There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
December
Martin Mitchell Mansion Holiday Tours
Through Dec. 21, check website for times. Tour the Martin Mitchell Mansion to see it decorated in the Edwardian style of the 1910s. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, naperlights.com.
Giving Trees & 18th Century Creche Display
Through Dec. 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A gallery of Christmas trees decorated by local charities and an 18th century Creche – a historical nativity scene originally displayed at The Little Traveler. Geneva History Museum, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.
Star Wars: The Nostalgia Awakens
Through Dec. 30, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. This exhibit features action figures inspired by the original Star Wars movie series. Look for 100 posable figures, three large creatures, 19 vehicles and 13 play sets. Gail Borden Public Library (GBPL), Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Festival of Trees
Through Dec. 31, regular museum hours. See more than 20 trees decorated by businesses and nonprofit groups. Special events all month. Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore, (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org.
Christmas Memories House Tour
Through Jan. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy the historical 1890s farmhouse decked out in festive greens, savor the spicy aromas of holiday treats and discover the origins of holiday foods, decorated trees and other traditions. Tours begin at the top of the hour. Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 Country Farm Road, West Chicago, (630) 876-5900, dupageforest.com.
Art Walkthrough: Sense of Place
Dec. 10, 1-4 p.m. Join exhibiting artists from Sense of Place on a walkthrough of the exhibition. Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, (630) 834-0202, elmhurstartmuseum.org.
This is Christmas
Dec. 10-17, Check website for dates and times. Enjoy family-friendly comedy, games, festive music, holiday treats, and performances by singer/songwriter Tim Timmons and Illusionist Jared Hall. Christ Community Church, 40W098 Galena Blvd., Aurora; 1600 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb; 37W100 Bolcum Road, St. Charles; 23 W. Streamwood Blvd., Streamwood. ccclife.org.
Victorian Holiday Tea
Dec. 11, 12:30 p.m. & 3 p.m. Enjoy tea and finger sandwiches in the grand parlor while learning about holiday traditions from the 1800s. Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5873, cl-hs.org.
History Speaks Lecture Series: Mrs. Claus
Dec. 14, 7-8 p.m. You may have heard about Mr. Santa Claus, but who is Mrs. Claus? She will explain the ups and downs of her marriage, her two identity crises and how she found love, joy and the spirit of Christmas. Century Memorial Chapel, Naper Settlement, Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.
Family Holiday Party
Dec. 17, noon-4 p.m. Join Elmhurst Art Museum for its annual holiday party. Enjoy complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, holiday art activities and a visit from Santa at 1 p.m. Elmhurst Art Museum, (630) 834-0202, elmhurstartmuseum.org.
January
Great Inaugural Speeches in History
Jan. 8, 2-3 p.m. Professor Gary Midkiff reviews seven inaugural presidential speeches that have challenged citizens to rethink what it means to be an American. Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect St., Elmhurst, (630) 279-8696, elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.
Whiskey Dinner
Jan. 20-21, 6 p.m. Warm up this winter by enjoying a four-course meal and whiskey pairings with a guest speaker from William Grans and Sons distillery. Ginkgo Restaurant, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.
February
Black History Family Festival
Feb. 4, 1 p.m. Celebrate local black educators, student leaders and local arts and education. GBPL, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Chocolates from Around the World
Feb. 11, 2 p.m. Pastry Chef Rose Deneen provides a variety of chocolates from around the world for tasting. Samples and recipes will be included. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Fermilab Family Open House
Feb. 12, 1-5 p.m. Children of all ages can learn about the world of physics at this premier national physics laboratory. Fermilab, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
Brown Bag Program: Catalog Homes
Feb. 14, noon-1 p.m. Hear stories of area homes that were ordered by mail and sent by rail. Geneva History Museum, Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.
Making Theater
Feb. 16, 10 a.m. Actor, director, playwright and teacher David Catlin shares the journey he began when he and seven students looked to redefine the limits of theatrical experience. Part of the Creative Living Series. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockfinearts.org.
March
The Wilson Brothers
March 4, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn about Oscar and August Wilson, who built many structures in Geneva. This program is in conjunction with the exhibit “Inside & Out: Geneva’s Faces, Places & Spaces,” which highlights the people behind some of the city’s interesting homes and buildings. Geneva History Museum, Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.
Wonders of Science
March 19, 1 p.m. A fast-paced series of demonstrations on chemical and physical phenomena that engages young scientists mentally and physically. Fermilab, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture