Weekend picks: Festival of Lights, college hoops and 'Wonderful Life'

Festival of Lights

The Cosley Zoo in Wheaton greets the holiday season with its annual Festival of Lights, which includes holiday light displays (starting at 3 p.m. daily) and a chance for kids to meet Santa Claus and make a holiday ornament at Santa's Craft Corner (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 and 10). And, don't forget to visit the animals at the zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Free admission; $3 donation for the craft activities. (630) 665-5534 or cosleyzoo.org. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from Friday, Nov. 25, to Friday, Dec. 30

‘Seussical the Musical'

The world of Dr. Seuss books come to life in “Seussical the Musical,” the 2000 Broadway musical adaptation of several Seuss tales, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $15. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com. 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, and 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

Miniature wows

Marvel at amazing miniature trains and models of Chicago-area landmarks at the Wonderland Express, opening today at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $10; $8 kids. $20 parking per vehicle. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 1

College B-ball

If you've been suffering basketball withdrawal from the breakdown in negotiations by NBA owners and players, then don't miss The Sixth Annual Chicago Invitational Challenge. College teams like University of Wisconsin, Bradley University and more play this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $32-$52; $12 kids. $62-$92 adult tournament; $22 youth tournament. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. Noon Friday, Nov. 25, and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26

‘Shrek' is back

If you missed seeing your favorite animated green ogre singing and dancing in Chicago last year, then head out to Rosemont this weekend for a return engagement of the big DreamWorks family show “Shrek the Musical” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $22.50-$87.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 10 a.m., 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

Cuneo's Winter Wonderland

Be dazzled as you drive through 97 acres of colorful holiday lights and holiday scenes during the Cuneo Museum and Garden's annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show that begins Friday at 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. The show costs $5 per car Monday through Thursday and $10 per car Friday through Sunday. Visit cuneomansion.org or vernonhills.org. Opens at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, and runs from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31

Libertyville welcomes the holidays

Watch the tree-lighting ceremony, hear choral performances and meet Santa Claus at the Libertyville Holiday Walk, in downtown Libertyville. Various downtown stores will offer special treats and a preview of holiday decorations. Visit mainstreetlibertyville.org. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25

Come for ‘Christmas Carol' ...

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre debuts a new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by resident playwright Scott Woldman, with music arrangements by Micky York. See it at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets cost $28.50 for adults and $15.50 for kids. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

... And stay for Second City

The Second City celebrates the season, suburban-style, with “Holiday in the Heights,” an adults-only revue skewering last-minute shopping, boozy office parties and burned cookies at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets cost $29.50; $34.50 for stage tables. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26

Family-friendly ‘Carol'

A breakfast buffet with Santa accompanies select performances of Drury Lane Theatre for Young Adult's family-friendly production of “A Christmas Carol,” which opens Friday at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $12. (630) 530-0111 or drurylaneoakbrook.com. Noon Friday, Nov. 25, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; brunch available Saturday

‘Wonderful Life' radio play returns

Fox Valley Repertory reprises last year's production of “It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” adapted from Frank Capra's 1946 film. Director Rachel Rockwell and music director Tom Clear return, along with stars George Keating and Anna Hammonds. Experience it at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29.50-$39.50. (630) 443-0438 or foxvalleyrep.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

Greg Trafidlo

Virginia-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Greg Trafidlo, a native of Downers Grove, returns to his hometown to perform an evening of folk, bluegrass and country music at the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Bass player Dean Milano also will perform. $7. (630) 969-9720 or twowaystreet.org. 8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25

Christmas crafts

The annual Christmas Craft Show features art, handmade floral creations, plush items and more from 300 crafters from throughout the area. Get a start on holiday shopping at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake, this weekend. Admission is $3. (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

Chalet's Family Holiday Celebration

The Chalet Nursery and Garden Center welcomes the holiday season with its Family Holiday Celebration. Guests are invited to meet Santa's reindeer in person and have free s'mores, hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Kids won't want to miss the balloon artist and face painters. The event, at 3132 Lake St., Wilmette, also offers free educational sessions about sprucing up your home for the holidays. Free admission. Call (847) 256-0561 or visit ChaletNursery.com. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-27

Nutcracker of the week

Salt Creek Ballet kicks off the holiday season with a touring revival of Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas-time ballet “The Nutcracker.” Salt Creek's production featuring a cast of more that 120 performers starts this weekend at Hinsdale Central Auditorium, 5500 S. Grant St., Hinsdale. $15-$31. (630) 769-1199 or saltcreekballet.org. 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26 and 27, in Hinsdale; Also Saturday, Dec. 3, in Aurora; Saturday, Dec. 10, in University Park; and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18, in Skokie

‘Remembering Marshall Field's'

Author and historian Leslie Goddard discusses and signs copies of her book “Remembering Marshall Field's” at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243 or centuriesandsleuths.com. 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26

What goes up ...

The Flying Karamazov Brothers tour back to town with their hit juggling and comedy show #8220;4-Play#8221; this Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $28.50-$38.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26

Peggy gets Hip

Catch the nine-piece RB, soul and funk band Hip Pocket at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, and get in on some hip drinks as well. Daily drink specials this month include $2.75 Miller Lite drafts, $5 YES Vodka cosmos, $5 YES Vodka appletini, $5 Tullamore Dew and Ginger Ale, $5 Tullamore Dew shots and $4 Lemon Drop shots. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com. Saturday, Nov. 26

A world of dance

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project's #8220;Global Rhythms#8221; offers audiences a chance to experience world dance from troupes like The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater and Step Afrika! this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $15-$55. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

#8216;The Lettermen Holiday Show'

Hear a mix of traditional Christmas favorites and hits by The Letterman in #8220;The Lettermen Holiday Show#8221; at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $34-$44. First and second-row tickets cost $59-$69. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

Griffin @ 23

Griffin Theatre begins its 23rd season in a big way. The company snagged the rights to the Tony Award-winning #8220;Spring Awakening,#8221; Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's musical inspired by German writer Franz Wedekind's 19th-century play about a group of students' sexual awakening. Jonathan Berry directs and Alison Kane serves as music director. See it at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $28-$38. (773) 975-8150 or griffintheatre.com. Previews begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27; the show opens Dec. 4