
Jane Lynch, center, Kate Flannery and Tim Davis return to the Raue Center for “A Swingin’ Little Christmas.” (Courtesy of The Raue Center)
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Ongoing
Long Grove Vintage Days: Through Dec. 23 in downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Carriage rides Fridays through Sundays; holiday caroling; merchant open houses and promotions; and Santa visits from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 9-10. Free. longgrove.org/festival/holiday-season.
Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select days through Jan. 7 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take an after-dark stroll through an array of illuminated displays from new installments to favorites like the Winter Cathedral. In advance: $30-$34 for adults, $17-$19 for kids 3-12; day of: $33-$37 for adults, $19-$21 for kids 3-12. Some dates are sold out. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.
Santa’s Village Drive-Thru Holiday Attraction: 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5-9 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23 at Santa’s Village, 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. Drive through over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music and lights displays. Meet-and-greet Santa Claus at the end. Funnel cakes and hot chocolate for purchase. $35 per vehicle; $25 for season pass holders. Reservations required. SantasVillageDundee.com.
Santa House Visits: 6-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23 at Williams and Brink streets, Crystal Lake. Bring your camera for a visit with Santa in his Santa House. Free. downtowncl.org.
Friday, Dec. 8
Christmas Vocal Jazz with Cheryl Wilson: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Jazz vocalist Cheryl Wilson performs holiday music. $30. barringtonswhitehouse.com.
Frozen Flurry Fest: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Lake in the Hills Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills. Take a self-guided walk through a snow and ice walkway inspired by “Frozen” with lights, character encounters and a visit with Santa. Free for preregistered residents or $2 for nonresidents; at the gate: $2-$4. lith.org/Home/Components/News/News/1253/16.
Elgin Symphony’s Yuletide concert: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Seasonal music led by conductor Chad Goodman. $55-$65. elginsymphony.org.

Shop for gifts at the Antique Vintage Flea Market and Holiday Market this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Daily Herald File Photo
Saturday, Dec. 9
Antique Vintage Flea Market and Holiday Market: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Antiques, vintage estate jewelry, clothing, collectibles, furniture, decor, old toys, advertising, coins and more. Admission: $8, good for both days; free for kids 12 and younger with an adult. Free parking. zurkopromotions.com.
Fremd Viking Booster Club Holiday Craft Fair: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at William Fremd High School, 1000 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Art and craft vendors in a variety of media, concessions and more. fremdboosterclub.org/craft-fair.
Santa Paws: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 9, at Clayson House Museum & Library, 224 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Snap a photo of your pooch with Santa. $15-$20. Register for a time slot at palatineparks.org.
Winter Fest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Family photo opportunities, iceless skating, s’mores making, Festival of Fun, Gingerbread House Making contest (preregistration required), sled dogs, carnival games and more. Free entry. heparks.org.
Winter Frostival: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Visit with the Ice Princess, Ice Queen and Santa Claus, plus cookies, cocoa, carolers, story time and more. Free. ahpd.org.
Christmas in the Valley: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Experience an 1880s holiday with traditional treats, kids’ crafts, marshmallows and warm beverages around a bonfire and a visit from Father Christmas. Park at St. Matthew Parish and follow the signs to Spring Valley. $3 per person; $12 per family. Register at parkfun.com.

Music Director Chad Goodman and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will present “Holiday Spectacular” that also features the Elgin Master Chorale and Integrity School of Dance on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, at the Hemmens in Elgin. (Courtesy of Donna Lake)
Elgin Symphony’s Holiday Spectacular: 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Elgin Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Chad Goodman, is joined by Integrity School of Dance and Elgin Master Chorale. $20-$65; free for kids 17 and younger with a paid adult. elginsymphony.org.
Boston Brass, “Christmas Bells are Swingin'”: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. Christmas concert with the All-Star Brass Big Band. $40. ravinia.org.
Let It Snow planetarium shows: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Festive full-dome video images choreographed to classic Christmas music. $12. mchenry.edu/events/index.html
The Christmas Star planetarium show: 7-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and learn about common modern-day misconceptions. $12. mchenry.edu/events/index.html.
Jane Lynch’s “A Swingin’ Little Christmas”: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. A twist on the Christmas specials of the 1950s and ’60s with Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and The Tony Guerrero Quintet. $50-$70. rauecenter.org.
Sunday, Dec. 10
Artisans Market Winter Arts & Crafts Fair: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Wild Onion Brewery and Banquets, 22221 N. Pepper Road, Lake Barrington. Handmade works of local juried artists, crafters, bakers and chefs. Free. artisan-markets.com.
Monday, Dec. 11
Schaumburg Youth String Ensemble Winter Concert: 7 p.m. Monday Dec. 11, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Tickets: $9 adults, $5 for kids 18 and younger in advance; $11 adults, $7 for kids 18 and younger at the door. prairiecenter.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Holiday Trolley Express: 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 13-14, at Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. The trolley tours past houses decorated for the season, plus hear a story from one of Santa’s helpers, sing Christmas carols, visit with Santa, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. $15-$17. Register at phparks.org.
On Stage
“The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 7 and 8, and 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet follows courageous young Clara on her journey through an enchanted land of dancing snowflakes to the court of the Sugar Plum Fairy. $26-$38. prairiecenter.org.
“The Day Before Christmas”: 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 8, and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. It’s the day before Christmas and all the usual characters have been busy at the North Pole getting ready for the big day. That is, until Jack Frost decides to throw in a little chaos and calamity. Proceeds benefit Susannah’s Gift, a cultural arts scholarship fund. $12. cuttinghall.org.
“The Nutcracker Ballet” 2023: 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 8 and 15; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 10 and 17, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Judith Svalander School of Ballet transforms the Opera House stage into a realm of fantasy. $20-$45. woodstockoperahouse.com.
Dining with Santa
Breakfast with Santa at Poplar Creek: 8:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Adults: $23.95; kids 4-12: $14.95; free for kids 3 and younger. Reservations are required. (847) 781-3658 or heparks.org.
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