Holiday festivities abound at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens
Loyola University Chicago’s Cuneo Mansion and Gardens opens its doors with fun, art, and entertainment for all this holiday season.
In addition to the estate’s annual Holiday Light Show, starting Friday, Nov. 25, Cuneo will present a performance of the classic Velveteen Rabbit, followed by its first Holiday Open House Dec. 16, among other activities.
From Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, visitors are invited to take a drive-through tour of the estate decorated in brightly-lit holiday figures, including animals, elves, Santa Claus and more. The show is 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Cuneo will also host a staged adaptation of the family classic “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Scott Davidson. This Kirk Players’s rendition of the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams will be filled with enchantment, song and audience participation. “The Velveteen Rabbit” will premiere at Cuneo Dec. 3, with performances scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 4, 10 and 11.
Cuneo hosts its first Holiday Open House from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16, held in conjunction with the Holiday Light Show. Community members are encouraged to attend and enjoy the holiday festivities and learn more about the mansion and estate.
“The open house will have visits with Santa Claus in the Great Hall, hot chocolate, cookies, Christmas carolers, craft stations for children, tours of the mansion, door prizes, beer and wine for purchase, and much more,” said Kevin Ginty, Cuneo general manager.
“Admission to the open house is $5 per person, in addition to the $10 Light Show entrance fee.”
Adding to the holiday spirit, 15 to 20 international crèches 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,” will be displayed throughout the mansion Nov. 26 to Dec. 31.
The full exhibition will be shown at LUMA, 820 N. Michigan Ave., on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus, Nov. 19 to Jan. 15, 2012. Visit www.cuneomansion.org.The Cuneo Mansion and Gardens will also contribute to the Toys for Tots fundraiser throughout the holiday season, and visitors to the estate are encouraged bring any canned goods or unwrapped gifts for donation throughout the months of November and December.
In December 2009, the Cuneo Foundation, the family foundation of John Cuneo Jr. and his wife, Herta, donated the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens and its nearly 100 surrounding acres, an extensive collection of art and furnishings, and an in-kind distribution of funds to Loyola University Chicago, establishing the estate under Loyola#146;s ownership.