Outdoor events offer safer ways to celebrate
Every holiday season, every year, I have a ritual where I say “this year I’m going to do _______.” Some things that I have talked about doing for decades before I actually did them include finding a holiday show to go to that I won’t have to drag everyone to, going to a corn maze, and seeing some of the lights displays I read about in the paper each year.
Five years ago, we started going to Second City’s Dysfunctional Christmas Show, and I discovered that my sons are big fans of improv comedy (we’ll do the online version this year available at atthemac.org). I’ve still never been to a corn maze. And this year, I made a commitment to check out some of the outdoor lights displays and events going on around the suburbs.
A couple weeks ago I wrote about going to “A Christmas Story Comes Home,” the Indiana Welcome Center’s tribute to the popular holiday movie. Last week, I wrote about virtual shows with suburban roots.
Regarding popular holiday light showcases, there are tours and displays to amuse people from toddlers to retirees. This is not a complete list, but a look at some interesting ones worth checking out. All of these events require advance ticket purchases for timed entry.
Newly drive-thru
The Morton Arboretum’s Illumination in Lisle has been one of the biggest draws in the suburbs, and is generally very crowded. The Arboretum staff knew they had to do something different this year, so they created a more spread out series of lighted trees set to music (88.5 FM). The warm car setting opens the event up to people who could not spend an hour outdoors on a cold winter’s night. Many times are sold out, but tickets may be released on Mondays.
Who’s it for? Anyone who can sit in a car for 30 minutes.
How long is it? It takes 20-30 minutes to go through the complete Illumination.
Can you get out of your car? No. There’s also no reason to (unless you have to go to the bathroom, and limited portable restrooms are available). Set your radio to 88.5 FM and enjoy the ride.
Is it worth it? It’s pricey, but in a year where the options are few, I’d recommend loading the household in the car for it. The
Arboretum offers a peaceful, classy, calm experience.
Details: Illumination at Morton Arboretum. Through Jan. 3. $29 to $49 per car. Timed tickets must be purchased online at mortonarb.org.
For grown-ups
The Dr. Edith Farnsworth House, designed by famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the 1950s, is an architectural marvel in the middle of the woods in Plano. Usually the tour goes inside the house, but the glasswalled home is easily viewable for this year’s outside tour. Knowledgeable guides provide an interesting history of the house, including bits of gossip including the time that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, stayed at the house to get away from it all after her divorce from Prince Andrew (Princess Diana may have visited her there).
Who’s it for? I think it’d be a unique date night. I wouldn’t take kids who are not deeply interested in architecture.
How long is it? The tour guides will entertain you for about an hour.
Is it worth it? Yes, especially if you are a history or architecture buff.
Details: Mod and Merry — an Edith Farnsworth House Holiday. 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Through Dec. 20 at the Farnsworth House, 14520 River Road. $30. 630-5520052; farnsworthhouse.org.
Merry and BRIGHT
The Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake is the setting for Santa’s Rock N Lights, an elaborate drivethrough lights display. The highlight of the display is three multicolored dinosaurs that look like something out of Burning Man. The night I went, families were singing Christmas carols loudly out the windows of their loaded-up cars as guides chirped “merry Christmas!” in a very festive scene.
Who’s it for? Anyone who can sit in a car for 30 minutes.
How long is it? It’s about 20 minutes to see the lights. Tickets are timed, but you’ll probably wait 10-15 minutes to get in.
Can you get out of the car? No. Get your dinosaur pictures from the car window.
Is it worth it? With Santas and Reindeer and dinosaurs and peacocks, it’s a very family friendly display.
Details: Santa’s Rock N Lights. 5-10 p.m. Through Jan. 3. $19.99-$32.99 for first six passengers; $5 per person over six people. 224-757-5425; santas rocknlights.com.
Outside at Six Flags (for the first time in 2020)
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee has been shuttered all year due to
COVID-19, though its water park, Hurricane Harbor, opened for a shortened season in July. So this is your first chance to get into the theme park in 2020. Timed entry tickets allow for social distancing. This is the third year for the event, which is bigger this year, as maintenance employees were able to help with decorations.
Who’s it for? It’s very kid-friendly and focused, with shows scattered throughout the park and characters you can take pictures with — from a distance. Plus, Santa is there to hear gift ideas, again from a safe distance. Photos with Santa are free this year to minimize contact.
Is it worth it? If your kids are cold-weather fans, bundle up the family and make an evening of it. Several of the restaurants are open for outdoor dining, and there are large fire pits around the park to warm yourselves and have a s’more for $5 each (s’more kits are individually wrapped).
Details: Six Flags Great America Holiday in the Park. 542 N. Route 21. 4-9 p.m. weekends and select weekdays through Dec. 27. $19.99 per person; free parking. 847-249-1776, www.sixflags.com.
Wendy Fox Weber is entertainment editor and columnist for the News-Sun, the Beacon-News, the Daily Southtown, Naperville Sun, the Post-Tribune, the Courier-News and Pioneer Press.