Enjoy indoor and outdoor lighted displays, designer wreaths and trees, a replica English country train platform, and the Model Railroad Garden in seasonal decor.

Get a glimpse into what happens at Brookfield Zoo at night. Enjoy a pizza dinner and craft activities, then go on a night hike that highlights zoo residents and nocturnal Illinois wildlife. The next morning, wake up to a hot breakfast buffet, a morning hike and a visit to an animal exhibit.

Holly Days  | Chicago

Visit the illustrated-book exhibition Picturing Poetr, then stop by the studio to create illustrations of your own poems. Enjoy an interactive family gallery walk at 1:30 p.m. On December 27 only, meet the Art Institute's mascot Artie the lion.

Visitors become space adventurers and set off on a journey to discover the Universe in a way never done before. Travel a billion light-years and back, fly through space, orbit the Moon, zoom into a canyon on Mars, and soar through the cosmic web where a million galaxies shower down. The experience was created utilizing real telescopic data and the best scientific imagery.

Multispecies holiday aquatic show features dolphins, beluga whales and a sea lion, accompanied by multicultural holiday music and festive backgrounds from around the world. The Oceanarium will be transformed with snow covered trees, rocks and twinkling lights. Special holiday costumed characters, including Santa, will make an appearance.

Watch men painted blue do unusual performance art and original slapstick comedy. It's fun to sit in the front, but remember to wear a plastic poncho to avoid the flying food and liquids. Buy tickets at the box office, online, via Ticketmaster or by calling (773) 348-4000.

The Goodman presents its annual production of the Dickens Christmas classic from Nov. 17-Dec. 29. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, by phone, or on the website.

The 1960 musical version of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist includes the songs "Consider Yourself," "Where Is Love?," "As Long as He Needs Me," "Who Will Buy?" and "I'd Do Anything." Performances run Dec. 22-31.

Live, radio-style performance includes musican accompaniment, humorous commercials and a closing sing-a-long. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays from Dec. 14-30.

Street Tempo Theatre takes the audience on a seasonal adventure with singing, dancing, stories, interactive games and non-holiday specific eggnog. Previews are 3 and 8 p.m. Nov. 15, 16 and 17. Regular run is 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays Nov. 23-Dec. 30.