Area residents have a great selection of holiday activities to choose from in the next several weeks. Here’s a listing of some options to put on your calendar. This week will feature Villa Park.

The Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Joyful Traditions from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Park Avenue along the Prairie Path. There will be a tasting tent featuring food from local restaurants, a S’mores station, trolley and horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, pictures with Santa and holiday caroling by the Willowbrook High School Show Choir. This is a free event.

The following events are all offered by Villa Park Recreation and will be held at the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa Ave., unless another location is listed. Call (630) 834-8970 with any questions.

Journey to the North Pole, Sunday, Dec. 7

Board a holiday trolley for a festive ride to the North Pole where you will be greeted by Mrs. Claus and Holiday Elves. While waiting for your turn to see Santa, enjoy sweet treats and festive activities. The North Pole photographer will capture the event for your family. Trolley rides leave the Iowa Community Center every 45 minutes starting at 4 p.m. The cost is $15 per person. Registration is due by Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Letters from Santa

Santa will write a personalized letter to your child. Complete a form about your child’s special likes, and the letter will be written using this information. The deadline to submit a form is Friday, Dec. 5, and the letters will be mailed by Friday, Dec. 19. The cost is $1 per letter.

Holiday Safety for your Pets, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10

Your child will learn the dos and don’ts for you family pet during this festive time of year with Dr. Nicole DiGiacomo from the DuPage Animal Hospital. The minimum age is 7 and the class costs $10.

Create Your Own Gingerbread House, 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11

You will receive all the supplies to make your own festive gingerbread house. Parents are encouraged to assist children. The minimum age is 6 and the cost is $9.

Ornament Making, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18

Stop in and make an amazing ornament you’ll be proud to wrap and give as a gift. You’ll use a variety of art mediums to create your ornament, which you can wrap at a gift wrap table. This will be held at the Children’s Art Studio, 217 S. Villa Ave.

Parents Drop and Shop, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

Here’s a great way to get your last-minute shopping done. Drop your kids off and they will enjoy a holiday movie and make a special gift for you. Snacks will be provided. The minimum age is 5 and the cost is $6 per child.

Candy Cane Hunt, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20

Enjoy a candy cane morning. After making a holiday craft, you’ll go outside for a candy cane hunt. The minimum age is 4 and the cost is $6.

The Villa Park Public Library has several special activities planned as well. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, you can warm up for Joyful Traditions by watching the movie “The Polar Express.” Also, after enjoying Joyful Traditions you can watch the funny and heartwarming movie “Elf.” Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Sign up the kids for Tree Trimming Treasures at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. During this special holiday craft and story program, the kids will make an ornament for the library’s tree and make one for home, too.

Christmas Stories with The Double Deckers will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Jim and Karen Decker, well-known local storytellers, will share amusing interactive Christmas stories for families to enjoy.

A Holiday Greeting Card Workshop will be offered from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16. Kids will make a beautiful card for someone special. Younger children will need some adult help.

Call the library at (630) 834-1176 with any questions. All the library programs are free.