Admire Holiday Lights
Various Locations ILVisit our guide of the 2022 Best Christmas Lights and Holiday Light Shows in Chicagoโs Suburbs to find all the best spots for viewing holiday lights this season.
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Polar Express Storytime Train – SOLD OUT
Itasca Train Station Irving Park Road and Maple Street, ItascaMUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE All aboard the Polar Express Storytime Train! Take this exciting train ride, based on the book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. A storyteller will...
$18 โ $22
Breakfast with Tomten
Swedish American Museum 5211 North Clark Street, ChicagoMUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE One of our most popular family event of the year! Join us on either Saturday or Sunday for a Swedish pancake breakfast with traditional crafts, a...
Polar Express T-Trak Model Railroad
Elmhurst Public Library 125 S. Prospect Ave., ElmhurstExperience model trains depicting the famous Polar Express with Chicago T-Trak, a group of railroad modelers that run N scale trains on modular layouts. Drop-in. No registration required.
Free
School-Age Social Hour
Nichols Library 200 W. Jefferson Ave, NapervilleSchool-aged children from 2nd-5th grade will get the chance to socialize with each other while enjoying activities focused on reading, science, math, art, and more. Whether your child attends public...
Santa Express – SOLD OUT
Wheaton Train Station 402 W Front St, WheatonCelebrate the holiday season with a train ride with Santa that includes a story, holiday music, and treats. Each paid child receives a small gift from Santa and a goody...
$20
Santa Express – SOLD OUT
Wheaton Train Station 402 W Front St, WheatonCelebrate the holiday season with a train ride with Santa that includes a story, holiday music, and treats. Each paid child receives a small gift from Santa and a goody...
$20
Brunch with Buddy the Elf – SOLD OUT
Vaughan Athletic Center 2121 W. Indian Trail, AuroraREGISTER IN ADVANCE This event will be held at the Vaughan Athletic Center! Families can enjoy a special holiday brunch with the Grinch. Feast on a Grinch-themed buffet along with...
$15
Holiday Pop-up
The Promenade Bolingbrook 631 E Boughton Road, BolingbrookCome make holiday crafts with us plus The Grinch, Frosty, and Rudolph will be here visiting. The first 100 children to attend will receive a free cup of hot cocoa...
Free
Stairs, Stories & Sโmores
Swallow Cliff Woods North 10267 Calumet Sag Rd, Palos HillsJoin us for stair climbing, story trail, sledding, snowshoeing, sโmore making and more. Sledding and snowshoeing available weather permitting. Drop-in.
Free
Chicago Toy and Game Fair
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 5555 N. River Road, RosemontJoin us for the 20th annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) this holiday season, the largest gathering of toy and game enthusiasts, inventors and brands in North America. People...
$5 โ $10
Explore Elmhurst Holly Trolley
Elmhurst City Centre 147 North York Street, ElmhurstAll Aboard the HOLLY TROLLEY! Explore Elmhurst Express Trolley is back for the holidays! The City of Elmhurst is excited to announce the Explore Elmhurst Trolley is back for the...
Free
Ornament Decorating
Old Town Museum (Bloomingdale) 108 S Bloomingdale Rd, BloomingdaleThe holidays are approaching, time to get your tree ready with some freshly made ornaments! Each child will leave with ornaments they made themselves to bring the holidays home!
Free
Arthur Christmas Free Family Holiday Movie
Glen Art Theatre 540 Crescent Boulevard, Glen EllynSponsored by The Law Offices of Lofgren & Wentworth, P.C., Movies begin at 10:30am, At Glen Art Theatre (540 Crescent Ave. Glen Ellyn)
Free
Design Your Own Gingerbread House
Richard H. Driehaus Museum 40 E Erie Street, ChicagoFrom the Driehaus to your own (gingerbread) house, let the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th century inspire your creativity. Intended for families and groups of up to...
$100
Saturday Morning Cartoons
Bellwood Public Library 600 Bohland Ave, BellwoodJoin us every Saturday at 11 am for cartoons and cereal! Each month, we'll be watching something different: September: School House Rock November: Children's cartoons (TBD) December: Short films for...
