With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can traverse the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville or the 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Starting Sunday, Nov. 4, the trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open until 9 .m. daily until March 9.

20,000 twinkling lights and hand-decorated trees transform Cosley Zoo into a fairy tale winter wonderland.Visit the animals and purchase a cup of hot chocolate, your tree, wreath, and holiday gifts.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Homewood, Martin Avenue is an ice skating venue for the entire family. Fully staffed and equipped with free rentals, open skate is from 2-8 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 15, and 22. Skate rentals are free and most sizes available or bring your own skates.

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.

Interactive musical for kids premieres Dec. 6 and 7 with free 10 a.m. community shows; public performances will be presented Dec. 7 at 4 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.

Kick-off the holiday shopping season and shop local. The streets of Downtown Highland Park are transformed into a winter wonderland, with 'real' snow, live reindeer, horse drawn sleigh rides, holiday dancers, singers and performers, s'more making in the great outdoors, food and drink, and more.

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.

Enjoy music, hot chocolate, a bonfire and visits from winter characters while waiting for the arrival of Santa. Downtown Homewood businesses offer specials all night with musical trolley rides around town and Independence Park transforms into a winter "Funland."

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.