On the cheap: Chill out at Hawthorn Woods' Winter Carnival
Free
Winter Carnival
Do you wanna build a snowman? Hawthorn Woods celebrates the season with a snowman-building contest, sledding, old-fashioned wagon rides, music, games, entertainment, refreshments and more at its annual Winter Carnival in Community Park, 5 Park View Lane. Free. vhw.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
Community Dance Party
Have you ever wanted to play life-size Jenga and Kerplunk? Now's your chance when the Villa Park Recreation Department hosts its Community Dance Party in the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa Ave. Also, enjoy performances by the All Star Sports Boys Hip Hop group, music and dancing. Pizza, popcorn and soda will be served. Free. (630) 834-8970. 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
Free days at Shedd
Here's a bargain: Illinois residents can take advantage of free general admission to the John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 23-24. See creatures from across the globe — from those who swim in the Great Lakes to those who reside in the Amazon or the Caribbean reef and beyond. (312) 939-2438 or sheddaquarium.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 23-24
$15 and under
David Bazan
Indie rock singer and songwriter David Bazan headlines The Union, 129 W. Benton Ave., Naperville. Before heading out on his solo career, Bazan was the lead singer in the bands Pedro the Lion and Headphones. $5-$15. (630) 637-5106 or theunionnetwork.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb 20
'Dancing at Lughnasa'
See “Dancing at Lughnasa,” about five sisters in rural Donegal, Ireland, who are trying to adapt to a rapidly changing world, at Wheaton College's Arena Theater, 433 Howard St., Wheaton. $9-$10. (630) 752-5800 or wheaton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, and Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 25-26
Play ball!
Sports historian Bruce Allerdice presents “Before the Chicago Cubs: Baseball Comes to the Windy City,” about baseball in Chicago in the 1850s and 1860s, during a Glen Ellyn Historical Society-sponsored program at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Allerdice looks at how the Civil War affected the spread of baseball, how the Cubs were formed and more. Tickets cost $5 for adults; students younger than 18 admitted free. (630) 469-1867 or glenellynhistory.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
Infinity
Head back to the '70s and '80s when rock cover band Infinity, which specializes in hits from Journey, Boston, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Styx, Queen, REO Speedwagon and others, plays Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. $8. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
'Driving in Style'
See a variety of car dealers' plastic model promotional cars from years gone by as the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, showcases its “Driving in Style: Promo Cars of the 1950s and 60s.” The exhibit is on display in the McCormick House, adjacent to museum. $3-$5; free for kids younger than 5. Free admission on Fridays. (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org. Runs through Sunday, May 3. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday