Budget-friendly fun: Warm up to music at Metropolis

Free

Give it a try!

Guests are invited to try playing a variety of musical instruments as the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts hosts a Musical Instrument Petting Zoo at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Metropolis faculty will demonstrate the instruments and answer questions. Free. metropolisarts.com/sopa. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Holiday on the Farm

Crafts, music and a bake sale highlight Holiday on the Farm at the Wood Dale Historical Society, 850 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. Other events include a white-elephant sale, refreshments, a raffle and more. Free admission; donations are welcome. For information, call Judi at (630) 595-0360 or Ruth at (630) 766-6067. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4

A holly, jolly concert

The Elmhurst Historical Museum sponsors the second annual Jolly Old St. Nicholas Concert at Yorkfield Presbyterian Church, at 1099 S. York St., Elmhurst. The Elmhurst Damenchor, a women's chorus, will perform traditional German carols. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas to the event, where they can have photos taken with St. Nick. Guests can have a cup of cocoa from a hot cocoa bar. Free admission. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4

Living Nativity

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit presents two outdoor performances of the Living Nativity at the church, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. Cast includes local actors, musicians and singers. Live animals will also be part of the presentation of the Christmas story. After each performance, guests are invited into the church for complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Handicapped-accessible parking and seating available. Admission is free. (847) 437-5897 or holyspiritlutheranchurchelkgrove.org. Performances at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

$15 and under

Happy shopping

Vendors from across the country will feature holiday gifts and crafts at more than 500 booths as Lambs Farm hosts the 35th Annual Holiday Lights Gift & Craft Fair at Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Lambs will also sell items from the farm's bakery, country store and thrift shop. Admission is $8 per person. Parking is $7 per vehicle. A portion of the proceeds will help support Lambs Farm's programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Visit holidaylightslambsfarm.com for a coupon for $1 off admission and to enter to win free tickets. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Hooray for Hollywood

Movie memorabilia fans can browse through thousands of collectible items including DVDs, movie magazines, posters, movie stills, celebrity autographs, film books and collectible toys at the Golden Age of Hollywood Show at the Holiday Inn North Shore, 5300 W. Touhy Ave, Skokie. Admission is $5 for adults; free for those under 18 when accompanied by a paying adult. goldenageofhollywoodshow.com. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 5

Skate with Santa

Families are invited to roller skate with St. Nicholas, the Minions and SpongeBob SquarePants at the Skate with Santa celebration at the Orbit Skate Center, 615 S. Consumers Ave., Palatine. Hot chocolate, candy canes and holiday music are also featured. Admission is $6 and includes skate rental. (847) 394-9199 or orbitskate.net. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 5 (for kids ages 10 and younger and their families), and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 (for kids ages 12 and younger and their families)

Mistletoe Market

Holiday shoppers can purchase handcrafted gifts, made by local artisans, at Cantigny's Mistletoe Market, inside the Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 S. Winfield Road, Wheaton. Events continue into the evening with the Holiday Festival, featuring seasonal music from the Canterbury Carollers and musicians from the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand. Other highlights include horse-drawn sleigh rides ($2 per person), a live reindeer display, face painting ($3 per person) and holiday treats. The Robert R. McCormick Museum will host a Holiday Open House with Community Trees, the annual display of Christmas trees decorated by local nonprofit groups. Activities are free except where noted. Parking is $5; $2 after 4 p.m. cantigny.org. Events run 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5