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After a couple of slow years, there are more seasonal events than ever to make your December holidays sparkle with fun. Here are many of the things going on in suburban Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

First, get a Christmas tree

Pine-Apple Farm in Cary opens Nov. 25 for cut-your-own Christmas trees.
Pine-Apple Farm in Cary opens Nov. 25 for cut-your-own Christmas trees.

There are Christmas tree farms in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago suburbs with the right tree for your home. Check our lists for hours and days open before you venture out. >>>Read more here.

Now let’s have some fun

Lake County, Illinois, events

Live actors portray scenes Dec. 15-18 in the Christmas Luminary Hike at Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich.
Live actors portray scenes Dec. 15-18 in the Christmas Luminary Hike at Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich.

Everything from drive-through lights to a do-it-yourself Messiah is happening this year. <<<Read more here.

Fox Valley, Naperville events

The Morton Arboretum's 10th annual Illumination display features the Arboretum's trees and grounds decorated for the holidays.
The Morton Arboretum’s 10th annual Illumination display features the Arboretum’s trees and grounds decorated for the holidays.

In Naperville and the Fox Valley, laugh it up at two productions of Second City’s holiday improv or experience Morton Arboretum’s legendary Illumination. >>>Read more here.

Southland events

Christmas in the Commons in New Lenox will feature horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating and a holiday market.
Christmas in the Commons in New Lenox will feature horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating and a holiday market.

New Lenox’s Christmas in the Commons and Curtain Call Theatre’s “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” in Mokena are holiday highlights in the Southland. >>>Read more here.

Northwest Indiana events

The free drive-through lights display at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso includes lighted skaters, trees and carolers and runs Nov. 18-Jan. 1, 2023.
The free drive-through lights display at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso includes lighted skaters, trees and carolers and runs Nov. 18-Jan. 1, 2023.

Sunset Hill Farm County Park’s holiday lights display in Valparaiso and Towle Theater’s “A Fabulous ’50s Christmas” are just seasonal events happening in the Region. >>>Read more here.

Just ‘Nutcrackers’ and ‘Christmas Carols’

Let’s face it: you know what you want. You want to dance with Sugar Plum fairies, or you want to hang out with Ebenezer Scrooge and a bunch of ghosts. Well, here’s where to do just that.

Chicago suburbs + Scrooge

Jon Witt and Rob Nowak perform in Albright Community Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 2-11 at the theater in Batavia.

Mean old Mr. Scrooge has to learn his lesson the hard way in this timeless Christmas classic. >>>Read more here.

‘Nutcracker’ sweet

Salt Creek Ballet brings “The Nutcracker” Dec. 17 and 18 to the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

You love the classic music, and now some “Nutcrackers” have also adapted to modern cultural concerns. >>>Read more here.

Northwest Indiana Scrooges, Nutcrackers

From left, Philip Potempa, Jeannie Rapstad, and Tony Panek presents performances of “Dickens Christmas Carol Dinner Show” produced by Theatre at the Center onstage at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.

People in the Region don’t have to travel far to see these holiday favorites. >>>Read more here.