Holidays of Light | Chicago

The Museum of Science and Industry hosts Holidays of Lights now through Jan. 6. Ring in the holiday season with a journey through more than 50 decorated trees and displays, each adorned according to holiday customs from around the world. The trees are decorated by volunteers from Chicago's ethnic communities to reflect holiday traditions from around the globe. This year, a new tree from Kenya joins the museum's forest.

FYI: Visit http://www.msichicago.org.

Extended hours | Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago will have extended hours during the holiday season. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 27 (free from 5 to 8 p.m.), 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 26 and 28, and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days. The wreathing of the lions is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 23 on the Michigan Avenue steps. After the ceremony, families are invited to create their own special wreaths inspired by the exhibition "Jasper Johns: Gray."

FYI: Visit www.artic.edu.

Plant Portraits | Chicago

Plant Portraits: The California Legacy of A.R. Valentien will showcase 35 of Valentien's watercolor paintings, which portray California's flower population. The exhibit will run now through Jan. 7, 2008. General admission to The Field Museum is $12 for adults, $7 for children 4 to 11, seniors and students get in free with ID. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

FYI: Call (312) 922-9410 or visit www.fieldmuseum.org.

Shedd Aquarium | Chicago

John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, offers the world's largest indoor aquarium with more than 8,000 freshwater and marine animals. The Oceanarium shows marine life of the Pacific Northwest region - home to whales, dolphins, sea otters and more.

FYI: Call (312) 986-2302 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.