15 Christmas, holiday things to do in the Chicago area with the kids

‘ILLUMINATION: TREE LIGHTS’

Six years ago, Morton Arboretum redefined “winter wonderland,” forgoing creches and Santas for a scintillating, syncretic light show. Even if you’ve seen it before, “Illumination” remains marvelous, literally casting the trees in a new light, thanks to interactive LED effects. The milelong hike follows a different route this year, mixing in new effects (including lights on two of the giant “Troll Hunt” trolls), along with some old favorites (hugging a tree to change its hue). Through Jan. 5, with Santa visits on three Tuesdays (Dec. 3, 10 and 17), at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $13-$23, $7-$15 for kids 2-17. https://tinyurl.com/ztl4jjn

‘THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER: A CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME’

After last year’s wildly acclaimed debut, the transformational “Steadfast Tin Soldier” returns to Lookingglass for the holidays, perhaps signaling a new family tradition. The fable isn’t one of Hans Christian Andersen’s better-known works, which perhaps appealed to Tony-winning director, MacArthur genius and theater poet Mary Zimmerman. Kids are welcome at any of the hourlong performances, but to enhance the experience, Lookingglass offers three Family Days (Dec. 5 and 12; Jan. 18), which include a prematinee craft and a postshow meeting with cast members. The tale of a brave little toy runs through Jan. 26 at Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave. $45-$85; Family Days tickets are $40 with code FAM40. https://tinyurl.com/r6wn7rs

‘CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD’ AND ‘HOLIDAYS OF LIGHT’

The perennial Museum of Science and Industry favorite, “Christmas Around the World” provides a view into more than 50 different cultures around the world, using the Tannenbaum as the lens. The centerpiece is the 45-foot-tall Grand Tree, twinkling with 30,000 lights, in the museum’s rotunda; it’s flanked by trees decorated by local volunteers from Chicagoland’s wide variety of ethnic communities. Its companion exhibit, “Holidays of Light,” examines other observances during days of increasing darkness, a list that includes Hanukkah, Diwali, Ramadan, Kwanzaa and St. Lucia Day. The museum typically closes at 4 p.m., but it observes extended hours for much of the holiday season, staying open till 5:30 or even 7 p.m. many days. The twin exhibits run through Jan. 5 at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive. $22, $13 for kids 3-11. ($2 discount per ticket with advance online purchase; additional discounts available for Chicago residents.) https://tinyurl.com/ycqzm7t9

CHICAGO TROLLEY’S HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR

Anything that ups the festivity quotient while dialing down on stress is a must-do for December fun. That’s the hook of catching the city’s holiday highlights by trolley: Adults don’t have to worry about driving and parking, and everyone gets a small bag of Garrett’s popcorn to munch on while you cruise around. And you’re not just sitting down for the duration of this 2½-hour tour, because the trolley makes two half-hour stops: at the Christkindlmarket in Wrigleyville, where you can browse and shop, and in Lincoln Park to check out the ZooLights, complete with a pair of 3D glasses. There are three tours most evenings, Nov. 29 through New Year’s Eve, starting and ending at 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly known as the John Hancock Center). Look for the Chicago Trolley booth on the southeast corner of Delaware Place and Michigan Avenue. $35, $20 for kids 3-15. Advance purchase recommended. chicagotrolley.com/holiday-lights-tour/

PICK YOUR ‘NUTCRACKER’

Chicago’s embarrassment of holiday riches has two poster children: multiple productions of “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol,” with enough variations to suit every taste. Those who love the former probably start with the grandest of them all: The Joffrey Ballet’s spectacle, running Nov. 30 through Dec. 29, pairs Tchaikovsky’s world-famous score with Chicago’s legendary World’s Fair (just before the turn of the century). Meanwhile, the Old Town School delivers the percussive “Nut Tapper Christmas Show,” Dec. 1; A&A Ballet presents “The Art Deco Nutcracker,” Dec. 6-8; the Hyde Park School of Dance brings a student-dominated show, blending ballet, modern dance and hip-hop, Dec. 13-15. Perhaps the most original take comes from The House Theatre, delivering its original musical version of the famous tale, packed with whimsy and a scary Rat King, through Dec. 29.

PICK YOUR ‘CAROL’

Alongside “The Nutcracker,” Charles Dickens’ classic is the Christmas tradition so ubiquitous, audiences can take their pick. Chase away the humbugs with the granddaddy of them all, Goodman Theatre’s lavish and lovely “Christmas Carol,” once again starring Larry Yando as Scrooge, through Dec. 29. In the ’burbs, choose between Metropolis in Arlington Heights, Dec. 1-24, or the hourlong Drury Lane production, specifically geared to families with younger kids, in Oakbrook Terrace, Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. For fresher takes on this 175-year-old fable, Chicago Shakes remounts the Q Brothers Collective’s hilarious hip-hop “Carol.” Performed by just four players plus a DJ, the 80-minute show, geared to junior high students and up, runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. Or head to Berwyn for 16th Street Theater’s world premiere of “A Xmas Cuento Remix,” a kid-friendly, Latinx-oriented version of the tale, with Tia Dolores taking the place of Uncle Scrooge, running Nov. 29 through Dec. 29.

