By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Barrington Dance Ensemble’s 30th anniversary production of The Nutcracker opens tonight
Barrington Dance Ensemble’s “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Barrington High School, 616 Main St., Barrington. Guest artists from National and Chicago regional dance companies, including the Milwaukee Ballet and Giordano Dance Chicago, perform lead soloist roles and are joined by more than 100 performers from the Northwest suburbs. $25-$38. (847) 382-6333 or barringtondance.org.
Luminaria Walk: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 2, at Veteran Acres, 431 N. Walkup, Crystal Lake. Stroll along the lit trail through Veteran Acres. On Saturday, there will be campfires, hot cocoa, cookies, Candy Cane Forest and Mrs. Claus. $1 per person or $5 per family donation. crystallakeparks.org/special-events
Hawthorn Woods Hometown Holiday: 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Santa arrives at 4:15 p.m. Visits with Santa, photo opportunities, and cookies and cocoa from 4:30-6 p.m. Lighting of the community tree at 6:30 p.m. and caroling from 6:15-6:45 p.m. Free. vhw.org/223/Hometown-Holiday.Fox River Grove Tree Lighting Community Celebration: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in the Metra parking lot, 315 Northwest Hwy., Fox River Grove. facebook.com/frgliving.

Santa waves at kids during the Dickens in Dundee Spirit of Christmas parade. This year’s Dickens in Dundee takes place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, in East and West Dundee. – Paul Valade | Staff Photographer, 2021
Dickens in Dundee: 5:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in East and West Dundee. Tree-lighting ceremonies and Santa arrives at 5:45 p.m. Friday at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee, and at 7 p.m. at West Dundee Village Hall, 102 S. Second. Dundee-Crown Chamber and Varsity Treble Choirs perform at both ceremonies. In East Dundee on Friday, “The Christmas Schooner” cast performances; visits with Santa from 6-9 p.m.; and Living Windows along River and Main streets from 6:30-8 p.m. In West Dundee on Friday, visits with Santa and Living Windows between First and Second streets and along Main Street from 6-8 p.m. On Saturday in West Dundee, Dickens of a Christmas sale; “A Christmas Carol Revisited: Scrooges Reclamation” at 11 a.m.; reading of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at 1:30 p.m. Annual Riverside Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. Saturday through West Dundee, Carpentersville and East Dundee. dickensindundee.org/
Greater Elgin “Messiah” Singalong: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Annual event featuring performers and musicians from Elgin Symphony Orchestras, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Master Chorale, Judson University students, Larkin High Concert Choir, Midwest Opera Theater and area choruses. Music score will be provided at the door. $7; free for kids 12 and younger. Register at elginsing-alongmessiah.org.
North Pole Holiday Spectacular: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, and 1 and 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Musical show with performances by Expressions Dance Company, games with prizes, cookie decorating and visits with Santa. Registration required. $12. parkfun.com.
Palatine Concert Band Holiday Concert: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St. Palatine. The Palatine Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Frederick Lowe, performs traditional and contemporary works. $3-$9. palatineparks.org.
Winter Circus Spectacular: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2; and 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Performers, athletes and animals from around the world perform together. $11-$48. (847) 649-2270 or nowarena.com.
Saturday, Dec. 2

Barrington has many holiday activities planned today
Holiday Visit with Santa: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Visits with Santa, cookies and refreshments, family photos and more. Free. barringtonswhitehouse.com/event/holiday-visits-with-santa.
Barrington Holiday Fest and Tree Lighting Ceremony: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Park Avenue and Cook Street, Barrington. Hot chocolate, family activities, a performance by the Barrington High School Madrigals at 4:45 p.m. and the tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Santa will arrive on his firetruck following the ceremony and take photos outside of the Santa Hut on Park Avenue until 6 p.m. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/holiday-fest.
“The Bells of Christmas”: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington Hills. Chicago Bronze Handbell Ensemble performs sacred, secular, classical, jazz and old favorites. The church’s Exaltation Handbell Choir performs a Christmas composition. chicagobronze.org.
Winter Express Story Time: 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Arlington Heights Train Station in downtown Arlington Heights. Take a magical train ride, hear the “Polar Express” story and visit with Santa. All riders must be registered and children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $25-$35. Register at ahpd.org/events/winter-express-story-time.
Breakfast with Santa at Chevy Chase: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 2, at Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Buffet breakfast, meet with Santa and take photos with him. Adults: $29.95; kids 4-13: $16.95; free for kids 3 and younger. Reservations required. wheelingparkdistrict.com.
