40 things to do in the Chicago area with the kids in December

Dec. 1

CHARACTERS ON ICE It’s time for so many things! That includes ice skating, and Rosemont’s free-admission rink brings a bonus for families: It opens two hours early, at 9 a.m. Sundays in December, for kids 12 and under (and their grown-ups). The big draw? Kids get to meet and skate with a pair of popular characters; the roster changes weekly and includes Anna and Kristoff, Batman and Catwoman, and Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Dec. 1-29 at Chicago Wolves Ice Rink (inside Parkway Bank Park), 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free; bring your own skates, or rent a pair for $8. https://tinyurl.com/yafbh5cl

‘’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ...’ Cirque du Soleil puts its acrobatic spin on Christmas in this new family-friendly show, partly inspired by the classic poem. Catch one of three performances Sunday, Dec. 1, with additional times Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Dec. 8 at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. $30-$138.50. chicagotheatre.com/cirque

Dec. 2

‘HOLIDAY THORNE ROOMS’ Among the Art Institute’s most beloved permanent collections, the Thorne Rooms pack a ton of artistry into a small display space. The 68 intricate miniature dioramas become even more fun at year’s end, when some get adorned for the holidays. Kids can hunt for all the new additions, including a yule log, mistletoe, garlands and more. Only one room features a Christmas tree; the California Hallway gets a menorah, while the Chinese interior gets shadow puppets for Chinese New Year. The seasonal decor runs through Jan. 7 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. $20-25; $14-$19 for students; free for Chicago teens 17 and under (with ID) and for all kids 13 and under. https://tinyurl.com/wdpbsoh

Dec. 4

‘MARY POPPINS’ You won’t need a spoonful of sugar to enjoy this practically perfect musical! The live version of “Mary Poppins,” adapted from P.L. Travers’ original stories and the Disney film, features all songs you love and remember, plus some new ones. The show also expands the familiar story to include a castor-oil-dispensing nanny nemesis for our bumbershoot-sailing Miss Poppins. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Jan. 19, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $60-$75. https://tinyurl.com/w9zwg29

Dec. 5

BLACKBERRY FARM’S HOLIDAY EXPRESS Someone dropped a slice of the North Pole right into Aurora, where families will find the Holiday Express train and so much more at Blackberry Farm. The tiny locomotive chug-chugs around Lake Gregory, and if your little ones still want another ride, you can hop onto a hay wagon. Frolic in the Candy Cane Village playground, or visit the ponies; then head indoors for story time, a craft station and to meet Santa. The Farm is open Thursday through Sundays, Dec. 5-22. At Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. $7. blackberryfarm.info/holiday-express

‘THE CULINARY CURIOSITY EXHIBITION’ Food, glorious food! Different kinds of sustenance, along with the techniques and equipment that human chefs and brewers have developed over time: That’s the focus of “The Culinary Curiosity.” The Kendall College Trust cooked up this exhibit, which is currently portioned out to four suburban libraries, in Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Elgin and Aurora. Kids (and many adults) will likely be most interested in the Elgin component, “Sweets and Dairy”; if you attend at 7:30 Thursday evening, Dec. 5 (and register in advance), you can check out bonus programming: how to make lefse, a Norwegian treat. The exhibit runs through Jan. 5 at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Free. culinarycuriositytourslibraries.com/gail-borden

Dec. 7

LILLSTREET FAMILY WORKSHOPS Lillstreet Art Center’s family workshops have the holidays in mind this month, providing opportunities for adult-child pairs (or two kids with one grownup) to make giftable treasures. Saturday morning, Dec. 7, families design a pattern on a printing block, then decorate a tote bag; Dec. 14, make your own clay mugs. Looking for something a little more advanced? A three-hour class Dec. 14, devoted to block-printing fabric, lets kids 8 and up work with an adult to design custom prints, then learn how to wrap and tie presents inside. At Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave. $70 per adult-child pair; $35 for each additional kid.

‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’ SING-A-LONG Here’s a tip about how to excel at singing along to “The Sound of Music”: Practice its most exuberant tune, “The Lonely Goatherd,” ahead of time — those lyrics flash by far too quickly for novices to keep up. Other highlights of this popular Music Box tradition include the costume contest, with an onstage parade of entrants and an audience vote. One caution: The 1965 Oscar-winner is three hours long even without the pageantry, so this outing isn’t suitable for restless little ones. 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave. $13, $9 for kids 12 and under. https://tinyurl.com/ybkt4vlj

‘DUKE-IT-OUT NUTCRACKER’ Jazz up your holidays — literally! — with a family-ready, 60-minute concert version of the iconic ”Nutcracker” suite. In this production from the Music Institute of Chicago and Dance Chicago, the classical Tchaikovsky score blends with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s jazz arrangement. At 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $10. musicinst.org/nutcracker

LOGAN CENTER’S KIDPRENEUR MARKET The Logan Center offers an especially timely and fresh edition of its monthly Family Saturday with this “Kidpreneur Market.” Come meet young entrepreneurs, artists and vendors, and maybe get some of your gift-shopping handled. Young visitors can also check out a kidpreneur panel session or brainstorm their own products at a creativity station. 2-4 p.m. at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Free. https://tinyurl.com/k5deh4m

Dec. 8

DANCE-ALONG NUTCRACKER Calling all sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers! Regular folks of all ages get to join ballet-trained pros to make “Nutcracker” magic. Dancers gather under the Tiffany dome of the Cultural Center for one of two cycles today: Basic lessons, led by members of Ballet Chicago, are at 9 a.m. and noon; performances, with live music from the Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band, are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. No registration is required for this popular event, so consider arriving early. At the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Free. https://tinyurl.com/v35yr2h

CHRISTMAS PAST Peer into Christmas Past — no ghostly visit required! — by visiting Sand Ridge Nature Center’s pioneer settlement, where you’ll find people in 19th-century clothes along with homemade toys and roasting chestnuts. Once you’ve got the spirit, make crafts to take home using mostly natural materials. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland. Free. fpdcc.com/event/christmas-past

‘TAIKO LEGACY’ Looking for a tradition that isn’t rooted in elves, holly or mangers? Tsukasa Taiko, a multigenerational troupe dedicated to the art of Japanese drumming, offers its own thundering December tradition. Think of this 16th annual concert at MCA Chicago as a 90-minute wake-up call to the sun! 2 p.m. at MCA Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave. $20, $15 for kids 11 and under. https://tinyurl.com/vrbnx5l

Dec. 9

AUDITORIUM THEATRE’S 130th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION The Auditorium celebrates a whopping 13 decades in the South Loop with this giant open-house anniversary party. Grown-ups might be interested in the free tours of the historic venue, but all ages will love the rest of the activities: a scavenger hunt, a photo booth, coloring stations, free popcorn. The drop-in event runs 4-7 p.m.; show up just before 6 p.m. for free birthday cake (and a Champagne toast for adults). At the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Free, but advance registration encouraged. https://tinyurl.com/qs8uss2

‘THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA’ Formerly known by the whimsical moniker Barrel of Monkeys, this team of artist-educators has a proud new name, PlayMakers Laboratory, designed to better reflect its mission with CPS students, ages 7-13. But “That’s Weird, Grandma,” their signature show, remains its zany self! This collection of skits, all written by students, shares a holiday theme. Catch it Dec. 9, 13-14, 20-21 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. $10-$20, $5-$10 for kids 12 and under. playmakerslab.org/shows

Dec. 11

‘POTTED POTTER’ This rollicking British import makes its biennial appearance in Chicago, delighting “Harry Potter” fans young and old. A freewheeling comedic homage to J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, the show puts two actors through their paces: They portray all the characters in the entire seven-book saga in 70 manic minutes — plus time for an interactive game of Quidditch! Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, and continue through Jan. 5 at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St. $40-$80. https://tinyurl.com/ubq7723

