Weekend Windup {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs December 2-4, 2022}

 

Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs December 2-4, 2022

Holiday fun is in full swing! There are plenty of opportunities for fun this weekend. Check out my special picks:

Ongoing

November 11-January 8, 2023 Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden, local favorite holiday light show returns, reserve tickets in advance online

Thanksgiving-New Years Naper Lights, Water Street, Naperville, free

Through January 15, 2023 Sentrock: The Boy Who Wanted to Fly, Elmhurst Art Museum, exhibition includes a mural, video projections, a sculpture, paintings, a life-sized bird house and more about the Bird City Saint character and life about Pilsen artist Joseph Perez, included in regular admission

November 19-January 15 Arcade Age Exhibit, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, learn the history of arcade games and even play some, free

November 18-December 24 Christkindlmarket, RiverEdge, Aurora, Thursdays 11AM-7PM, Fridays, 11AM-9PM, Saturdays and Sundays 11AM-6PM

November 17 - January 7 Illumination at The Morton Arboretum, enjoy a 1-mile walk exploring the trees highlighted with dazzling light and sound displays, nights sell out fast so reserve tickets in advance

Winter Lights at Fabyan Japanese Garden: Enjoy the historic Geneva garden in a new light Fridays and Saturdays,November 25-December 16 and Fridays January 7-28. $8 pp, must register, kids 5 and under are free.

December 2-18 Holiday House Tours, Farnsworth House, Aurora, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 12PM and 2PM, enjoy a 1990's themed holiday in the historic home, $25pp, please reserve tickets

December 1 - December 30 Illuminated, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, see the gardens under a new light for the holidays, admission fees apply

Festival of Lights Cosley Zoo Wheaton; November 25 -December 30 (closed Christmas Day), fresh Christmas trees and garland for sale, light displays will decorate the zoo, see website for more info, event is free and donations are very much appreciated.

Holiday Lights Lilacia Park, Lombard, December 3-January 2, enjoy a magical array of holiday light displays throughout the park. Santa visits 6PM-8PM Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Elf hunts and more events, free.

Holiday Magic, Brookfield Zoo will delight visitors in its 41st year of Holiday Magic with more than two million lights, a gnome hunt and more, November 25-27, December 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 26-31, see website for more info on ticketing, times and prices, must reserve tickets. This is the longest running show in the area!

Naper Lights -- Thanksgiving - New Years, enjoy wandering through light displays on Water St.

Friday, December 2

December 2 Lincolnshire Lights, Lincolnshire, Village Green Center, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Santa arrival, treelighting, festive music, crafts and more, free

December 2 Mundelein Tree Lighting, Village Plaza, 4:30PM, Santa arrives, tree lighting, fireworks, Santa letters, visits from Belle and Tiana, drop off Santa letters and more, free

Saturday, December 3

December 3 Barrington Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, events throughout village

December 3-4 Holiday Art Market, Brushwood, Ryerson, Riverwoods, 10AM-5PM Sat, 12PM-5PM Sun

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 Winterfest at Randall Oaks Zoo, Elgin, 12PM-8PM, enjoy holiday lights around barn and animals, bonfire, community trees, Santa, more, $4.25 resident, $5 non

December 3 Wilmette Holiday Happenings, 10AM-6PM, giant snow globe, carolers, Elf showing, more, free, see website for times

December 3-4 Make Glass Icicles/Ornaments, Patterson Glass, Mundelein, $40 flat or twisted, $75 blown, please reserve space

December 3 Frosty Fest Wheaton, 11AM-2PM, character visits, storytimes, entertainment

December 3 Winter Fair in the Square, Des Plaines, 11AM-6PM, indoor artisan market, ice sculpting, trolley tours to see decor and learn history, carolers, free

December 3 Cookie and Cocoa Crawl, Ravinia District, Highland Park, 11AM-1PM, live performance of two songs from Lion King starting at 11AM, collect cookies from some of Highland Park's best bakeries, free

December 3  The Heart of the Holidays, Dowtown Highland Park, 2PM-4PM, festive entertainment and holiday treats as you explore local businesses, this week features a Frozen theme

December 3 Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival, Cantigny, Wheaton, 1PM-7PM. Holiday History Hike at 5PM. Classical holiday music, ornament craft and more. $5 for parking. Santa will be there for the kiddos!

December 3 Play A Christmas Carol, Mundelein, Mundelein Village Hall, 4:00pm and 7:30PM, free

December 3 Once Upon a Christmas Lisle, 4PM-8PM, Santa parade, tree lighting, small business shopping, decorated windows, games, free

December 3 Winter Bonfire, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook, 4PM-8PM, outdoor games, stargazing, more, free, shuttle from Pottawotami Woods

December 3 Luminaria Walk, Crystal Lake, 4:30PM-7:30PM, luminaria walk, campfires, candy cane forest, Santa and more, donations welcome

December 3 Riverside Parade of Lights, West Dundee, 6:30PM

Sunday, December 4

December 4 Bird Feeding Drop In, River Trails Nature Center, 11AM-2PM, learn the basics of bird feeding, make a pine cone bird feeding craft, free

December 4 Among the Leaves So Green, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, 1:30PM-3:30PM, learn about the holiday traditions of an 1890s farm house, help decorate, free