Ballet Légere’s Nutcracker
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, Noon and 4 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Dominican University
Local students of Légere Dance Centre in River Forest join professional adult dancers from Chicagoland for their annual production of this holiday ballet. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours is required for ages 12 and older. Masks required for all. $35, premium seating; $30 premium children/senior or general seating; $25 children/seniors general seating. Tickets: balletlegere.org/tickets, 708-488-5000. 7900 W. Division St., River Forest.
Christmas Favorites
Saturday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church
Michael Teolis Singers returns to in-person singing. “Carol of the Bells,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Christmas Time is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas, the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah and more. Masks and proof of vaccination are required. $22, advance; $25 at the door; $17 seniors advance; $20 seniors at the door. Tickets/more: mtsingers.org/ticket-information.html. 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.
Holiday Gift and Art Fair
Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., McDonough Hall, St. Giles Church
Shop for holiday gifts and more from a selection of items from local vendors and artists. Free admission. 1101 Columbian, Oak Park.
Winter Greens Market
Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 19, Oak Park Conservatory
Shop for wreaths, garland, swags, porch pots and other winter accents. An array of evergreens, boxwood, winter berries, magnolia tips and more are available for winter containers and decorating. Need help putting a container together? It can be arranged for you! 615 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Dombrowski’s Christmas Trees
Daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Rehm Pool Parking Lot
The Park District of Oak Park has partnered with the Tree Farm to bring freshly cut Christmas trees throughout the winter season. 515 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Dark Side of the Yule
Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Church
Christmas meets classic rock as Classical Blast plays music by bands like Metallica, Evanescence, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and others, mashed with holiday classics and baroque carols, then rolled into a series of musical stories that explore the holiday season’s darker themes. The band includes bandleader/bass, Bill Syniar, and manager/producer, Barbara Weigand, both of Oak Park. $20, advance; $25, at door; $10, ages 16 and under. Tickets/more: classicalblast.com. 611 Randolph, Oak Park.
Candlelight Walk
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, 5 to 8 p.m., Oak Park Conservatory
Enjoy the greenhouses filled with luminaries and poinsettias. Children can have photos taken with Santa among the holiday plant displays. Limited time slots available. Register: pdop.org. 615 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Holiday Kickoff
Saturday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m., Madison Street Theater (MST)
Enjoy a family-friendly evening of performance and storytelling. See Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Show Choir and The Caroling Party, who will perform a short a capella concert and later, will lead a sing-along. Enjoy readings of holiday stories. Santa Claus will arrive for pictures with everyone in the audience. $8; $5, children. Tickets/more: madisonstreettheater.org/events. 1010 Madison St., Oak Park.
Animal Care League Holiday Bazaar
Shop for holiday items, try your luck on the online raffle and more, all to support homeless pets. Browse selected bazaar items and enter the raffle online through Saturday, Dec. 4. In-person shopping is Friday, Dec. 3, 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Masks required and be prepared to wait in line. Pickup online bazaar merchandise and winning raffle items Sunday, Dec. 5. More: animalcareleague.org/events.html. 1529 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn.
Christmas Boutique and Floral Design Demo
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cheney Mansion
Shop the boutique for hostess gifts, secret Santas, teacher appreciation, etc. starting at 11:30. Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest meeting begins at noon. At 1 p.m., Emily Neuman of EcoWilde Flower Co. will demonstrate floral designs. Three completed designs will be raffled at the end. Free; all welcome. More: gcoprf.org. 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park.
Winterfest
Saturday, Dec. 4, 3 to 6 p.m., Downtown Oak Park
Shop local, enjoy free hot cocoa and coffee, photos with St. Nick and a variety of family-friendly entertainment: Dickens Accordionist (4-6 p.m.), Lola Bard Carolers (4-5 p.m.), OPRFHS Show Choir (3-4 p.m.) and Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts (4 p.m.). Note: Cookie Walk tins are sold out. More: downtownoakpark.net/event/winterfest-cookie-walk. On Marion St. between Lake St. and North Blvd.
Holiday Gift Project
Drop off by Dec. 3, Sarah’s Inn and other locations
Help make the holidays brighter for Sarah’s Inn clients and their children by donating new toys or gift cards. Building Blocks, games, dolls, headphones and more are all on the wish list. For a complete list of requested items and drop off locations, go to: sarahsinn.org/events/holiday-gift-project-2021. More: mariami@sarahsinn.org