Dec. 12

‘A XMAS CUENTO REMIX’ Berwyn’s 16th Street Theater delivers this world premiere (with simultaneous productions in Cleveland and Portland) to spice up the holidays. In “A Xmas Cuento Remix,” Dickens’ famous tale gets updated with a Latinx spin. Tia Dolores is such a Scrooge, she won’t even help her niece, who’s about to get evicted. But when Dolores gets a visit from three sassy spirits — well, you probably know the rest. Through Dec. 29 at 16th Street Theater in the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. $22-$32. https://tinyurl.com/wfr6rnk

Dec. 13

‘BURNING BLUEBEARD’ Now in its eighth annual iteration, this heart-wrenching vaudevillian musical has become an unlikely holiday tradition — one that’s uniquely Chicago. The theatrical fable grew out of a real-life tragedy, Chicago’s 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire. This year, Porchlight hosts The Ruffians show, which moves into a bigger venue in Streeterville. Recommended for ages 12 and up, “Burning Bluebeard” runs for 12 performances across eight days, Dec. 13-27. At Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. $45. porchlightmusictheatre.org/events/burning-bluebeard

Dec. 14

LEGO TRAIN SHOW There’s always plenty to see at Wheaton’s expansive Cantigny Park, but this weekend brings a special delight for kids: It’s the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club’s largest annual show. When you’re done gaping at the display, visitors on Saturday can enjoy Cantigny’s monthly drop-in family program. Kids learn about local engineering wonders, then build their own Lego structure. “Lego Train Show” opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free; $5 for parking. cantigny.org/event/lego-train-show

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ AND BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Scrooge plus Santa? What a duo! It’s the holiday menu for Saturday performances of Drury Lane’s musical “Carol,” an hourlong, intermission-free version of the Dickens classic designed for little ones who might get the wiggles during longer shows. Catch it at either 10 a.m. or noon, before or after 11 a.m. breakfast, which includes a make-your-own-doughnut station. The holiday combo occurs Saturdays through Dec. 21 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $50, $40 for kids 4-12; prices include performance. https://tinyurl.com/wexokyr

POLAR ADVENTURE DAY This annual Northerly Island tradition returns to celebrate the joys of winter! Stroll the prairie with a cup of hot cocoa — while wearing snowshoes, if the weather permits. Better still, meet a variety of animals well adapted for cold: birds of prey, huskies and wolves. Need to warm up? Head indoors to the nature-inspired winter craft station. Nearby parking ($3, cash only) is limited, so plan ahead. Noon to 4 p.m. (and repeating Jan. 25 and Feb. 29) at Northerly Island, 1521 S. Linn White Drive. Free. https://tinyurl.com/svedgks

MCA FAMILY DAY: KEEP IT COZY For the December edition of its monthly Family Day, MCA aims to soothe the holiday hustle and bustle with some chill vibes. Chicago artists lead open-studio projects and meditation sessions. Drop in and check out the scene, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Free for families with kids 12 and under. https://tinyurl.com/tokn5hw

Dec. 15

‘FORTS: BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENTURE’ The time-honored childhood DIY ritual of creating with cardboard is the centerpiece of “Forts! Build Your Own Adventure.” Designed for families to experience together, this hit show from Filament Theatre uses boxes, blankets, clotheslines and more to make new worlds. The interactive experience lasts about an hour. To accommodate Chicago’s immigrant communities, instructions are available in Spanish and Polish. The show runs most weekends through Feb. 2 at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. $8-$9.75; no more than three children per adult. filamenttheatre.org/forts

Dec. 16

ZOOLIGHTS FAMILY NIGHTS Lincoln Park Zoo’s whimsical lights display is worth visiting any time this month, but parents might want to hit one of the three special Mondays. These Family Nights include free rides on the Endangered Species Carousel and Lionel Train Adventure. Children also eat free (with paid adult) at Park Place Cafe. Zoolights runs 4:30-9 p.m. daily through through Jan. 5; Family Nights are Dec. 16, 23 and 30. At Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. Free. https://tinyurl.com/y7rqk9ua

Dec. 17

‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ Be their guest! This local production of Disney’s “tale as old as time” comes from Paramount Theatre, known for lavish, top-notch productions. Introduce a new generation to Belle, the first Disney princess who matched independence with wisdom. In addition to the show’s lesson about looking beneath outward appearances, its opening number celebrates our heroine’s love of reading. It runs Wednesdays through Sundays through Jan. 19, with an additional Tuesday show Dec. 17, at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $38-$74. paramountaurora.com/events/beauty-and-the-beast

