7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19
Children’s Holiday Operetta
A rarely heard operetta that’s a cross between Hansel and Gretel and The Nutcracker is being presented this weekend at Percy Julian Middle School. It’s a new translation of Franz Lehar’s Peter and Paul in the Land of Nod, presented by Chicago Folks Operetta, and Oak Park-based theater group. $10, at www.chicagofolksoperetta.org and the door. Two other shows at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19
Rock’n’Roll Christmas
Paul McKenna, owner of the Starship Restaurant in Forest Park and president of the board of Village Players, rounds up his favorite rockers and takes the stage himself for a holiday show with lots of guitar. One night only. $20-$25 at www.village-players.org, 866-764-1010. Village Players Performing Arts Center, 1010 W. Madison, Oak Park.

9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Free tours of a Wright Christmas – for kids, by kids
Every half hour from 9 to 11 a.m., there will be a free tour of decorations in the Frank Lloyd Wright Home, with particular emphasis on the playroom. Guides for this series of tours will be specially trained fifth to 10th graders. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home is at 951 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park. For other details, go to www.gowright.org or call 848-1976. Children 8 and younger will need to be with an adult.

11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Gingerbread storytime
Enjoy a reading of Hansel and Gretel by Cynthia Rylant while decorating gingerbread houses. Sign up at www.fppl.org or call 366-7171. At Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd.

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Free bubbly and bonbons
An afternoon of sipping champagne and nibbling fancy chocolate in Forest Park as HouseRed hosts a Pleasures of the Gods tasting. The wine shop pairs its varieties of champagne with treats from Madison Street neighbor La Maison de Bonbon. No charge. 7403 W. Madison, Forest Park. 771-7733

4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Harmonica for the holidays
A church concert written, directed and produced by River Forest resident Joel Raney features holiday music performed by harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy. With influences of jazz, pop, rock and world music, this will be an uncommon seasonal show. $18-25; www.rfpres.org, 366-5836, ext. 444. First Presbyterian Church, 7551 Quick Ave., River Forest.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Holiday concert to benefit Austin kids
The OPRF Children’s Chorus, OPRF High School Clarinet Quartet and the Oriana Singers are presenting Sing We Joyous, a Christmas concert that’s part of a silent auction and raffle to benefit the Cluster Tutoring Program, which places tutors with kids in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. $15-$20; $50 for families. First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St.

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Aunt Lola Cabana’s slice of Christmas
As his alter ego, a star from the national tour of Hairspray hosts We Need A Little Christmas, a holiday revue spiked with showtunes. Dale Calandra’s guests include Chicago jazz singer Denny Englemen and four favorites from Village Players’ The Full Monty. $20-$25 at www.village-players.org, 866-764-1010. In the Mainstage Theater at 1010 W. Madison, Oak Park.

10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 21
Gingerbread decorating workshop
Helpers as young as 4 are welcome in a holiday Cook with Your Kids class. Gingerbread houses are assembled; you get decorating supplies and coaching. $37 a person. Flavour Cooking School. 7401 W. Madison, Forest Park. www.flavourcookingschool.com, 488-0808

Starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21
First night of Hanukkah celebration
Eight nights of candle lighting at West Suburban Temple Har Zion in River Forest start, amid holiday song, at 5 p.m. Half an hour later, it’s time for latkes.  All along, as of 4 p.m., there will be crafts for kids and dreidel spinning. $5, $20 a family; no charge for kids 5 and younger. 1040 N. Harlem, River Forest. 366-9000, cserber@wsthz.org

1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21
Ornament workshop
Artist Joanna Vargas will show crafters of all ages how to make Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and ornaments using gingerbread and baked glass. Free. Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. www.oakparkarms.com, 386-4040

7 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21
Live jazz on Pleasant Street
 Pianist Kara Kesselring at Philander’s restaurant. The Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant, Oak Park. 848-5000