Big Week: December 4 – 11

Rockapella: The five-man vocal “powerhouse” perform their take on holiday faves.

People and Places: The art of David Gilbert and Maria Gedroc.

DearLeader: Man of the Century

Re-envisioning Community Safety

Holiday Bazaar: 3 p.m., The Animal Care League (ACL) Training Facility

Infant Welfare Society Holiday Housewalk, Market and More

Winterfest

Art & Design with Tradition & Innovation Auction

This architectural gem is decorated for the holidays in keeping with the Wright family tradition.

Wright’s Home for the Holidays

Saturday, Dec. 7, arrive between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio:

This architectural gem is decorated for the holidays in keeping with the Wright family tradition. Tour, enjoy treats, family crafts and shopping specials with free gift wrapping. Free. Register/more: flwright.org/programs/homefortheholidays. 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park.

Art & Design with Tradition & Innovation Auction 

Sunday, Dec. 8, begins 10 a.m., Toomey & Co. Auctioneers:

Nearly 600 lots of important artwork, furniture, pottery, metalwork and lighting by top painters, sculptors, ceramicists, furniture makers, designers and architects who have helped define the world of art and design for more than a century are being auctioned. Bid in person, by phone (708-383-5234), or digitally (LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable). Preview through Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Dec. 5 until 7 p.m. for an evening reception. Or view online: toomeyco.com. 818 North Blvd., Oak Park.

Winterfest

Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 to 6 p.m., Downtown Oak Park:

Take part in a Cookie Walk and shop local. Enjoy free hot cocoa and coffee, photos with St. Nick and carolers performing holiday favorites. Cookie Walk includes tin and 30+ individually wrapped cookies to collect at participating businesses. $20 per tin. Reserve: downtownoakpark.net/signature-event/winter-fest. On Marion St. between Lake St. and North Blvd.

Infant Welfare Society Holiday Housewalk, Market and More

Friday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Artisan Holiday Market – Shop one-of-a-kind vendors offering hand-made items. Free.

Friday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, Noon to 4 p.m.

Holiday Housewalk – Tour five Oak Park and River Forest homes festively decorated. $45. 

Also, check out fundraising events: Opening Night Party, Spirit and Wine Tasting (both on Thursday, Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.) and Not-So-Trivial Pursuit Night. Tickets/more: https://childrenscliniciws.org/holiday-housewalk-and-market. Events at Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave. Oak Park.

Creating Winter Holiday Arrangements

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cheney Mansion:

The gathering starts with a Holiday Boutique. At 1 p.m., hear from Andrew Pavarrano, owner of Andrew’s Garden, who will create arrangements that will be raffled. Free; all welcome at this Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest event. More: gcoprf.org. 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park.  

Holiday Bazaar

Friday, Dec. 6, 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to

3 p.m., The Animal Care League (ACL) Training Facility:

Shop new and gently used holiday items, baked goods, pet needs and more to support The ACL. Try your luck at the basket raffle. Family/pet photos with Santa, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. More: facebook.com/events/765188010600465. 1003 Garfield, Oak Park.

Re-envisioning Community Safety: 

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library:

Join a public conversation with elected officials – Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and OP Village Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla. Panelists will answer, “How are you using your power to advance policies that make our communities safer using a racial equity and economic justice lens?” Childcare available (note names/ages in comments of RSVP). RSVP: http://bit.ly/opsafety. More: facebook.com/events/2250744191883262. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

OP District 97 Community Café 

Monday, Dec. 9, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Addis Café:

Meet Superintendent Carol Kelley at an informal discussion. The topic for the event will be “I Belong.” 818 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Robert K. Elder in conversation with Chicago Tribune’s Mary Schmich 

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library:

Meet Oak Park author Elder and hear stories from his two newly published books. Elder has curated an edition of Moby-Dick illustrated by forgotten artist Gilbert Wilson. As a part of that project, he also edited Edward Spann’s previously unpublished biography of Wilson, Unfinished and Unbroken: The Life of Artist Gilbert Wilson. Books will be sold at the event.  834 Lake St., Oak Park.

DearLeader: Man of the Century

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 to 4 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: 

Meet Oak Park artist/author/humorist Jonathan Franklin and see his presidential portraits of Donald Trump. Franklin painted more than two dozen humorous takes in a variety of settings and situations, often based on famous paintings, now assembled in a book, available for sale at the event. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

People and Places

Reception Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 to 4 p.m., West Suburban Medical Center:

See the art of David Gilbert and Maria Gedroc. Through Feb. 15. 3 Erie Ct., Oak Park.

Christmas Concert

Friday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m., Chapel, Concordia University Chicago:

The University Band performs festive music from “O Magnum Mysterium” to “A Christmas Intrada” to “Sleigh Ride” and more. Hear a narration of “The Night Before Christmas” and commentary on each musical selection. Free. Questions: 708-209-3060. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest.

Rockapella

Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., Lund Auditorium, Dominican University:

See the five-man vocal “powerhouse” perform their take on holiday faves from “Little Drummer Boy” to “Winter Wonderland,” as well as Rockapella hits like “Wonderful Christmastime” and “Matunda Ya Kwanzaa.” $31 – $42. Tickets/more: events.dom.edu/rockapella-0. 7900 Division St., River Forest.

Holiday Jazz

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 to 3:30 p.m., River Forest Library: 

Get into the spirit of the season with a performance by local jazz musician James Callen. Free. 

735 Lathrop Ave.

Gloria! Noel! Alleluia!

Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church:

Hear a choral music concert by the Michael Teolis Singers. There will be familiar carols and other works, such as “Cantata for the Nativity,” which is rarely heard. Merit School of Music’s Perfect Cadence joins the performance. $20; $15, seniors/students. More: 224-421-6847, info@MTSingers.org. 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Three Tenors: A Holiday Gift for You

Monday, Dec. 9, 1:15 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club:

Lyric Opera tenor John Concepcion is joined by chorus tenors Ken Donovan and Tim Bradley in performing operatic masterworks, musical theater favorites and holiday classics. $15, requested donation. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.