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Celebs bringing carols to the suburbs early

Christmas begins Saturday for five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and musician Michael McDonald.

The former Doobie Brother - known for his husky baritone and hits like "What a Fool Believes" - begins touring on Saturday, Nov. 29, with his holiday show, "This Christmas: An Evening of Holiday & Hits." The concert will bring him to Waukegan's Genesee Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 14.

"We love being a part of the holiday season," McDonald, 62, said of his band.

"It gives us a chance to get out and play some of the Christmas music we've recorded over the years. I love to play live. It's one of the greatest joys, to get up on that stage. There's no better fun."

Part of the show is devoted to holiday tunes; the rest features some of McDonald's biggest hits from his years with the legendary Doobie Brothers and his solo career.

The concert includes McDonald's self-proclaimed holiday favorite, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

McDonald, who has recorded several Christmas albums, said he hopes people will take in his show and leave the theater feeling a bit more of the holiday spirit.

McDonald is offering special VIP meet-and-greet tickets for his Genesee Theatre concert. Proceeds will benefit the WhyHunger Artists Against Hunger & Poverty Program.

"The holidays are a time to practice good will to your neighbor," he said. "It's a time to contemplate being together with family - and we all find our 'families,' no matter what our situation in life."

McDonald plans to celebrate Christmas at home with his family, after his tour ends on Monday, Dec. 22.

And his holiday wishes this season?

"I'm hoping that in 2015, there will be more peace around the world," he said.

Here is a look at other holiday concerts coming to local stages this season:

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Lee Murdock with the 23rd Annual Christmas Ship Concert: </span>7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 29, Maple Street Chapel, at Main and Maple streets, Lombard, Murdock performs holiday songs from the sailor's perspective with his new band Blue Horizon. $20. (630) 627-0171 or mapletreetchapel.org.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">The 93XRT Big Holiday Concert, starring St. Vincent, with Future Islands: </span>7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $40. thechicagotheatre.com or ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">The 93XRT Big Holiday Concert, starring Counting Crows:</span> 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49.50-$79.50. thechicagotheatre.com or ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">The Nelsons and Cowsills Christmas with guests The Cadillac Casanovas: </span>8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. oshows.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Celtic Tenors Christmas: </span>8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $32-$45. northshorecenter.org.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Gavin Coyle: </span>8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $30. atthemac.org.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">B96 Jingle Bash: </span>5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Featured performers include Ariana Grande, Pharrell, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lil Jon and others. $55-$150. ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Rockin' The Holidays with Felix Cavaliere's Rascals: </span>7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $26-$66. (847) 263-6300, (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Johnny Mathis:</span> 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $65-$95. ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Ronnie Spector Best Christmas Ever: </span>5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$79. oshows.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Lisa Rock with "A Carpenters Christmas": </span>7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $28-$35. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Gary Hoey "Ho Ho Hoey": </span>7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Arcada Theatre 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$49. oshows.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Clint Black's Christmas Show: </span>8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $60-$70. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2014:</span> 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. thechicagotheatre.com or ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Jim Peterik and The Ides of March Christmas Show: </span>8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$49. oshows.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Michael McDonald with "This Christmas: An Evening of Holiday and Hits": </span>7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $37.50-$97.50. For VIP meet-and-greet tickets, with proceeds benefiting the WhyHunger charitable organization, visit whyhunger.org. (847) 263-6300, (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Trans Infinity Orchestra: </span>5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$59. oshows.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Leann Rimes: One Christmas: </span>7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$125. oshows.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Charlene Books with "Highly Seasoned" concert: </span>Saturday, Dec. 20, Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $25. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: </span>8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39-$95. ticketmaster.com.

<span class="x BTO fact box text bold">Trans Siberian Orchestra: </span>3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $39-$72. ticketmaster.com.

Country superstar Clint Black performs his holiday show at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage. Courtesy of Clint Black
Legendary performer Johnny Mathis headlines in Rosemont. File photo by Omar Vega/Invision
Leann Rimes stars in “One Christmas” at the Arcada Theatre. Courtesy of the Arcada Theatre
Dave Koz brings his “Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2014” to The Chicago Theatre. Photo courtesy of Bryan Sheffield
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas comes to the Rosemont Theatre. Courtesy of RED music
See “Celtic Tenors Christmas” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Photo courtesy of Barry McCall
Gavin Coyle headlines at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of the McAninch Arts Center
The Trans Infinity Orchestra takes to the stage at the Arcada Theatre. Courtesy of the Arcada Theatre
Michael McDonald Courtesy of the Genesee Theatre
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