Best bets: Donny & Marie share Christmas cheer at Allstate
Top pick
A lotta Christmas
Brother-sister stars Donny & Marie Osmond drew sold-out crowds two years ago for their run of Broadway holiday shows at Chicago's Oriental Theatre. If you couldn't see them last time, then don't miss their one-night-only return in theDonny & Marie Christmas Tour at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49.50-$125.(800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
This weekend
Bell ringer
Actress Karolyn Grimes, Zuzu in “It's a Wonderful Life,” returns to sign autographs before special screenings of the classic 1940s Frank Capra holiday film at two locations: Hollywood Blvd. Cinema, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge, and at the Hollywood Palms, 352 S. Route 59, Naperville. $6-$8. (630) 427-1880 or atriptothemovies.com. 4, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in Woodridge; noon, 3, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in Naperville
Watercolor realism
Meet with watercolor artistTony Armendariz when he appears at the opening of his latest exhibit of realist island works at La Citadelle Gallery, The Arboretum, Unit H-30, Route 59 and Higgins Road, South Barrington. Free admission. (224) 622-9578 or shopthearb.com. 5 to 8 p.m. opening Friday, Dec. 20; exhibit runs through Sunday, March 23
Home for the holiday
Comedian and actor Lenny Schmidt (“True Blood,” “The Inbetweeners”) counts himself as a graduate of Bolingbrook High School. Schmidt returns home for the holidays for an extended run through Saturday, Dec. 28, at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two-item menu purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 and 27; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 and 28; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26
Classic Nutcracker
Chicago-area residents with fond memories of “The Nutcracker” at the Arie Crown Theater can see that version again when Ruth Page Civic Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $22-$30; $21-$29 seniors; $12-$15 students and kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
Country Christmas
Country star Kenny Rogers will perform his Christmas & Hits Through The Years tour withspecial guest Linda DavisSaturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $70-$85. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Four-part holidays
Hear holiday music sung with sophisticated four-part harmony when The Manhattan Transfer Swings Christmas is performed Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $38-$68. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Plan ahead
Countdown central
Food, party favors, bands like 7th Heaven and Covergurl and more are all part of Own the Night: NYE 2013 on New Year's Eve at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. $89 per person (price increases closer to the event). ownthenightnye2013-PR13.eventbrite.com. 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
Zydeco guys
Revel in the music of Louisiana when Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies performs Thursday, Jan. 23, at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $30-$50; $24-$31 seniors; $12-$15 students and kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23