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Sunday picks: Chug around with the Enchanted Railroad

Enchanted Railroad

See two levels of a large model train display chugging through a winter scene at the 12th annual Enchanted Railroad at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Admission is free with paid $9-$12 general admission to the arboretum. Children ages 1 and younger are free. Visit mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 (final day of exhibit)

'Monumental'

Learn about the science and engineering behind many famous Greek and Mayan architectural monuments at the new “Monumental” traveling exhibit at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. Guests can build mini monuments, wear costumes and try out props from various eras in Greek and Mayan history, create digital paintings and more. Admission is $10-$11. (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrens.org. noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Winter WonderFest

Celebrate winter while spinning on a giant hot cocoa cup ride or bouncing inside a 38-foot-tall snowman at the annual Winter WonderFest celebration at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Other fest highlights include an indoor ice skating rink, the Arctic Plunge inflatable slide and the Winter WonderFest Jr. section for children. General admission is free; there is a charge for various activities and rides. Visit winterwonderfest.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Chicago WinterDance

Dancers of all ages and abilities are invited to hit the dance floor at the annual Chicago Winter Dance program, in the Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Professional instructors will guide participants; then open dancing follows. Free. Visit cityofchicago.org. noon on Sunday, Jan. 5 (open dancing from 1 to 3 p.m.)

Dollops of doo-wop

Before the hit Broadway show “Motown The Musical” comes to Chicago, get a head start on the famed record company's history by attending Jose Sandoval'spresentation “The Spirit of Motown” today at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Free admission, but registration required. (224) 543-1485 or vapld.info. 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Arlington Artists

The artwork of local artists is showcased in the “Arlington Artists on Display” exhibit at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Admission is free; donations are accepted. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday through Sunday, Jan. 26

Fundraising recital

Support students by supporting their teachers at a fundraising Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Faculty Concert Sunday at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Free, but donations appreciated. (800) 622-0300 or tickets.elgin.edu or eyso.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Happy birthday, Carl!

Celebrate the 136th birthday of the late poet, historian and children's book author Carl Sandburg at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. The party features performances by folk singer and historian Becky Halker, birthday cake and a tour of the museum's current “Carl Sandburg in Elmhurst” exhibit (running through April 20). Free. Call (630) 833-1457 or visit elmhursthistory.org. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra

The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra rings in 2014 with a benefit concert in the Spartan Auditorium at the Performing Arts Center at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Concert is free; donations to the EYSO scholarship fund are welcome. Tickets must be reserved in advance by calling (847) 622-0300. Visit eyso.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Early music

Second City Musick performs intimate chamber music written between the 16th to 18th century today at the Morton Arboretum's Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $29. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Waltz right in

There's still time to celebrate the arrival of 2014 with the return of the orchestral and danced Salute to Vienna concert Saturday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $39-$105. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5

Funny lady

If you've loved seeing comedian Lynne Koplitz on TV for Comedy Central specials and CBS' “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson,” then don't miss her in person when she does her standup routine starting Thursday 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, Jan. 5

'Standing' comic

Comedian April Macie, a famed finalist of “Last Comic Standing” and a frequent guest on “The Howard Stern Show,” performs this weekend at two Zanies locations: MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $22 plus a two-item menu purchase. Then at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027. $25 plus a two-item menu purchase. Visit zanies.com. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, in Chicago

Comedian Lynne Koplitz will perform at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.
Poet Carl Sandburg circa 1922.
Comedian April Macie performs this weekend at Zanies in Rosemont and Chicago.
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