Weekend picks: It's time to light the lights
FRIDAY
Symphony in Lights
See 250,000 colorful LED lights that are part of the annual Symphony in Lights holiday show at The Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. The show is accompanied by recorded music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Free. (630) 296-8340 or shoppingpromenade.com. Show runs on the hour, from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly, through Wednesday, Dec. 31
Dancing snow
Time is running out to catch the Joffrey Ballet's beloved take on the Tchaikovsky ballet "The Nutcracker" at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $33-$134. (800) 775-2000 or joffrey.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 26 and 27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28
Wrestle time
See wrestlers like Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Rusev, Cesaro and more when WWE Live Holiday Tour throws it down at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$100. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26
Chicago house
Groove out with Chicago-based J2K and Autobot as Flosstradamus brings the Hydnation Tour home to the Aragon Entertainment Center, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $30. (312) 833-9331 or aragon.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26
Latin laughs
Catch Mexican-American comedian Steve TreviƱo and his "Tex-Mex" style of humor this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28
Stand-up man
Comedy Central regular Jared Logan ("The Half Hour," "John Oliver's New York Stand-up") plays a weekend engagement starting Friday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22, plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27
Rocking at H.O.M.E.
The bands Stache, Your Villain My Hero and According to Sarah team up for an evening of pop and rock at H.O.M.E. Bar (House of Music and Entertainment), at 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $7. Visit homebarchicago.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26
SATURDAY
Choo, choo!
Hundreds of model train dealers will sell their wares at The Great Train Show, a national traveling show that caters to model railroad enthusiasts this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $8 (good for both days). (847) 680-7200 or greattrainexpo.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27-28
(Post) Christmas spectacle
Rock out to holiday music with plenty of concert spectacle when the Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $39-$72. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27
Rock standards
See the Wisconsin-native rock band the BoDeans at two locations this weekend: first at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, $39-$89, (888) 695-0888 or oshows.com; then with guest singer Taylor Hicks at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, $23-$53, (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, in St. Charles; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, in Waukegan
Eight is enough?
See eight comics do standup for eight minutes each as they compete for $188 at the Crazy 8's Standup Contest at the Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $10. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27
SUNDAY
B-ball ambassadors
Bring the kids to be amazed at the comic basketball athleticism of the Harlem Globetrotters. The team plays four games today and Monday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $22-$170. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. Noon and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28; 2 and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29