Arts & Entertainment
Holiday Guide: A Winter Wonderland at Cuneo Mansion
Enjoy spectacular lights, theatre, art, tours and Santa Claus at the historic estate this holiday season.
Once again, Loyola University Chicago’s Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., opens its doors to the community this holiday season.
In addition to the estate’s annual light show Cuneo will present a performance of the classic The Velveteen Rabbit, an exhibition of crèches from around the world, and host its second annual Open House with Santa on December 14.
The always popular Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show at Cuneo returns from November 23 through December 31, inviting the community to take a drive-through tour of the estate’s 97 acres decorated in brightly lit holiday figures. The show runs from 6–10 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
Find out what's happening in Vernon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Visitors can enhance their experience by tuning into the local radio station 107.1 FM for a dual music and visual experience.
Cuneo will also host a staged adaption of the family classic The Velveteen Rabbit. This Kirk Players’ rendition of the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams is filled with enchantment, song, and audience participation.
Find out what's happening in Vernon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Velveteen Rabbit will premiere at Cuneo on December 1, with performances scheduled throughout the month of December.
On December 14, from 6:30–9 p.m., the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens invites the local community to its second annual Open House with Santa.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy self-guided tours of the mansion, a craft station and coloring contest for children, a homemade wreath contest, a visit with Santa Claus and his elves in the Great Hall, a raffle drawing, cookies and hot chocolate, beer/wine for purchase, and more.
“We are so pleased to share another holiday season with the public,” said Kevin Ginty, general manager at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens. “It is one of our favorite times of the year, and we are thrilled to host the Open House with Santa for a second year. It brings such joy!”
Adding to the holiday spirit this year will be 15 unique crèches from around the world, which will be displayed throughout the Cuneo Mansion from November 1 through December 31, 2012.
These crèches are on loan from the Loyola University Museum of Art’s (LUMA) annual holiday exhibition, Art and Faith of the Crèche: The Collection of James and Emilia Govan.
The full exhibition will be shown at LUMA, located at 820 N. Michigan Avenue on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus, from November 20, 2012 through January 13, 2013.
-Information provided by Cuneo Mansion and Gardens
