and craft fairs and more.

Make plans for variations of “The Nutcracker,” Tom Arnold at American Place Casino, Under the Streetlamp’s “Hip to the Holidays,” the International Gem and Jewelry Show in Rosemont, dining with Santa, Handel’s “Messiah” and more.

Make plans for Dickens in Dundee, tree lightings, Warrenville Holly Days, Jingle Bell Jubilee, Mundelein Winter Tree Lighting Festival, West Chicago Frosty Fest and more.

Make plans for tree lightings and productions of “The Nutcracker” throughout the area, Naperville Holiday Parade of Lights, Christmas at Cantigny Light Show, the Vienna Boys Choir, “Elf The Musical” on stage and more.

A community tree lighting is a great way to kick off the holidays. Here’s where they are happening around the suburbs.

Make plans for Aurora Christkindlmarket, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Magic, Chicago Sports Spectacular in Rosemont, Turkey Trots, winter festivals, Santa sightings, Thanksgiving events and more.