Hear a variety of choral groups and join them in a holiday sing-along at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park.

Traditional German winter holiday market features holiday decorations, vendors in stalls and cottages selling German gift items and foods, entertainment and activities for all ages. The annual Children's Lantern Parade on St. Martin's Day is a highlight for children. Check the website for a detailed schedule of hours and events. New in 2012, Kinder Korner, a resource for children, teachers and parents, that includes at-market activities.

Visit Santa Nov. 25 from 6-8 p.m. and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, Nov. 28-Dec. 20 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Special hours on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, and Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Please note Santa takes a break each day from 3-4 p.m.

The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 in Pere Marquette park. Featuring live music, fireworks and the ceremonial lighting of the downtown lights. The light festival features thousands of lights and holiday displays.

Spontaneous, family-friendly experiences around the Loop that include street performances from Goodman Theatre and Joffrey Ballet; giveaways of hot beverages, pastries and prizes from Corner Bakery; free pop-up photo booths, complete with props, from SmileBooth; strolling carolers and bands from local colleges and high schools; and Berghoff Restaurant mascot "Herman the German" giving away custom steins, ornaments and treats. Plus seasonal displays, decorations, and the 10 Wonders of the Loop.

Santa Lucia arrives by horse-drawn carriage and Santa arrives to open the Gingerbread House. Enjoy carolers, the Great Tree lighting, old fashioned candy cane pull, roasted chestnuts, Swedish cookies and shopping. Call for Santa hours and complimentary horse-drawn carriage ride times/date. At 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, Chef Alain Roby will try to break the record for the world's longest candy cane. The candy cane will stretch 40 feet down Third Street, beginning at Third and Campbell and stretching to the intersection of Third and Janes.

Santa's little house on the Naperville Riverwalk will be occupied by Santa and kids can visit and have their photo taken.

Drive-through light show includes a mile of Santa, reindeer, candy canes, penguins, Old Man Winter, lighted trees and more.

Model trains will wind their way through a miniature village set in a field of poinsettias. The village is made entirely of natural materials and features a variety of Chicago-style homes and famous buildings such as the neighborhood bungalow, Chicago Theatre and Chicago Water Tower Place. Nov. 26-Jan. 8.

Build a snowman out of biodegradable and natural items to win. Fill out an entry form at the main office.

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.