It’s time to fill your life (and your calendar) with holiday cheer. There are so many ways to enjoy the holidays from horse-drawn carriage rides to cabarets.
Here are 10 things to check out in the northwest suburbs to make this holiday season merry and bright. As always, check the website or social media for up-to-date information.
1. Tree Lighting Ceremony: 3-5:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Historic Market Square, Western Ave. between Deerpath Road and Westminster Road, Lake Forest. Tickets: Free. 847-810-3940; lfparksandrec.com.
Ice sculpting by Art Below Zero, arts and crafts activities for kids, a visit with Santa, caroling by the Lake Forest High School Choristers, and a performance by the Lake Forest Dance Academy will precede the Tree Lighting Ceremony. You can purchase a meal from Rosati’s or Taste of Paris food trucks and enjoy free coffee, hot chocolate, cider, doughnuts and snacks.
2. Vintage Holidays: Nov. 26-Dec. 19 at Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road. Tickets: Free admission. $15 for 6-person half of horse-drawn carriage; $30 for full 12-person carriage. 847-634-0888; longgrove.org/festivals/holiday-season.
Shops will be colorfully decorated and offer special deals during Vintage Holidays and the streets will be filled with music provided by holiday carolers. Santa Claus will drop by during select weekends to take requests. There’s currently a wait list for horse-drawn carriage rides.
3. “A Christmas Carol”: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, plus some Tuesday and Wednesday performances (schedule varies), Dec. 2-24 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $30 adults; $15 students. 847-577-2121; metropolisarts.com/event/a-christmas-carol.
Ebenezer Scrooge changes his miserly ways after an eventful night in this music-filled version of the Charles Dickens classic. It takes visits by three spirits to put Scrooge in a holiday mood.
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Chris White Trio: 9 p.m. Dec. 4 at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $15-$35. 224-202-0750; heynonny.com/shows/a-charlie-brown-christmas-with-the-chris-white-trio-4.
Chris White performs at Andy’s, the Green Mill, the Jazz Showcase, and other top Chicago venues. This time of the year he brings his trio to a variety of venues to perform Vince Guaraldi’s jazz version of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
5. Holidays a cappella: 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park; and 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $33-$45. 773-281-7820; chicagoacappella.org/concerts/event/holidays_a_cappella7.
Chicago a cappella performs a diverse program of holiday selections including rare choral treasures from Norway, the Republic of Georgia, and Puerto Rico. Holidays a cappella will also feature Hanukkah selections and new takes on carols and such seasonal favorites as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
6. “The 12 Dames of Christmas”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets: $59.83; $48.66 for season ticket holders. 847-634-0200; marriotttheatre.com/show/the-12-dames-of-christmas.
You’ll think you are hearing the voices of Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Janis Joplin, and nine other iconic singers when Emmy-nominated Angela Ingersoll presents “The 12 Dames of Christmas.” She will sing such holiday favorites as “Santa Baby,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas tree” during this Artists Lounge Live performance.
7. “Carols Near and Far: A Global Holiday Celebration”: 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St. Tickets: $32.54. 224-512-4284; barringtonswhitehouse.com/event/carols-near-and-far-a-global-holiday-celebration-with-bella-voce-camerata.
The vocal chamber ensemble Bella Voce Camerata will take the audience on a musical journey to Germany, England, China, and other locations to hear holiday songs. Selections will include familiar carols, such as “What Child is This?,” as well as unfamiliar ones like “Somerkersfees” from South Africa.
8. “Merry Christmas, Darling: Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets: $59.83; $48.66 for season ticket holders. 847-634-0200; marriotttheatre.com/show/merry-christmas-darling.
“Close to You,” “Merry Christmas, Darling,” and “The Christmas Song” are just a few of the Karen Carpenter songs that award-winning musical theater performer Heidi Kettenring will sing as she tells the highs and lows of the life of the late singer in this holiday-themed show.
9. “Girls Like Us — Holiday Cabaret”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $12-$35. 224-202-0750; heynonny.com/shows/girls-like-us-2.
Cabaret artists Laura Freeman, Marianne Murphy Orland and Beckie Menzie share the joy of the season — and some of the stresses. The diverse song selection will include “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Oh Holy Night,” and “Merry Christmas, Darling.”
10. “Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $30. 847-577-2121; metropolisarts.com/event/christmas-bingo-its-a-ho-ho-holy-night-2.
A former nun and current bingo caller leads the fun in Vicki Quade’s hilarious hit. Audience members play bingo and answer Christmas tradition questions in this highly interactive show. Some audience members will get a chance to wear halos and angel wings.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.