Sunday picks: Lift your voice at 'Sing-Along Messiah'

Sing 'Hallelujah'

A truly audience-interactive holiday event is the “Sing-Along Messiah,” which also features the forces of operatic soloists with the choirs Voices in Harmony and McHenry County College Choir under the direction of conductor Steven Szalaj. Sing along at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $15-$18. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Doggie December

Which breed of dog fits best with your lifestyle? Find out at the Skokie Valley Kennel Club Dog Show, Events and Expo this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $5; $2 kids 12 and younger (no strollers allowed). (847) 692-2222 or skokievalleykc.org. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Lots of Legos

The Northern Illinois Lego Train Club displays a wide variety of Lego creations at the annual Lego Holiday Show at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission with paid $5 parking fee. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Brunch of lights

Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights during the day with the Hanukkah Klezmer Brunch Buffet featuring the band Balkano at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $30 general admission with buffet; $10 music only. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Santa at Pinstripes

See Santa and fill your belly all in one stop Sunday at Pinstripes, which has locations in South Barrington, Oak Brook and Northbrook. The buffet includes gourmet waffles, made-to-order omelets, carved prime rib, smoked salmon, bagels, fresh shrimp, flatbreads, a salad bar and a kids corner. Plus, don't miss the full dessert bar with a chocolate fountain, homemade marshmallows, cheesecake, brownies and fresh fruit. $20 per person for adults; $12 for kids 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger eat for free. Reservations recommended. Visit pinstripes.com. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Wines and spice

It's the spiciest wine and food pairing yet — wine with Indian cuisine. The special Sunday buffet lunch at Urban Tandoor Indian Grill, 3972 Route 22, Long Grove, includes two appetizers, five entrees and two desserts paired with wine. Sommelier Mary Ross, the Daily Herald's Good Wine columnist, will provide commentary on wine and world cuisine. $40 per person. Reservations required. Call (847) 438-6700 or visit urbantandoor.com. Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Aliano's game day

When the Bears take the field, fans can take to Aliano's Ristorante, 90 N. Island Ave., Batavia, for game-day specials that include $2 domestic bottles and $4 select import bottles. Buy a pizza and get a second one for half off. Raffles every quarter include payouts of Bears gear and Aliano's gift certificates. (630) 406-9400 or alianosbatavia.com. Sunday, Dec. 9

Candlelight Open House

Step back in time to the holidays of the 1800s at the Candlelight Open House at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Fragrant evergreens, a roaring fire on the hearth and an old-fashioned Christmas tree help re-create the spirit of holidays of long ago. Guests can tour the museum and have some sweet treats. Admission is $3 adults; $1 for children. No reservations required. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org. 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

'Do-It-Yourself-Messiah'

The Fox Valley Philharmonic Orchestra invited the public to join in with its “Do-It-Yourself Messiah” program, featuring Handel's classic 1742 oratorio about the life of Jesus Christ. The program takes place at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 W. Downer Place, Aurora. Free, but donations appreciated. Note: Participants can bring their own music or purchase a copy of “Messiah” at the door for $10. (630) 879-5936. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Illinois Brass Band

The Illinois Brass Band presents holiday selections during its “A Christmas Fantasy” concert at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach. $5-$10. (847) 201-9032 or llinoisbrassband.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Nutcracker of the week

The late choreographer Ruth Page's 1965 take on “The Nutcracker” is back again under the newly renamed Ruth Page Civic Ballet. See it this weekend at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $32; $20 kids. See ruthpagecivicballet.com or call (847) 622-0300. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Twist-a-Carol

Elgin's Vex Theatre presents the third, all new installment of its annual “Twist-a-Carol” holiday show at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. Titled “All About Eve” and inspired by the classic Joseph L. Mankiewicz film starring Bette Davis as an aging Broadway diva and Anne Baxter as the upstart who schemes to supplant her, the show centers on Christmas Eve who is in danger of being usurped by New Year's Eve. $10. (847) 991-8081 or vextheatre.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

The Lira Ensemble

The Lira Ensemble presents a program of Polish carols, songs and dances at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $35-$55. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

It's 'Magic'

See thousands of twinkling lights and holiday scenes during Brookfield Zoo's annual “Holiday Magic” light show. Don't miss the laser shows, musical and dance performances, ice-carving demonstrations, a special 6:30 p.m. dolphin show and more. Activities are included (with the exception of the dolphin show, rides and photo opportunities) with paid $10.50-$15 zoo admission. Parking is $10 per car. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org/events. 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Light up your life

Enjoy Chicago's holiday lights and sights by trolley. Hop on a trolley and you'll be able to visit the Magnificent Mile, State Street and Macy's holiday windows, lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Daley Plaza's 40-foot tree and the Christkindlmarket. The Chicago Trolley Holiday Lights Tour also visits the John Hancock Plaza tree, Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest and Buckingham Fountain during the narrated two-hour tour. Passengers have time to hop off at Lincoln Park Zoo and Christkindlmarket. Tour departs from the John Hancock Building at Michigan Avenue and Delaware Street. Tickets cost $26 for adults and $19 for children (3-11) and must be purchased in advance online at chicagotrolley.com. 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23 and daily Dec. 26-31

Celtic Woman celebrates the season

Celtic Woman joins with the Frank Caruso Orchestra for “A Christmas Celebration: The Symphony Tour” at Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Tickets cost $80-$95. (630) 637-7469. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Counter programming

Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company counters the holiday fare dominating city and suburban stages this month with a revival of Tennessee Williams' “The Glass Menagerie,” about a family unable to face reality, who take comfort instead in dreams and illusions. Ensemble member Hans Fleischmann directs the production, which features an original score by Daniel Knox, at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago.$25. (773) 871-0442 or maryarrchie.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Arena rocker

Former “American Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry will bring his band (simply called “Daughtry”) and his angsty brand of arena-ready rock to the Akoo Theatre at Rosemont, 5400 N. River Road. Also on the bill are 3 Doors Down and P.O.D. Tickets start at $38. See ticketmaster.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9