Recurring on Sundays
Elmhurst Model Railroad Club Sunday open house. From 1-4 p.m. every Sunday at the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club, 111 E. First St., and visit the club’s three operating model railroad layouts. For more information, call 630-530-9584 or email: emrrc@comcast.net
Recurring daily until Jan. 2
Winter Scavenger Hunt. Recurring daily at the Elmhurst City Centre, discover the magic of the season with over 100 plush reindeer hidden in the windows of your favorite merchants throughout City Centre. Explore downtown Elmhurst, search for the reindeer, and enter to win over 100 prizes. Player cards are available online or at any participating retailer. And don’t forget to check out the dazzling holiday lights as you explore the shops and restaurants of downtown Elmhurst. Don’t miss out on this festive experience. For more information, visit: https://elmhurstcitycentre.com/events
Now through Jan. 4
Elmhurst Art Museum – Shakkei: Work by Mayumi Lake and Bob Faust: Shakkei: Work by Mayumi Lake and Bob Faust occupies the museum’s main galleries as well as the historic Mies van der Rohe—designed McCormick House, featuring new site-responsive installations alongside recent works. The title references the Japanese principle of Shakkei—or “borrowed scenery”—a design philosophy that harmonizes built environments with the surrounding natural landscape. Lake and Faust interpret this concept broadly, as a metaphor for empathy, adaptability, and the capacity to hold multiple perspectives at once. Their works reflect a deep engagement with personal history, place, and the transformative power of shared visual language. For more information, visit: elmhurstartmuseum.org
Recurring weekly through Jan. 30
People, places and things: Photography by Audrey Lowe. Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from noon-5 p.m. at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Lowe invites the public to experience her evocative solo exhibition of a life’s work of photography art. Proceeds from sales will benefit Glioblastoma Research. The exhibition will culminate with a closing reception on Jan. 30 from 7-9 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit: https://www.elmhurstartistsguild.org/
Tree lighting in Wilder Park. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., join the Elmhurst Park District as it kicks off the holiday season in Wilder Park. We’ll count down to the lighting of the community trees that surround the park and enjoy holiday festivities. Free to attend. Sponsored by Kelly Stetler Real Estate Team and Super Ego Holding. For more information, visit: https://www.epd.org/news/tree-lighting-wilder-park
Friday, Dec. 5
Lessons and Carols at Elmhurst University. Starting at 4 p.m., the annual Elmhurst University Festival of Lessons and Carols draws together the campus and community to welcome a joyful and spiritual season. The university will offer two services, at 4 p.m. and 7: p.m. in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. Doors open half an hour before each start time. The 7 p.m. service also will be livestreamed at elmhurst.edu/bluejaytv. The event is free and all are welcome. For more information, email marketing@elmhurst.edu.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Hometown Holiday Family Fun Day. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., presented by the Elmhurst History Museum, come celebrate the holidays in downtown Elmhurst. Enjoy free family fun and games in a large, heated tent near the City Centre Fountain Plaza. Santa and his friends will be on hand for classic photo opportunities. Guests can enjoy history games and trivia from the Elmhurst History Museum, holiday face painters, free hot chocolate, coffee and treats, and more! Our favorite DJ will be on hand to play all your favorite songs as well. Held in partnership with Elmhurst City Centre. For more information, visit: https://www.elmhursthistory.org/event/hometown-holiday-family-fun-day/852
Santa’s Workshop at Wilder Mansion. From noon-3 p.m. at Wilder Mansion, 211 S. Prospect, a holiday store just for kids! Join Elmhurst Park District at Wilder Mansion for Santa’s Workshop—a special place just for children where they can purchase inexpensive holiday gifts for those they love, including parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and more! Items are kid-priced and kid-friendly. For more information, visit: https://www.epd.org/news/santas-workshop-wilder-mansion
Art and Design Exhibition Reception. The Elmhurst University Capstone Exhibition is the culminating thesis exhibition for undergraduate Studio Art and Graphic Design majors. This eclectic showcase features work from a variety of artistic disciplines, including graphic design, sculpture, painting and drawing, printmaking, installation art, and ceramics. Over the course of a semester, each student builds a cohesive body of work with a unique concept or visual statement. As a group, students plan and install the exhibition, organize a formal reception, and advertise the exhibition through collaborative promotional design. This 6-8 p.m. reception is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Barbara A. Kieft Accelerator ArtSpace on the Elmhurst University campus.
