Here are some events happening from Dec. 1 to 7 in the Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana
Welcome Santa Lucia
Geneva Christmas Walk is at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in downtown Geneva. Tickets: free. 630-232-6060; genevachamber.com/events/christmas-walk.
Christmas begins with the first candy cane of the season being presented to the mayor, the arrival of Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, who lights the Great Tree.
Christmas by candlelight
The St. Charles Singers’ “Candlelight Carols” is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. Michael Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. Tickets are $12-$45. At 307 Cedar Ave. 630-513-5272; stcharlessingers.com.
The Millar Brass Ensemble appear as guest artists. A highlight will be the world premiere of Andrew Wainwright’s choir and brass arrangement of the early Canadian Christmas hymn “Huron Carol,” written for the St. Charles Singers.
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Christmas comedy
“Away In the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas” is at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. Tickets are $17-$45. At 102 N. Chicago St. 815-726-6600; rialtosquare.com.
It’s 1959 and the Church Basement Ladies are planning the Sunday school Christmas program. They’re making treat bags, sewing costumes and gossiping.
Holiday train
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train stops at 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at Viking Park in Gurnee. Admission is free. At 4374 Old Grand Ave. 847-599-7050; cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in Gurnee at 5:15 p.m. with performers Tenille Townes and Breland. It departs at 5:40 p.m. Santa will also make an appearance.
Skinny Santa story
Theatre for Young Audiences presents “The Year Santa Went on a Diet” at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. weekdays Dec. 4-15 and Dec. 16 at Theatre at the Center at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. Tickets are $10. At 1040 Ridge Road. 219-836-3255; theatreatthecenter.com.
Santa eschews his typical nighttime snack of cookies and milk to drop some pounds so his overstuffed sleigh can get off the ground on Christmas Eve. Christmas icons like Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and reindeer Blitzen (plus workshop helpers Emma Elf and Edward Elf) team up to help Santa stick to his diet.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.