Sunday picks: Catch Ruth Page's 'Nutcracker' at CLC
Chicago's Christkindlmarket
Visit the 18th Annual Christkindlmarket, an outdoor German-American holiday market in Daley Plaza, between Washington, Clark and Dearborn streets in Chicago. Guests can sample German fare and find unique items made in Germany, such as handblown holiday ornaments, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers and more. Don't miss the music and visits with Santa Claus. Free. (312) 494-2175 or christkindlmarket.com. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 22-23; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24
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. 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
Holiday cookie walk
If you haven't had the time to whip up a batch or two of holiday cookies, head to the 18th Annual Prairie Crossing Cookie Walk and Bake Sale at the Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Visitors can buy thousands of homemade holiday cookies, along with stocking stuffers and gifts from local artists and businesses. Cookie bakers can take part in a baking contest. Children can make holiday cards and decorate cookies. Free general admission. All proceeds go to local charities. For information, call Elizabeth at (847) 269-8533. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
Pageantry and gadgetry
The Nutcracker? A Christmas Carol? For something completely different in winter theatrical offerings, consider Redmoon Theater's 15th annual Winter Pageant that's equal parts gadgetry, acrobatics, ephemera and spectacle at Redmoon Theater, 2120 S. Jefferson St., Chicago. Large-scale sets, puppets, hip-hop dance, live music and machinery snag the attention of children and adults as the show evokes themes of community, bravery and hope. Collaborators include the hip-hop dancers of The Happiness Club of Chicago, Kalapriya Dance, Indonesian Dance of Illinois, Pineapple Dance Studio, Mexican clown artist Fernando Córdova Hernández, aerialist Helena Reynolds and surf-rock band The San Andreas Fault. Also, there will be free treats courtesy of Eli's Cheesecake. Single tickets cost $25 for adults, $15 for kids 3-18, $10 for college students with IDs, and free for kids younger than 3. (312) 850-8440, ext. 123, or redmoon.org. 1:30 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
Family & football
Bring the kids and watch football on a big screen when the Arcada Theatre opens up for a Chicago Bears Game & Family Christmas Event today at 105 Main St., St. Charles. No admission charge, though space is limited. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
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. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
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. daily through Sunday, March 23
Dean's list
Comic and character actor Dean Edwards (“Saturday Night Live,” “Spiderman 3”) returns for another standup engagement at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17 plus a two-menu item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22