From after-hour events at beloved Chicago institutions to raunchy holiday theater productions, here are some adult-focused events to get into the holiday spirit.

Holiday light shows captivate people of all ages for the simplest of reasons: They make the season bright.

WTTW News visited the 18th Street railyard to see the behind-the-scenes work involved in transforming Metra trains for the holiday season. This year will mark Metra’s fifth year of holiday train rides.

The Clark family of Kane County has donated its nearly 50-foot-tall Norway spruce to Chicago for the city’s holiday display in the hopes it will bring “joy and wonder to millions."

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has announced its annual search for the city’s official Christmas tree, which will be the centerpiece of holiday celebrations in Millennium Park.

Across the United States, many Americans are celebrating their country’s 250th birthday by closing their ears to all the partisan shouting. Instead, in varied ways, they are tuning into their own personal concepts of America the Beautiful.

Kwanzaa has become a nationally recognized celebration of African culture and community in the United States since its founding in 1966 and also is celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations.

Chicago is once again hosting collection sites for real trees at 27 locations around the city, Jan. 3-17.

The Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace are encouraging residents to celebrate responsibly and take advantage of the free late-night transit services to get around on New Year’s Eve.

From light shows to plays, sing-alongs and festive pop-ups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs.

A baby Jesus lays in a manger in the snow, wrapped in a silver emergency blanket with his wrists zip-tied. Mary stands nearby outside the Lake Street Church in Evanston, wearing a plastic gas mask and flanked by Roman soldiers in tactical vests labeled “ICE.”

After strictly limiting visitors, city officials said they are working with the Christkindlmarket's organizers to allow more people to enjoy the experience, safely.

Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, many will open early the following day, Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year.

The beloved holiday tradition will return starting next week and run through late December, the Chicago Transit Authority announced.

One of the hottest tickets this holiday season is passage on the Chicagoland Bookstore Trolley, spreading cheer one hardcover and paperback at a time.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place Nov. 21 in Millennium Park.