ZooLights celebrates 30 years at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Head to Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo for one of the city’s favorite holiday traditions, which is back for its 30th year with new artistic, interactive displays and programming through Jan. 5. ZooLights features more than three million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive seasonal experiences.

Check out the mesmerizing holiday light tunnel or ride the iconic Ferris wheel, which offers incredible views of the city skyline and all the twinkling lights below. You can even indulge in hot chocolate or roast s’mores over an open fire. On select nights, sing alongside carolers, decorate cookies or be amazed by professional ice carvers.

New this year, you can bask in the holiday spirit in the light lounge and even host your private event at ZooLights. The Lincoln Park Zoo is located at 2001 N. Clark Street. Visit LPZoo.org for specific event details and ticket info.

Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park

Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district has been transformed again this winter with the opening of the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink in late November. The family-friendly rink is surrounded by a spectacular display of more than 80,000 holiday lights. Admission is free, and guests are invited to bring their own skates or rent skates on site for $8. The rink will be open through Jan. 26. A detailed schedule of ice skating hours is available at Rosemont.com/thepark

Holiday activities with the Park Ridge Park District

Holiday Gift Making Memories w/Glitzy Girlz Dec. 12
6-7 p.m. at the Maine Park Leisure Center
Ages 3-10 with adult
Create holiday memories with Glitzy Girlz by joining the Park District for a creative evening with your son or daughter. Together, you’ll make three personalized gifts — a wood craft, a ceramic item and a jewelry piece — perfect for family members. The staff will provide all the supplies and guide you through decorating, designing and wrapping of your surprises.

Winter Wonderland Sensory Festival Dec. 14
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Maine Park Leisure Center
Ages 2-10 with adult
Join the Park District for an inclusive sensory holiday experience. Reduced noise levels, gentle lighting, hands-on experiences, reindeer games and character meet-and-greets. Two time options are available: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Swim with Santa Dec. 21
12:15–1:15 p.m. at Centennial Fitness Center
Ages 3-13
Santa is taking an afternoon off to relax at the Fitness Center Pool, so join him for some festive fun. Swim, sing holiday songs and play reindeer games as you celebrate the season together. Don’t miss this last chance to let Santa know how good you’ve been all year. Activities run from 12:15-1:15 p.m., followed by an open swim (included with registration). If your child is not yet a swimmer, a parent or guardian will need to accompany them in the water.

New Year’s Eve Around the World Dec. 28
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Maine Park Leisure Center
Ages 3-10 with adult
Experience the excitement of New Year’s Eve around the world with your family, all without leaving Park Ridge or staying up late. Explore cultural traditions, make crafts and enjoy snacks and drinks inspired by global flavors. Games, music and entertainment take place throughout the event. The celebration ends with noise makers, hats, beads and a traditional New Year’s Eve balloon drop.

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum
This is the 12th anniversary of the award-winning, one-mile walking tour that covers many of the 50 acres of the Arboretum’s renowned tree collection, which is brought to life with more than one million lights set to music to create a captivating, colorful, interactive experience.

Our favorite exhibit was a large grove of trees that is seemingly alive, growing and changing (even breathing) with different colors right before your eyes. Try to resist taking a video with your camera. We dare you. New this year is Celebration Circle, an interactive light display that features four sets of illuminated tree-shaped installations, each synced to the music of a different instrument.

If you get chilled during your walk, you can duck into heated concession tents or warm up by one of the crackling fires and even make s’mores. The Ginkgo Restaurant provides a great view of the laser light finale on Meadow Lake.

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum runs through Jan. 6, and ticket prices are cheaper if you book online in advance.

4100 Illinois Route 53 in suburban Lisle. 630-968-0074. MortonArb.org

Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Embrace the spirit and beauty of the season at Lightscape, setting the Chicago Botanic Garden aglow with light, music and art through Jan. 5. This year’s reimagined trail takes this annual holiday celebration to new heights and with dazzling installations debuting in the U.S. for the first time. Plus plenty of festive food and drink.

Insider’s tip: Head up to the Botanic Garden earlier in the day if you can to experience the tranquility of the 385 acres of nature, as well as the indoor garden displays and flower and plant exhibits. The Chicago Botanic Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe. Tickets are on sale now at ChicagoBotanic.org/lightscape

The Real Park Ridge and Cooney Funeral Home charity wine dinner at Harp & Fiddle Dec. 18

The Real Park Ridge magazine and Cooney Funeral Home are teaming up to sponsor the latest monthly charity wine dinner at Harp & Fiddle on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. All four courses (think chorizo and shrimp-stuffed calamari and prime New York braciole, etc.) from the talented team at Harp & Fiddle will be paired with a wine selection from Justin Vineyards & Winery.

Proceeds benefit The Harbour, whose mission is to provide emergency housing and services to youth and young mothers experiencing homelessness to promote their safety, stability and personal growth. Call (847)-720-4466 to reserve your seats.

Howard Street Inn

Deals around town

If you’re looking for some of the best deals around, check out the Howard Street Inn in Niles. Every day of the week they have a special that’s hard to fathom, including $3 24-ounce domestic drafts, $4 premium drafts and $4.25 Bloody Marys on Sundays, $5 glasses of wine and $1 off all drafts on Tuesdays, and $3 martinis and 80-cent wings on Thursdays, just to name a few.

Firewater Saloon in Edison Park boasts one of the better happy hours in the area. From 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can get $3 domestic bottles, $4 call drinks, $2 slider and half-price select appetizers. On Sundays for NFL, they also have $15 select domestic buckets, $5 seltzers and a $10 Bears game day buffet.

For every $100 you spend on gift cards in December at the stellar Zia’s Social in Norwood Park, you’ll get a free $25 gift card to give away (or keep for yourself). And as another bonus, all of the Underpass Restaurant Group gift cards are available to use at all their locations (including Cafe Touché in Edison Park and the Beacon Tap in Des Plaines) and do not expire. 6158 N. Northwest Highway in Norwood Park. ZiasSocial.com

This holiday season, give the kids in your life the gift of swimming at Goldfish Swim School. They’ll be unwrapping more than just the usual present. They’ll be unwrapping life lessons mixed with smiles, progress and confidence. They’ll be unwrapping memories and fun too, all in a safe and clean environment. Most importantly, they’ll be unwrapping the gift of water safety. Save hundreds on a trio of packages that include consecutive weekly lessons, family swim passes, waived membership fees, merchandise and more. Goldfish Swim School is located at 678 N Northwest Highway in Park Ridge. (248) 585-3891. GoldfishSwimSchool.com/park-ridge