Recap of Chicago's best holiday events (through January 9)

If you have family or friends coming from out of town for the holidays or are looking for things to do with the children in your life while they’re on school break, there is plenty going on around the city to keep everyone entertained.  Here’s a recap of some of Chicago’s best holiday events that I’ve written about over the past month (they are arranged according to ending date):

Welcome Yule! at Symphony Center through December 23

Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza through December 24

Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker through December 26

Free days at Chicago museums through December 31

A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theater through December 31

2010 Holiday Theater Guide

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier through January 2

Wonderland Express at Chicago Botanic Garden through January 2

Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo through January 2

Holiday Flower Shows at Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory through January 9

Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights at the Museum of Science and Industry through January 9

Ice skating at Millennium Park through March 13

Finally, for the procrastinators among you, if you still need to find your live tree, consider making it a family or friend event by cutting down your own tree at one of Illinois’ tree farms.