Sip, Snack and Shop – Holiday Hot Chocolate Bar
Danada Square West 120 Danada Square W, WheatonWeโre spreading Holiday cheer! Join us for our Holiday Sip, Snack & Shop Hot Chocolate Bar on December 10 (11am-2pm) and enjoy - A FREE gift for the first 100...
Free
Visit with Santa
Joseph C. Vallez Activity Center 1529 S Harlem Avenue, BerwynADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED Candy, crafts, photos with Santa. Pre-registration is required. Pet photos with Santa begin at 2:00pm. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup...
$5
Downtown Holiday Trolley
Downtown Aurora AuroraNew this year to coincide with Christkindlmarket at RiverEdge Park, Aurora Downtown will feature a Downtown Holiday Trolley on Saturdays from noon to 3:30 p.m. from November 19 to December...
Free
Learn to Curl
Downtown Glen Ellyn Main Street & Crescent Boulevard, Glen EllynREGISTER IN ADVANCE Come out to the Polar Plaza in downtown Glen Ellyn and learn about the sport of curling from the Windy City Curling Club. You will learn how...
$20
Drop and Shop – Fun Day at the Park
Terrace View Park (Oakbrook Terrace) 17W063 Hodges Road, Oakbrook TerraceREGISTER IN ADVANCE Drop your kids off at Terrace View Park and run your errands for the holidays - child free. Children will make nature themed-holiday presents of their own...
$30
Open House with Santa at the Museum
Bolingbrook Historical Museum 444 E. Briarcliff Road, BolingbrookJoin Ms. Laura for fun stories at the Bolingbrook Historical Museum Holiday Event. You can also tour the museum, have some refreshments, and take photos with Santa. For information...
Free
Santa at the Gazebo
Downtown Aurora AuroraFirst two Saturdays in December at Millennium Plaza from 1 to 3 p.m. Take a photo with Santa Claus! Photos will be available for digital download after the event. ...
Free
Holly Jolly Jamboree
Westmont Community Center 75 East Richmond St. , WestmontLet the excitement begin! Mrs. Claus loves baking and eating cookies! She will show you how to decorate your very own cookie. Meanwhile, Santa will be getting his red suit...
$10 โ $14
North Pole Adventure – SOLD OUT
West Chicago Train Station 508 W. Main Street, West ChicagoPRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Your journey to the North Pole is about to begin! Riders will enjoy a journey to the โNorth Poleโ aboard West Chicagoโs own holiday train to pick...
$22 โ $26
Crafting with Belle
Old Town Museum (Bloomingdale) 108 S Bloomingdale Rd, BloomingdaleCrafting has never been more fun! Join us at the museum to craft with a very special guest, Belle!
Merry and Bright A Victorian Christmas
Downers Grove Museum 831 Maple Avenue, Downers GroveGet in the holiday spirit here at the Downers Grove Museum! We invite you and your whole family to learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, tour the holiday decorated Victorian Blodgett...
Free
Willowbrook Happy Hour
Willowbrook Wildlife Center 525 S Park Blvd, Glen EllynREGISTER IN ADVANCE Join us for an after-hours tour of the centerโs ambassador animals. During this quiet, small-group experience weโll deliver their dinners, discuss their stories, and share how we...
$5
Live Nativity
Trinity Lutheran Church & School 1165 S Westmore-Meyers Rd, LombardLive animals, pony rides, hot cocoa, music, and snacks. Please consider bringing canned goods for the local food pantry. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup...
Free
Polar Express Train – SOLD OUT
Jon Duerr Forest Preserve at Rt 31, South ElginChris Van Allsburgโs bestselling book, โThe Polar Expressโ comes alive with the story, food, and song at the Fox River Trolley Museum. The Polar Express Event will include a trip...
$44
Bonfire and S’mores
Bolingbrook Town Center 375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook2 Bonfire locations with S'more kits to purchase, displays open to the public, and visit with Santa. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of...
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