TO DO LIST

ILLUMINATION TREE LIGHTS AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM WILL FEATURE A WALKING EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR. Photo courtesy of The Morton Arboretum

TO•DO•LIST WINTER 2021

Illumination Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum 11/20 – 1/2 4:30 p.m. to 8:30p.m. www.mortonarb.org

Guests can explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees during a one-of-a-kind spectacle of color, light and sound. This year’s exhibition returns to a walking experience, featuring five new exhibits, including a special Human+Nature display lit at night, an Arbor Court photo opportunity and festive music throughout the entire Illumination trail.

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn Drury Lane Theatre 11/19 – 1/9 www.drurylanetheatre.com

Based on the classic film, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn follows retired song-and-dance man Jim’s efforts to bring entertainment to his small Connecticut town.

With the help of talented schoolteacher Linda, he turns his farmhouse into an inn and puts on spectacular shows celebrating all holidays. This joyous, familyfriendly musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of Irving Berlin’s hit songs, including the Academy Award-winning “White Christmas.”

Grove Express 5K Downtown Downers Grove 11/25 8:30 a.m. www.groveexpress.com The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, Downers Grove Rotary Club, and the Roadrunners Soccer Club invite all to participate in the 2021 Grove Express 5K Run/Walk. Continuing the Thanksgiving Day tradition of the Bonfield Express, this year’s Grove Express 5K will be held on Thanksgiving Day,

November 25, 2021. The direct donations and proceeds from the Grove Express 5K will uphold the mission to invest in education, youth programs and scholarships.

Visits with Santa Downtown Downers Grove Saturdays and Sundays in December 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. www.downtowndg.org Bring your camera and stop on by to see if you have been naughty or nice. Visits are complimentary thanks to the Downtown Downers Grove Management Corporation.

2021 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships Cantigny Park 12/7 – 12/12 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. www.cantigny.org Cantigny welcomes USA Cycling and roughly 1,800 amateur

CANTIGNY PARK HOSTS THE 2021 USA CYCLING CYCLOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN DECEMBER. Photo courtesy of USA Cycling and Discover DuPage

and professional athletes for the 2021 Cyclocross National Championships, a first-time event for DuPage County. Cyclocross is a discipline of cycling that combines both on- and off-road riding with various course features, some natural and some constructed. Spectators are welcome for this family-friendly event in a highenergy, festival atmosphere. Food trucks and craft beer will be on-site, along with a health and wellness expo and USA Cycling’s free “Let’s Ride” introduction to cycling camp for children.

Dave Rudolf’s Totally Cracked Up Christmas Downers Grove Public Library 12/21 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. www.dglibrary.org Dave Rudolf is a long-time performer and a multi awardwinning singer/songwriter who is releasing his 40th Album. He’s a Gold Record, Grammy nominated artist, and a 15-time

nominee for Entertainer of the Year awards from NACA (The National Association for Campus Activities). Join Dave for a hilarious skewering of Christmas and winter tunes. Featuring parodies and funny original music, Dave takes on the yuletide season in this entertaining show.

New Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Concert McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage 12/31 1:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. www.atthemac.org Ring in the New Year with New Philharmonic as they welcome back baritone Ted Allen Pickel, who sang the title role from the production of The Mikado on stage. Maestro Kirk Muspratt conducts waltzes, polkas, arias, light classical and pops… reflecting back and propelling you forward as only music can.

The Rat Pack is Back Rosemont Theatre 1/28 at 8:00 p.m. www.rosemont.com The Rat Pack is Back in its 20th year in Las Vegas and returns to the Rosemont Theatre on Friday, January 28th. This incredible show recreates the legendary Rat Pack performing at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Frank, Sammy & Dean sing all their hit songs with their amazing band some extra Rat Pack antics thrown in. This show comes to Rosemont every year but missed 2021 due to the Pandemic.