Christ Lutheran Church Christmas Fair: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Christ Lutheran Church, 41 S. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. Handmade crafts for Christmas and beyond, including ornaments, accessories and Grandma’s Attic, plus homemade baked items and food gifts. Free entry. clcpalatine.org.
Let It Snow planetarium shows: 10 a.m. and noon Saturday, Dec. 2, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Festive full-dome video images choreographed to classic Christmas music by Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and a finale by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. $12. mchenry.edu/events/index.html.
Santa House Visits: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 3 p.m. Sundays and 6-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays 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.
Algonquin Miracle on Main: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, on Main Street, Algonquin. Annual event includes live holiday performances, ice-sculpting displays, hot chocolate and more. Free. algonquin.org/recreation.
Holiday in the Hollow: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in Sabatino Park, 1 Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. Music by Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, Circle-of-Cheer Christmas trees, Santa visits, and lighting of the trees and flagpole. Free. sleepyhollowil.org.
Winterville in the Park: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, Triangle Park, 39 E. Main St., Carpentersville. Meet Santa, and enjoy hot cocoa and doughnuts while supplies last. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Second annual Riverside Parade of Lights starts at 6:30 p.m. in West Dundee, travels to Carpentersville at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in East Dundee at 7 p.m. cville.org.
Wauconda Holiday Lights Parade and Tree Lighting: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Wauconda Park District, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda. Holiday parade and tree lighting. Free. waucondachamber.org.
Riverside Parade of Lights: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Second annual event by the Villages of East Dundee, West Dundee, and Carpentersville and Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce. Parade steps off in West Dundee on South Lincoln Avenue, just south of North Sixth Street, travels north to and across the Main Street bridge in Carpentersville, then south on Washington/Water Street to East Dundee, ending at Railroad Street. nkcchamber.com.
Cor Corps Horn Ensemble Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at McHenry County College Leucht Auditorium, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Local horn players perform a variety of classical and popular music. Free. mchenry.edu/events.
“Glow — Celebrating Songs of the Season”: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in First Congregational Church sanctuary, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Nothing But Treble performs music ranging from German and English Renaissance to contemporary settings of ancient texts, from folk music to “Glow” by Eric Whitacre, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and holiday favorites. Suggested donation $15 or $5 for kids. nbtchorus.com.
Lisa Rock’s “A Carpenters Christmas”: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at ECC Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Singer Lisa Rock and her six-piece backing band perform holiday music of The Carpenters. $42. eccartscenter.org/events/centerstage.
Sunday, Dec. 3
ESO Holiday Brass and Percussion: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 Ela St., Barrington. Festive holiday music featuring ESO Brass and Percussion sections, with conductor Chad Goodman. Free. RSVPs welcome at elginsymphony.org.
Santa’s Flight to Schaumburg: 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Schaumburg Regional Airport, 905 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg. Santa’s flying, via helicopter, to Schaumburg. Wait for Santa in the airport’s hangar. Includes a buffet breakfast, holiday music and crafts. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. $20-$25; free for kids 2 and younger, but must be registered. parkfun.com.
Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival: 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, along Main Street and Jandus Road, Cary. Parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Main Street. Caroling by Caring Hearts & Voices, horse-drawn sleigh rides, pony rides and petting zoo. From 2-3:30 p.m., visits with Santa or the Holiday Grouch and cookie decorating. Free. carygrovechamber.com.
“The Bells of Christmas”: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Chicago Bronze Handbell Ensemble performs sacred, secular, classical, jazz and more. chicagobronze.org.
Voices Unlimited Chorus’ “Let the Season Begin”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Immanuel Lutheran Church sanctuary, 310 E. Main St., East Dundee. Led by founder and director David Barth, the debut concert features popular Christmas and holiday choral songs. $10; $5 for kids younger than 12. Tickets: Email davidabarth@comcast.net or (630) 707-1221. Also available at the door.
Northwest Symphony Orchestra “Messiah” Sing-A-Long: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Join members of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra in the performance of “Part 1 Messiah” and concluding “Hallelujah Chorus.” Free; freewill offering appreciated. northwestsymphony.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 5
Just For Kids Holiday Shop: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 5-6, at Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Children can do one-stop holiday shopping with a holiday helper. Gifts will range from $3 to $8 and will be wrapped. bgparks.org/just-for-kids-holiday-shop.
Thursday, Dec. 7
One of a Kind Holiday Show: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 7-9, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at The MART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. More than 500 artists, makers and designers will be selling accessories, bath and body, ceramics, fashion, fiber art, furniture, glass, gourmet, holiday, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paintings, pet products, photography, sculpture and wood. oneofakindshowchicago.com.
Find many more events here.
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