Dec. 18

‘CORDUROY’ A stuffed bear, a young girl and a department-store watchman find their fates entwined in “Corduroy.” After its premiere this past spring, Emerald City Theatre’s hit show returns to thrill young audiences (ages 3 and up) with imagination and acrobatic performances. Matinees are at 10 or 10:30 a.m. most days through Jan. 5 at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St. $25 and up. broadwayinchicago.com/show/corduroy

Dec. 19

CTA HOLIDAY BUS The CTA’s Holiday Train (one of our 15 top recommendations for the holidays) is a beloved perk of December. Not to be outdone by its rapid-transit sibling, the bus fleet joined the Santa action a few years ago. This 60-foot-long accordion bus is disguised as Ralphie the Reindeer, complete with antlers on top and a glowing nose in front. Inside, Mr. Claus holds court. Due to traffic, Holiday Bus arrival times are trickier to predict than those for the train; the CTA recommends using its special tracker. It typically runs early afternoons into early evenings; find the schedule online. $2.25, $1.10 for kids 7-11, free for kids under 7. transitchicago.com/holidayfleet

Dec. 20

JUICEBOX: FUTURE HITS Future Hits is a Chicago band of musician-educators whose songs boost language skills, in both English and Spanish. Give it a listen at futurehits.org, then catch them at this biweekly series of live performances for the toddler set. As with all Juicebox events, the all-ages show happens twice: 11 a.m. Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center (Preston Bradley Hall), 78 E. Washington St.; and 11 a.m. Saturday at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free. https://tinyurl.com/y5nxmt9d

WINTER SOLSTICE BONFIRES Celebrate winter solstice with humankind’s most ancient lighting technology: a bonfire. The Forest Preserves of Cook County offer a chance to reflect on the longest night of the year — and, since the fire’s going, you might as well celebrate with s’mores! The solstice observations happen all weekend long, beginning at 6:30 p.m. solstice eve (Dec. 20) at the Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest, where you can also listen to fireside stories from a variety of cultures. Barrington Hills’ Crabtree Nature Center lights a fire during the day, at 1 p.m. Dec. 21, to share both science and myth about the solstice; at 6:30 p.m., Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs also offers short hikes and live music. Free-$5; advance registration required.

Dec. 21

HOLIDAY MAGIC With a whopping 1 million LEDs on display, Brookfield Zoo proudly proclaims its Holiday Magic festival to be Chicagoland’s biggest display. In between marveling at the lights and the 40-foot-tall talking tree, families can sing carols to the animals, watch ice carvers create frozen art, decorate cupcakes, go ice skating and check out the model train. Weekends in December, plus daily Dec. 26-31. Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield. $22, $16 for kids 3-11; $14 parking. https://tinyurl.com/r753a2w

‘GRACE AND THE HANUKKAH MIRACLE’ The holiday season continues its bounty with a new all-ages holiday show, produced by a new theater company. Designed for people of all ages and belief systems, Chicago Immersive’s interactive, interfaith show, “Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle,” peeks into one family’s traditions. With everything from time-travel to puzzle-solving, the show aims for broad appeal. “Grace” runs just under an hour, at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Jan. 5 at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Blvd., Evanston. $25. chicagoimmersive.com

Dec. 22

ROCK AND ROLL PLAYHOUSE: MOTOWN FOR KIDS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION The Brooklyn-born Rock and Roll Playhouse doo-wops its way through its final Chicago concert for the year with this hourlong tribute to Motown. Covers of songs made famous by the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and more are curated for families with kids 7 and under. Doors open at 11 a.m. at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. $15. https://tinyurl.com/y4f994qm

Dec. 23

GRAND CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTING Come for the lights, stay for the fun at this annual holiday ceremony in downtown Evanston. In conjunction with Tannenbaum Chabad House, the city invites everyone to witness the ceremonial lighting of the 10-foot menorah. The event includes live music, free jelly doughnuts for all, and small gifts for the kids. 5:30 p.m. at Fountain Square, Davis Street at Sherman and Orrington avenues, Evanston. Free. https://tinyurl.com/sop77gb

MUSIC BOX CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG DOUBLE FEATURE What started out modestly enough as a one-time event on Christmas Eve 1983 has blossomed into a full-fledged Chicago tradition at the vintage Music Box cinema house. Imagine how many angels have received their wings! Between screenings of “White Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the audience sings carols, led by Santa and accompanied by house organist Dennis Scott. Advance purchase recommended. Screenings begin Dec. 12; they wrap up just before Christmas, with two screenings of each classic movie Dec. 23 and one double-feature Dec. 24. The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave. $13.50-$15.50 single feature/$20-$24 double feature for adults; $10 single feature/$15 double feature for kids 12 and under. https://tinyurl.com/tdawllo

THE HOUSE’S ‘NUTCRACKER’ E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 story, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” gets plenty of retellings at this time of year. But none is as original as this ballet-free musical version from the House Theatre of Chicago, now in its 10th-anniversary production. This time around, Clara’s late brother Fritz reappears in the guise of the Nutcracker to help cheer the grieving family at Christmastime. Clara’s toys coming to life, and their battles with the funny/scary rats are highlights, but kids even get some intermission fun: They can run onstage to play in the “snow.” Catch a special Christmas Eve-Eve performance (i.e., Monday, Dec. 23), or one of the last five performances Dec. 26-29. At Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. $40-$45. https://tinyurl.com/sjrwy29

Dec. 24

AURORA’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Cap your Christmas Eve with a leisurely drive to enjoy a fancy lights festival. Putter through this west suburban park, past more than 400 lit-up trees, signs and animated tableaux, including Santa’s Toy Factory and Old Man Winter. The Rotary Club of Aurora and the city itself team up to present this annual spectacle, which stretches for more than a mile. 5-9 p.m. (through Dec. 26) inside Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora. Free; donations for charity accepted. aurorafestivaloflights.com

Dec. 25

‘MEAN GIRLS’ If you’re done with the holiday sweetness, here’s a bracing slap to the face to cap your Christmas: “Mean Girls” blows into town! Forget all about Santa; we’re living in Regina’s world now. In this biting comedy, set in a well-heeled suburban-Chicago high school, new student Cady aims to dethrone Queen Bee Regina and her cruel clique. The hit musical, adapted by Tina Fey from her own screenplay, arrives for its Chicago premiere in a monthlong run. After the Dec. 25 opening, it runs through Jan. 26 at Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. $30-$120. broadwayinchicago.com/show/mean-girls

Dec. 26

AIC’S WINTER BREAK ARTIST’S STUDIO A parent’s annual conundrum: What to do with the kids when Christmas is over but winter break isn’t? Happily, the Art Institute offers this diversion: Spend a chunk of your day at the drop-in art studio, where families are welcome to dream and create. Perhaps you’ll find inspiration to create a pop masterpiece, like the ones on display at the Warhol exhibit! 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 26-31. Enter via the Art Institute of Chicago’s Ryan Learning Center, 159 E. Monroe St. Free. https://tinyurl.com/rgcqrgq

Dec. 27

HOLIDAY FLOWER SHOW: ‘INVISIBLE FORCES’ The city’s winter oasis, Garfield Park Conservatory is always packed with a wide variety of flora. But for an end-of-the-year bonus, it also offers this special flower show, “Invisible Forces.” Amid white-birch wind chimes and deep-red poinsettias, visitors learn about unseen elements that dictate the lives of plants. Through Jan. 5 at the conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free. https://tinyurl.com/wzl2f5p

Dec. 31

KOHL’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH This New Year’s Eve party is so popular, it happens twice! Boogie to a live band in the morning, or to a DJ spinning in the afternoon. Make party hats and noisemakers, decorate frames for family photos — and, of course, explore the museum, open exclusively for partygoers. At the climax, count down to “midnight” and revel in an enormous confetti drop. 8:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-3 p.m. at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. $30-$35. https://tinyurl.com/ycre6hcf

Web Behrens is a freelance reporter.