SANTA HOUSE

A stroll along the festive Naperville Riverwalk is always a treat in December, even before your family arrives at Santa’s suburban outpost. Once inside the holly-jolly house, kids sit on the famous red lap to place their Christmas-morning requests; parents are free to snap their own photos or buy professional pics. It’s open to the public most days from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22; four reservation-only evenings, Dec. 2-4 and 12, are set aside for kids with special needs, while Dec. 9 is pet night, and Dec. 10 is for military and first-responder families. Find Santa House in the pavilion along the Riverwalk, at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, Naperville. Free; professional photos cost $8 each, two for $15. napervilleparks.org/santahouse

‘BEATRIX POTTER HOLIDAY TEA PARTY’

Little ones have a holiday tradition just for them! This special program from Chicago Children’s Theatre, now in its fifth year, delights its young audience (ages 2-6) with an interactive puppet show featuring Peter Rabbit and company. After the 50-or-so-minute performance, kids can wander the stage to meet the cast and explore the set. Meanwhile, the Station’s lobby transforms into a Victorian hall, where costumed hosts welcome you to enjoy tea, cocoa, cookies and craft time. Young visitors are encouraged (but not required) to dress up for tea time. 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 7-29, plus additional performances Dec. 23 and 24, at The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave. $45-$55. chicagochildrenstheatre.org/beatrix-potter

CTA HOLIDAY TRAIN

True, kids can meet Mr. Claus all month long, mostly in malls. But where else can you see him zooming through the city on his sleigh? Only on the CTA! That’s the delightful effect of the Holiday Train, an annual tradition that spreads good cheer and candy canes to passengers, plus food baskets to community organizations. Wave to the open-air Santa, then take a ride around Chicago — or into Oak Park, Skokie or Evanston — on the various L routes. On its busiest days, the Holiday Train is followed by the Elves’ Workshop Train, another festive ride to accommodate overflow travelers. Visit the CTA’s site for a detailed schedule. $2.50, $1.25 for kids 7-11, free for kids under 7 (see station attendant for help with children’s fares). transitchicago.com/holidayfleet

‘LIGHTSCAPE’

This year, Morton Arboretum’s hugely successful “Illumination” loses its only-child status, thanks to the arrival of “Lightscape” to the Botanic Garden. An import from the U.K. making its American debut this year, the “Lightscape” experience sounds familiar: Visitors arrive in the evening to wander a milelong outdoor path, greeted by tunnels and curtains of light, radiant singing trees and even small bonfires for toasting marshmallows. (Note: If you were a fan of the garden’s holiday-train exhibit, here’s disappointing news: “Wonderland Express” has been retired.) Through Jan. 5 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. $17-$27, $8-$15 for kids 3-12; $10-20 for parking. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape

‘THE POLAR EXPRESS’ TRAIN RIDE

A real Amtrak train transforms into the Polar Express for this interactive two-hour experience, based on the Caldecott-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg. As the train moves along the Chicago River, through tunnels and across rail yards, dancing chefs serve hot cocoa and cookies to the passengers. A book reading and visit from Santa follow; before disembarking, kids get a present: a silver sleigh bell. The Polar Express runs through Dec. 29, departing daily (except on Thanksgiving and Christmas) from Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. $48-$70, $38-$62 for kids 2-11. chicagothepolarexpressride.com

‘HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS’

An award-winning Hanukkah fable from 1989, “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” leapt from the Caldecott-honored page to the Strawdog Theatre stage last year. It makes an encore run this December, when charming Hershel assures the villagers of Ostropool that he can defeat the goblins assailing their town. But can a trickster be a hero? Find out in this show geared for families with kids age 6 and up. It runs on weekends, Dec. 7-29, at Strawdog Theatre Company, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. $20-$25, $15-$20 for kids; 10% discount for families of four. https://tinyurl.com/r4f4tng

CAROLING AT CLOUD GATE

Sing out, everyone! The city’s most iconic sculpture (sorry, Picasso) — the enormous reflective Cloud Gate, aka The Bean — is the site for this festive mix of outdoor concert and singalong, happening four Friday evenings in a row. One of the featured groups is the Chicago Children’s Choir (performing Dec. 13). Don a festive sweater, and head out 6-7 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Free. https://tinyurl.com/sz65kub

CHRISTKINDLMARKET

This open-air market is the most Old World way to do your holiday shopping (and eating and drinking!). The tradition hails from 16th-century Nuremberg, which explains why German and Austrian vendors participate in these 21st-century Chicago versions. A visit to either the original Loop outpost or the newest version, in Wrigleyville, can include shopping, entertainment, visits from the golden-haired Christkind and, of course, plenty of food and beverages, including hot cocoa for kids and Gluhwein for grown-ups. Prost! Open through Dec. 24 in Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.; and through Dec. 31 at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St. Free admission. christkindlmarket.com

WINTER WONDERFEST

Even if the weather outside gets frightful, tons of winter fun awaits at Navy Pier’s enormous indoor carnival. Overflowing with rides, slides, a climbing wall and indoor skating rink, Winter Wonderfest literally has something for all ages. As with many amusement parks, ability to ride attractions is determined by height; little ones can chug along on the Arctic Express train and head inside the Cookie Cottage to decorate sweet biscuits. New this year for older kids and adults is the Wind Chill, which soars 50 feet above the the playground. Dec. 6 through Jan. 12 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. $20-$28, $10-$14 for visitors 36-42 inches tall, free for kids under 42 inches. Bonus: All Wonderfest ticket purchases include a ticket to ride Centennial Wheel, valid until March 21. navypier.org/winter-wonderfest