Sunday, Dec. 7
ECPA Winter Carolers. Tickets go on sale Black Friday, Nov. 28. Plan your neighborhood party with hot cocoa and a visit from Santa, delight your dinner guests, or cuddle your kids at the front door for an experience they’ll always remember. The winter carolers are back and ready to share the sounds of the season, spreading holiday cheer, for one night only: Sunday, Dec. 7. The winter carolers are insanely talented, wildly popular, and will sell out. Be sure to mark your calendar to secure your visit. Visit the website for your song selection and choose two when you check out. Visits will begin at 5 p.m., with the last stop being at 7 p.m. Please note that we cannot guarantee an exact arrival time. Once all visits are sold, we will share with you an estimated time of arrival. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as our winter carolers safely wind their way through town. Price: $100 per visit. For more information, visit: https://www.encorecenterforperformingarts.org/event/ecpa-winter-carolers-2 or www.ECPA-Elmhurst.org
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Learn about emergency foster care with Shelter Youth & Family Services. From 6-7:30 p.m. at Ella’s Italian Pub, 100 N. York St., have you wondered what happens to children in care who have nowhere to go? Join us at our in-person event at Ella’s Italian Pub to learn about being an Emergency Foster Home with Shelter Youth & Family Services. Get all your questions answered. These special homes take in children in emergency situations for a limited time, providing them care and safety at a critical point in their lives. Shelter Youth & Family Services provides Emergency Foster Parents wraparound services, supporting foster parents and ensuring children receive what they need. Also, Emergency Foster Parents receive additional financial support. If you are licensed or not yet licensed, living in Chicagoland or the northern region of Illinois, you are welcome to join and learn about the extra financial and other supports available to emergency foster parents. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information, visit: www.letitbeus.org or contact Cathy Newbury at cathynewbury@letitbeus.org
Saturday, Dec. 13
Holiday Party: Create with us. From 1-4 p.m. presented by the Elmhurst History Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., celebrate the winter holidays at the art museum with a festive art-making activity and sweet treats. Enjoy a visit from Santa from 1:15-2:45 p.m. Included with museum admission. Members are free. For more information, visit elmhurstartmuseum.org
Fused Glass Pendant Workshop. From 1-3 p.m. presented by the Elmhurst History Museum, learn to make fused glass art at our beginner-friendly workshop this holiday season in partnership with Stern Glass Works. Attendees will have the opportunity to create a unique fused glass pendant inspired by the bold colors and design of the Century of Progress World’s Fair! Create your own wearable art for yourself or make a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one. No prior experience is necessary. All materials will be provided, as well as light refreshments. Space is limited to 20, and the prices is $35 per person. For more information, visit: https://www.elmhursthistory.org/event/fused-glass-pendant-workshop/758/
Sunday, Dec. 14
Elmhurst Choral Union Presents Handel’s Messiah. Beginning at 3 p.m. and presented by the Elmhurst Choral Union at Elmhurst University Hammerschmidt Chapel, be inspired by Handel’s Messiah, sung by Elmhurst Choral Union with a professional orchestra and soloists in the warm community setting and great acoustics of Hammerschmidt Chapel (on the campus of Elmhurst University). Audience members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to this performance in support of a local food charity and families in need this holiday season. Price is $30 for adults; $25 for seniors; $15 for youth up to age 18. For more information, visit: https://elmhurstchoralunion.org/
Elmhurst Art Museum
Info: 630-834-0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.