Chris Van Allsberg's best-selling book comes alive, including a visit from Santa and a small present for all aboard. Trains board from the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve picnic grove, on Route 31. Advance purchase of tickets (www.foxtrolley.org/reservations.html)  required. Copies of the book "The Polar Express" can be purchased for $18. Nov. 24, Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16.

Family Fun Days  | Oak Park

FREE

Junior interpreters guide families through the home during 30-minute tours, telling stories about how the Wright family celebrated the winter holidays at the turn of the last century. The entire home will be decorated as it was when the Wright family lived in the home during the late 1800s and early 1900s, and Froebel blocks - the toys Wright played with as a child to learn about shapes and design - will be available for children to enjoy. Free hot chocolate served outside.

Free family tours offered during Fun Days at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. The free event will take place 9-11 a.m. Dec. 8 and 15. Junior interpreters, trained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, will guide families through the home during the 30-minute tours. During the Victorian Christmas celebration, the entire home will be decorated as it was when the Wright family lived in the home during the late 1800s and early 1900s. For more information, visit GoWright.org/FamilyFunDays.

Ride Santa's Candy Cane Express in enclosed or open railroad coaches on a two-and-half mile railway line through the woods and past lakes and farm fields and visit with Santa in the vintage-1900s caboose.

Learn and connect to the history of the Marathon race, inspired by the Battle of Marathon (490 BC), from the first Marathon race in the 1896 Athens Olympics to today. Includes section on The Chicago Marathon. Children are invited to participate in a Race for Pheidippides scavenger hunt to redeem a prize. Exhibit coloring pages also available.

Decorate an ornament with the ceramics department then a cookie with First Slice Pie Cafe.

Festive decorations deck the halls, and guests also enjoy special seasonal games, group builds and plenty of LEGO holiday fun! Activities include winter-themed speed build challenges, a holiday scavenger hunt, the chance to build a giant snowman in a group build and photo opportunities with the life-size Santa and Snowman.

Ice skating party for girls 6 and up. Girls are encouraged, but not required, to bring a doll or stuffed animal. Event includes skating, a photo, making a souvenir to take home, and lunch. Purchase tickets by calling (219) 769 PARK, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30p.m. or from the Lake County Parks business office, 8411 E. Lincoln Highway, 4 ½ miles east of I-65 on Route 30, just west of Deep River Waterpark. Tickets are also available at the Waterpark when the ice skating plaza is open.

Hundreds of skaters of all ages tell the tale of Clara and her musical holiday adventures. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

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.