On the road: Spend a night at 'Nutcracker'
Chicago
Save the last dance
JW Marriott Chicago partners with the Joffrey Ballet for a holiday experience with "A Night at the Nutcracker" package perfect for those who want to take in the holiday sights in the city. Arrive to welcome cookies before settling into elegant overnight accommodations, in-room hot chocolate nightcap (spiked for adults), in-room breakfast for two the next day, two VIP tickets to "The Nutcracker," a Nutcracker "swag bag" and a signed photo of a dancer.
Available through Dec. 28 at the JW Marriott Chicago, 151 W. Adams St., Chicago. Package rates start at $429 when you use rate code ZJL. (312) 660-8200 or marriott.com.
Safety dance
Wired Fridays presents electronic dance music and local but nationally renowned DJs in a free midday dance party located in the Chicago Cultural Center. The series takes place on the first and third Friday of each month and highlights original Chicago House music along with various other Electronic Dance Music (EDM) genres. Friday, Dec. 19, will feature Wayne Williams, a producer of one of the world's largest house events, the Chosen Few House Music Picnic.
Noon to 1 p.m. the first and third Fridays of the month at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. For information and a full schedule, visit cityofchicago.org/dcase.
Come dancing
Forget an expensive gym membership as your New Year's resolution. Join the Global Dance Party on Friday nights at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The night begins with a dance lesson, followed by live world music to practice your new moves. Learn Cajun dance and follow it up with a live concert with the Pine Leaf Boys, or get down with some Merengue, cha-cha or salsa as you dance to the tropical sounds of Carpacho y su Combo.
8:30 p.m. Jan. 9-March 27 at the Myron R. Szold Music & Dance Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. All dance parties are $10, except Pine Leaf Boys (Jan. 23) concert is $22. (773) 728-6000 or oldtownschool.org.
Midwest
Let there be light
Garden volunteers and horticulture staff have transformed the 20-acre Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin, into a seasonal escape of twinkling lights and family-friendly fun. The Holiday Light Show boasts 350,000 lights (25,000 more than last year), 100 beautifully decorated trees, new animated displays, more than 2,000 luminaries and more. More than a botanical showcase, the event features hot chocolate, an impressive 200-foot electric model train display, hand-sewn quilts, photos with Santa, local musicians and holiday shopping in the Cottage Garden Gallery
4:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19-23 and 26-28 at the Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, Wisconsin. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 3-15. (608) 752-3885 or rotary botanicalgardens.org.
It plays in Peoria
The East Peoria Festival of Lights marks its 30th year of holiday cheer, and it's always showing up on lists of best holiday lights in the Midwest. Walk through the Enchanted Forest that includes the festival's 35-foot-tall Christmas tree, real lighted trees, trees with decorations by students, a 30-foot inflatable snowman and the Terry the Tractor parade float. There's also a narrated nativity display.
Runs through Dec. 31 at the Levee District downtown area outside of the East Peoria Civic Plaza, 401 W. Washington St., East Peoria, Illinois. Free admission. (800) 365-3743 or cityofeastpeoria.com.
Worth The Trip
During Winterfest, Sevierville, Tennessee, and the Great Smoky Mountains dazzle with massive light displays up and down Smoky Mountain Parkway from fanciful penguins and snowmen to delightfully depicted mountain scenes. Be sure to visit Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium, the world's largest drive-through, fully synchronized LED light and music show. Then, relax in a serene cabin at a tucked-away resort like Hidden Mountain Resort. Sevierville, hometown of Dolly Parton, offers nearly 200 stores, including more than 100 high-end name-brand outlets, and fantastic country cooking at local favorites such as Tony Gore's Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill and The Diner.
Runs through Feb. 28. For information and cabin accommodations, call the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at (888) 738-4378) or go to Visit Sevierville.com.