The holidays just aren’t the holidays without being able to look forward to some traditional events throughout Chicago. Here are some events that might appeal to you and/or the family:
During the holiday season, the Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave., will become Chicago’s tallest Christmas decoration, topped by a holiday star and red and green lights. Plus, during four weekends of “Great View and Santa, Too,” Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will take up residence in the Hancock Observatory. Kids can hand over their lists to Santa between 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20. Admission is $8 for adults; $6, children; and free for children 4 and under. Call 888-875-8439.
“A Christmas Carol” will entertain children and adults through Dec. 23 at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Drury Lane play stays as close to Dickens’ original text as possible, and some music is added. For show times and tickets ($6), call 630-530-0111.
At Drury Lane Theatre Evergreen Park, “The Nutcracker–A Classic Musical” is playing through Jan. 8. Featuring the music of Tchaikovsky, the show will feature a snow princess, the Land of Toys, a singing harp, talking rocking horse, Sugar Plum Fairy and a Nutcracker Prince. Show times are 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon; the theater is at 2500 W. 95th St. For tickets ($7 children, $8 adults) and show dates, call 708-422-0404.
Get some holiday kicks in watching the world-famous Rockettes starring in “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” which begins Friday and runs through Dec. 27 at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont. Last year, the production proved so popular, 25 performances have been added to this holiday season’s schedule. The production consists of more than 100 cast and crew members, more than 300 stunning costumes, 200 hats, three camels, five sheep, two donkeys and a dog. And the Rockettes will do lots of high kicking. Tickets are $24.50-$54.50; call 847-671-5100.
The Goodman Theatre will highlight “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” for the holidays. It’s a one-man show written and performed by Tom Mula, and it’s adapted from Mula’s best-selling novel. The play has a new twist to Dickens’ story by telling the story of Scrooge’s ordeal from the point of view of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Performances run Friday through Dec. 27, at 200 S. Columbus Drive. Prices run from $18-$27; call 312-443-3800.
There will be a Gingerbread Fantasy Factory again this year at the Chicago Children’s Museum to stir kids’ imaginations with holiday spices. The “factory” is a kid-sized, hands-on cookie factory run by gingerbread boys and girls, along with museum visitors. The exhibit runs through Jan. 24. A bake-off for big and little chefs takes place 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., has a Christmas singalong and double feature every December. “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” will be presented for the 15th annual event Dec. 21-23 at a cost of $7.75. You can get advance tickets as early as Dec. 7 through Ticketmaster (312-559-1250). Call 773-871-6604 for show times.
