Bah, humbug? Or jingle all the way?

HAVE YOURSELF TONS OF MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Nutcracker and Sugar Plum Holiday Tea
Indulge in the holiday ballet, with a twist—or is it a turn? The Hyde Park School of Dance puts on the classic with a record cast of 145 students. After the matinee on Sunday, the dance school is hosting a Sugar Plum Holiday Tea Party ($35, kids $20) where aspiring prima ballerinas can meet Clara, the Mouse King and the sweet Fairy herself. Sat 11 at 2, 7pm; Sun 12 at 2pm at Mandel Hall, 1131 E 57th St (773-702-8068). $17, students and seniors $7, kids under 5 free. For the ballet and/or tea tickets, go to hydeparkdance.org or call 773-493-8498. Free parking available at 55th St and Ellis Ave.

Victorian Christmas Tour
Although you probably don’t associate the modern Mr. Wright with Victorianism, the two did overlap. Discover the history and take in a 12-foot Christmas tree, period holiday decorations, free hot cocoa, Froebel blocks for kids to play with and tours of the Home and Studio by Junior Interpreters—specially trained school kids who will give you the architectural scoop. Sat 11, 9–11am at Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave, Oak Park (708-848-1976). Free.

St. Lucia Day Celebration
Among Sweden’s popular Christmas traditions is the St. Lucia celebration and procession. Watch as the Swedish American Museum re-creates it, with angelic young girls in white robes and crowns of (lit!) candles beginning a procession down Clark Street at 4:45pm. A similar morning procession from Daley Plaza starts at 11:30am, but we think it’s cooler to watch this one at dusk. Mon 13 at the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N Clark St (773-728-8111). Free.

Home for the Holidays
We don’t necessarily call Oak Park home, but that doesn’t stop us from adding this super-seasonal fest to our list of holiday to-do’s. Hearkening to the holidays of yesteryear, it’s all about Victorian carolers, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice sculpture demos and a visit from Old St. Nick. Dec 18, 10am–3pm in downtown Oak Park (Marion St at North Blvd); see downtownoakpark.net. Free.

Caroling at Cloud Gate
Unless Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye themselves were tap-dancing smack on top of the Bean, it just can’t get more Christmassy than this carol gathering (with complimentary hot cocoa!) at the sculpture . Fridays at 6pm through Dec 17 at Millennium Park, Michigan Ave between Monroe and Randolph Sts. Free.

Build Your Own Gingerbread House Workshop
Figure out why Hansel and Gretel forsook safety for sweets as you and the gang make works of gingerbread art, eating your way through gumdrop eaves, cookie walls and frosted roofs at this workshop in the museum’s Millennium Park Room. Call for reservations. 10:30am–4pm weekends through Dec 19 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave (312-443-3600, artic.edu/aic). $35 per family of four, $5 per additional person.

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NOT A SHRED OF TINSEL IN SIGHT

Mad Hatter Tea at Atwood Café
Opt out of the holiday madness on State Street in favor of an Alice in Wonderland–themed tea complete with finger sandwiches, “eat me” cranberry scones, “drink me” chocolate cups and Queen of Hearts sugar cookies. Be warned: There is a tree up in the restaurant, but you can request a table out of eye shot if you want. 2–3:30pm daily (except Dec 24–25) through Dec 31 at Atwood Café (1 W Washington St, 312-368-1900); $25, kids $18. Reservations necessary.

Polar Adventure Days
Celebrate the start of winter at the park district’s annual ode to the cold. Check out ice sculptures, get up close and personal with Iditarod huskies and wild animals (including birds of prey), and take advantage of free snowshoe rental if there’s enough white stuff on the ground. If you’re one of the first 500 people to arrive, you’ll get a free Polar Adventure day mug filled with hot cocoa. Sat 11, noon–4pm at Northerly Island (1400 S Linn White Dr, 312-724-7529). Free.

Chicago Sports Fest
Mayor Daley’s annual fitness-focused event is a few weeks earlier than usual this year, but you can still expect all the usual fun. Test out a bevy of different sports in the “interactive zones,” including rock climbing, skateboarding and fishing, plus bike safety lectures, hip-hop yoga and meet-and-greets with Negro League All-Star players. Dec 18 and 19, 10am–4pm at McCormick Place (2301 S Lake Shore Dr, 312-791-7000). Free.

Winter Solstice Festival
The days get longer from here on out—woo-wee! Mark the occasion with walks along lit nature trails, live music and arts and crafts. 6–9pm on Dec 18 at North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N Pulaski Rd, 312-744-5472). Free.

Wicked and The Wizard of Oz
Treat the kids to musical renditions of what happens pre- and post-Dorothy’s visit to the Emerald City. Wicked plays through Jan 23 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W Randolph St, 312-384-1502). $35–$105; Wizard of Oz runs through Jan 2 at the Apollo Theater (2540 N Lincoln Ave, 773-935-6100). $16, kids $13.