Come see the Festival of Trees at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore, Nov. 29 to Dec. 29.

Nov. 28-29

Ellwood House Holiday Tours
1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Ellwood House Museum, 509 N. First St., DeKalb
$10 adults, $5 for children 6-17, free for museum members and children younger than 6

One-hour guided tours through three floors and basement level of the elegantly decorated 1879 mansion will be given. The holiday tours give visitors the opportunity to see the mansion in a new light. All tours start in the Visitor Center.

Nov. 29

Culinary Health: Breakfast on the Run
6:30 p.m.
DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb
Free, but registration requested

Breakfast and lunch are important. Yet, many times these meals are skipped or provided by the fast food lane during the busy work week. Simple tips, techniques and recipes will be demonstrated to help participants tote their breakfast and lunch, saving money and increasing wellness. Also, the workshop will include information about on how to relax, live healthy and de-stress during the holiday season. This session will be provided by the Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Community Wellness program. To register, send an email to samanthah@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568 ext. 1701.

Nov. 29-Dec. 9

“A Christmas Carol Chaos”
7:30 p.m. except 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 9
Stage Coach, 126 S. 5^th St., DeKalb
$13-$15

The Royal Shakespeare Company hasn’t arrived as promised to perform its stirring rendition of “A Christmas Carol.” So an intrepid band of hapless actors and technicians must put together its own production in only seven hours. The play is a backstage comedy that pokes fun at the classic novel and everything that can go wrong with a theatrical production. Visit stagecoachers.com to purchase tickets.

Nov. 29-Dec. 29

Festival of Trees
Regular museum hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays
Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore
Free with museum admission: $8 adults, $7 senior citizens, $5 children 11 and younger

More than 20 trees will be on display, decorated by businesses and non-profit groups. The public can vote for their favorite tree by making a donation in jars in the lobby. All proceeds will benefit the museum. The top three trees receive awards and participants are invited to the museum’s holiday party.

Nov. 30-Dec. 1

Soup ’n’ Bread Shopping Stop
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Genoa Guest House, 231 S. Sycamore St., Genoa
Free, except for purchase of food

The Genoa-Kingston Holiday Craft Walk will offer two days of shopping, and homemade soup, freshly baked bread, desserts and hot cocoa. A cup of soup and slice of bread and dessert costs $8.

Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Holiday Open House
6-9 p.m. Nov. 30
1-5 p.m. Dec. 1 and Dec. 2
Ellwood House Museum, 509 N. First St., DeKalb
$10 adults, $5 for children 6-17, free for museum members and children younger than 6

The 1879 mansion decorated for Christmas will provide the festive spirit for the Ellwood House open house. For more information, call 815-756-4609.

Dec. 1-2

A Sandwich Christmas
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 1
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 2
Sandwich Fairgrounds and other locations
Free

Enjoy two days of Christmas activities. The Festival of Trees will show off trees decorated by local businesses and non-profit organizations. The Kris Kringle Craft and Home Business fair will sell gift items. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in Veterans Park. A living Nativity will be presented at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2465 W. Sandwich Road. Carolers will perform, s’mores will be served and Santa Claus will visit. The Christmas Trolley will take the public on tours of decorated homes of Sandwich.

Dec. 2

21^st Annual Holiday Choral Concert
3 p.m.
Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, NIU Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb
$10 adults, $5 senior citizens and students, free for children 5 and under

The Concert Choir and the All-University Chorus will perform for the holidays. For tickets and more information, visit niu.edu.

Dec. 6

Exploring Holiday Traditions
Noon
DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Freight Room, 475 Dekalb Ave., Sycamore
Free

Speaker Michelle Donahue will speak at the DeKalb County History Center’s last Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore lecture for the year. Her topic will be holiday traditions of past centuries.

–DeKalb County Calendar of Events Nov. 28 – Dec. 6–