With the holidays upon us, a number of restaurants are hosting holiday dinners and special events in the weeks ahead. Here are a few to consider:

Santa sightings

A luxury Brunch with Santa at Shiraz on the Water, Hilton Indian Lakes Resort; 250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale, (630) 671-5007 or www. indianlakesresort.com; Sundays, Dec. 4, 11, 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $27.95 adults, $13.95 children 5-12, free for children 4 and under. Executive Chef Carol Buckantz prepares traditional breakfast items with an omelet and waffle station, lunch specials, carving station, side dishes, desserts including a chocolate fountain and a knee-high kids’ buffet.

Breakfast with Santa: From Sunday, Dec. 4 through Dec. 18, enjoy breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. at Seasons of Long Grove, 314 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Be sure to bring a camera to record the kids’ visit with the Jolly Old Elf. Cost is: adults 13.95, children (2-12), 9.95. Call (847) 634-9150 or see seasonsoflonggrove.com.

Or do Lunch with Santa, at The Village Tavern, 135 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. Call (847) 634-3117 or see villagetavernoflonggrove.com.

And from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, Santa visits Long Grove Café 235 Robert Parker Coffin Road,

Long Grove. For details, call (847) 955-9600 or email contact@longgrovecafe.com

Taste of Christmas past

Two seatings of the Dickens Dinner take place at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Seasons of Long Grove, 314 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. A traditional Victorian Buffet will include the Seasons’ specially crafted holiday pies, cakes and other treats. Live music provided by local Christmas Carolers. The cost is, for adults, $27.95, for children (2-12), $13.95. Reservations required. Call (847) 634-9150 or see seasonsoflonggrove.com.

Kosher buffet

Hanukkah dinner at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe

Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m.

The evening includes entertainment from the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band at 7 p.m., and a visit to the Wonderland Express. (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.

A kosher buffet dinner includes entree selections of roast salmon fillets with capers and chervil; slow-roasted beef brisket with pan gravy; and a salad of winter greens, sun-dried cranberries, roasted pear and candied walnuts with honey-poppy seed dressing. Children’s selections include batter-dipped chicken fingers with honey mustard and barbecue dipping sauces; pasta with marinara sauce; fresh vegetables with dill-mustard and hummus dips; and fresh seasonal fruit. Desserts include holiday cookies, rugelach, bars and treats. A cash bar is available with beer, wine and soft drinks.

Cost is $43 for adults, $37 for children (3-12), free for ages 2 and under. Garden members pay $38 for adults, $32 for children (3-12). Parking is $20 per car, free for Garden members.

Open Christmas Eve:

The Lucky Monk, 105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington, (847) 898-0500, www.theluckymonk.com; Open Dec. 24 but closed Dec. 25. Guests can enjoy winter cocktails like the MINTer Wonderland with Three Olives Chocolate Vodka, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur and Green Creme de Menthe; the Oatmeal Cookie Martini with Three Olives Vanilla Vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Butterscotch Schnapps, Malibu and Cinnamon Schnapps; and the Nutty Monk, made with Frangelico, Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, topped with fresh brewed coffee and whipped cream. Cocktails are $8 to $10 each.

Quince at the Homestead, 1625 Hinman, Evanston; (847) 268-4389 or www.quincerestaurant.net hosts a Christmas Carolers Event on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Open Dec. 24 until 8 p.m. but closed Dec. 25. New Year’s Eve prix-fix, four course menu, $70.

Seasons 52, across from The Streets of Woodfield, 1770 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. A seasonal winter menu through December features eclectic American favorites. The restaurant is open Dec. 24 but closed Dec. 25.

More information at (847) 517-5252 or www.seasons52.com/schaumburg.

Tuscany Restaurant, 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, for Italian specialties and pizza baked in a wood-burning oven. Open Dec. 24 but closed Christmas Day. Information at (847) 465-9988 or see www.tuscanychicago.com/tuscany-wheeling.

For A Happy New Year

Family New Year’s Eve at Go Roma — Countdown with the Kids, Dec. 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

With locations in Bolingbrook, Deer Park, Lincolnshire, Northbrook, Warrenville and downtown Chicago, Go Roma is planning to ring in the New Year family style. The New Year event is $15 per adult and $5 for children 12 and under. Dinner comes from a hearty all-you-can-eat Italian buffet of starters, salads, pastas, pizzas, Italian classics and dessert followed by a countdown to 2012 at 7:59 p.m. with a sparkling wine (or cider) toast. Go Roma will give each child a goodie bag that includes party hats, noisemakers, and a special Go Roma gift certificate to use in 2012. Reservations are required. For more information, visit www.goroma.net

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Agio Italian Bistro, 64 South Northwest Hwy., Palatine. The evening includes a five-course menu, live entertainment, party favors, champagne toast and more. Call (847) 991-2150 ore see www.agiobistro.com.

Chevy Chase Country Club New Year’s Eve Ball, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, takes place at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. $79 per person. Revelers ring in the New Year with a four-station dinner including Chef-carved Sirloin of Beef, Chicken Wellington, salad, pasta and international pastries. Master of Ceremonies Bob Urbon of Ballroom Chicago will host as guests dance the night away to live music of the Dick Elliott Orchestra. There’s a celebratory champagne toast as the clock strikes midnight. Cost is $79 per person. Reservations at (847) 465-2300 or www.chevychasecountryclub.com.