Santa reads a story aloud, before he and Mrs. Claus tale photos and mingle. A special lunch of a slice of pizza or hot dog and a small drink, plus 10 game credit can be purchased for $3.

A new respite care program offers free childcare for children with special needs. The program is free for all families. No affiliation with the church or any church is required.Facilities specific to children with special needs include: wheelchair access, quiet room, sensory wall, playroom, nursery, accessible restroom and changing table.Volunteers are trained with sensitivity and knowledge to care for children with autism, Down syndrome, behavioral disorders, cerebral palsy, speech and language impairments, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and developmental/cognitive disabilities. There is a place for any child affected by special needs, as well as their siblings. Childcare is provided from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Children may be dropped off and picked up at any time during this period. Parents are welcome to spend time in the facilities to observe, meet other parents, or connect with volunteers. To register, email or call Amy Giacalone, churchinroscoevillage@gmail.com.

Includes Gingerbread Story-time, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Gingerbread Man Hunt, Gingerbread House Contest, visits with Santa in his Gingerbread House, Small Business Saturday, Gingerbread Boy and Girl perusing town, and Complimentary Carriage Rides. For more information, visit www.downtowndg.org or call (630) 725-0991.

Exhibit includes numerous artifacts, photographs and other documentary items that tell the story of Chicago's iconic candy makers, including Snickers, Lemonheads, Butterfingers and Cracker Jack.

Interactive learning centers include a barn slide, apple orchard and chicken coop. Maggie, a life-sized fiberglass milking cow sponsored by Golden Oaks Farm in Wauconda, will be the focus of the new exhibit. Maggie is over five feet tall and features a working udder that recirculates the water that children "milk."

The show will be projected onto a portion of the building, bringing it to life with a customized 3-D projection featuring elves, icicles, snow and other holiday images, all set to dramatic holiday music. This technology, called PaintScaping, has never been seen in Illinois before.