Ten Fun Family Events to Help You Get into the Holiday Spirit

Christmas is only about a week away, but there are still lots of events in and around Elmhurst to ring in the season. Hopefully, you're shopping is done, your gifts are wrapped, your house is clean and your decorations are up. It's definitely time to take a break and have some fun.

• From 2 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, grab the kids and head over to Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., to design and create a holiday card for a special family member. Blank cards, rubber stamps and sparkly craft supplies will be provided. This activity is for kids in grades two through eight. Call (630) 279-8696.
• Elmhurst Dance Theatre, the resident company of the DuPage Dance Academy, will present Nutcracker Highlights at 2 and  7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Sandburg Middle School auditorium, 345 E. St. Charles Road. Tickets are available at the door and cost $9 for adults, $6 for children. Call (630) 279-1445.
• Pointsettias in red and white, and other Christmas flowers will be on display through the end of December at Wilder Park Conservatory, 225 Prospect Ave. While winter winds blow outside, the conservatory is a warm way to take in the beauty of the season. The conservatory is located at the south end of Wilder Park and is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. The show is especially beautiful at night under the lights. Call (630) 993-8901.
• It snowed! It snowed! What kid doesn't love heading for the hills after even a small snow. Three lighted hills are available in Elmhurst through February: at Berens Park, Crestview Park and Eldridge Park. Kids can bring plastic sleds, tubes, saucers and toboggans. Outdoor skating also is allowed at Eldridge Lagoon when ice reaches 8 inches thick; signs and flags are posted. Call (630) 993-8901.
• Holiday Magic continues at Brookfield Zoo for two more weekends, from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19, and Dec. 26-31, at the zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield. Visitors will enjoy more than 100 animated light displays, special shows and caroling to the animals. Make this an annual family tradition.
• The MacAninch Theater at College of DuPage also will be alive with holiday tradition this weekend. The Nutcracker will be staged at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Mac. Hot Club Cool Yule, a swinging musical trip to the North Pole, will be performed from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Club Mac. Visit http://home.cod.edu/atthemac/ for ticket prices and more information.
• Merry Cranberry: A Holiday Magic Show, will keep kids busy to start their winter break at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave. Kids will be mesmerized by magician Danny Orleans. Call (630) 279-8696.
• Downtown Wheaton's Dickens of a Christmas Celebration continues through Dec. 24, with horse-drawn carriage ridges from noon to 3 p.m. and a visit with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Special store events will continue all the way through Christmas Eve, and a winter French market, featuring locally grown produce, jewelry, crafts and more, will be held Saturdays through April 11. Call (630) 682-0633.
• There will be one more Santa Saturday in Elmhurst, Dec. 18. Get in the spirit of the season by enjoying Elmhurst City Centre's Storytime with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at Serene Teaz, 108 West Park Ave. Enjoy holiday favorites read by wonderful storytellers. For more details or to register for this event, please visit www.elmhurstcitycentre.com.
• There's some Midnight Madness happening in Elmhurst Thursday, Dec. 23. Fannie May, 116 N. York St., will be open until midnight for some last-minute shopping, or just to satisfy that late-night sweet tooth. And be sure to stop by La La Land, 129 N. Addison St., also open to midnight, and offering sales and giveaways. Put the kids to bed and shop. La La Land staff will provide the wrapping too. Visit www.elmhurstcitycentre.com for more downtown shopping specials.