Sunday picks: Get a kick out of the Rockettes
High kicking
“The Radio City Christmas Spectacular — Starring the Rockettes” features new special effects, new scenes and five new dance numbers by The Rockettes at the Akoo Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets cost $47.70-$102.55. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com or ticketmaster.com. Noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
'Sing-Along With Santa!'
Join in the “Sing-Along With Santa!” program, an interactive musical presentation for children and families, at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $15 adults; $10 children. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
'The Velveteen Rabbit'
The Kirk Players present a staged adaptation of “The Velveteen Rabbit,” a play based on the classic book by Margery Cook, in the Great Hall at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. The story looks at a stuffed velveteen rabbit who dreams of becoming a real animal. Bring a Toys for Tots gift and receive a free mug of hot chocolate. Admission is $5 for children ages 12 and younger; $7 adults. For information, call (847) 362-3042 or (847) 521-6192 or visit kirkplayers.org or luc.edu/cuneo. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Meet Jolly Old St. Nick
Youngsters can meet with Santa Claus and tell him about their holiday wishes at the Naperville Santa House, at the Naperville Riverwalk, Jackson Avenue and Webster Street. Free. There is a charge for those wanting to purchase official photos taken with Santa. (630) 548-5000. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Pastry Polar Express
A pastry version of the Polar Express pulled into the station at the Artisan Table in the Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 Naper Blvd. Pastry chef Erica Tomei created a 12-foot-by-8-foot gingerbread display of a Christmas town with buildings, carolers and the Polar Express. Stop in and grab a dessert for $6. (630) 505-4900 or chicagomarriottnaperville.com. Now through Monday, Dec. 24
Some more?
Stage adaptations of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” are rife this time of year, but Light Opera Works bucks the trend by presenting “Oliver,” Lionel Bart's hit 1960s musical adaptation of the Dickens novel “Oliver Twist.” Catch it starting this weekend at Northwestern University's Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $32-$92 regular run. (847) 920-5360 or lightoperaworks.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy
Catch a world premiere adaptation by Ann Noble of Louisa May Alcott's “Little Women,” playing through Dec. 30 at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Tickets cost $32.50-$37.50. (847) 735-8554 or citadeltheatre.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Holiday classics
If you've never seen “Miracle on 34th Street” or “White Christmas” on the big screen, then you're in luck. The Arcada Theatre Christmas Classic series starts with the Natalie Wood classic at 3 p.m. and continues with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney lighting up the screen at 7 p.m. Admission is $5, and the hot chocolate is free! The theater is at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Nutcrackers aplenty
The season is winding down for area presentations of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet “The Nutcracker.” Here are a few key remaining productions:
Ÿ The Berkshire Ballet Theatre brings its take on “The Nutcracker” to the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $22. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Ÿ Illinois Youth Dance Theatre's “The Nutcracker” features more than 70 performers at Lake Zurich High School, 300 Church St., Lake Zurich. $10-$25. ballroomanddance.com/iydt-productions.html. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Zoo lights
See thousands of twinkling lights and holiday scenes at Brookfield Zoo's annual Holiday Magic lights festival. Event highlights include laser shows, music and dance performances, ice-carving demonstrations and other family activities. Activities are free (with the exception of rides and photo opportunities) with paid $10.50-$15 general zoo admission. Parking is $10 per car. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, and Wednesday through Monday, Dec. 26-31
'Symphony in Lights'
More than 250,000 lights, along with music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, are showcased at the Promenade Bolingbrook's annual Symphony in Lights holiday light show, The Promenade is at 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com. Begins at dusk nightly and runs every hour on the hour until 9 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 31
Night light
Drive through 97 acres of holiday lights and holiday scenes at “A Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show” at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. $10 per car. (847) 362-3042 or cuneomansion.org. 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Hairbanger's Ball
The band Hairbanger's Ball belts out songs from the 1980s to the present Sunday at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23