Budget-friendly fun: Lego Train Show takes over Cantigny
Free
Lego Train Show
Calling all Lego lovers: Thousands of Lego bricks are transformed into a variety of landscape and holiday scenes at the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club's 14th Annual Show in the Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. New to this year's show is a 26-foot-long Lego replica of the U.S. naval battleship the USS Missouri on display in the First Division Museum's lobby. Free admission with paid $5 parking fee; parking is free if you donate a new unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots drop boxes inside the Visitors Center. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13
'Home Alone'
See a free screening of the 1990 family holiday film “Home Alone,” written and produced by John Hughes, at the Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. The PG-rated film stars Macaulay Culkin as an 8-year-old who, when accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation, goes to great lengths to protect his home from a pair of burglars. Guests can take photos with Santa Claus, who will be on hand to greet moviegoers. classiccinemas.com. Doors open at 9 a.m.; movie starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Long Grove celebrates the season
Celebrate the season with holiday festivities in downtown Long Grove, at Robert Parker Coffin and Old McHenry roads. Free holiday horse-drawn carriage rides run from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday starting at Mill Pond Shoppes. Santa Claus visits with guests from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Visitors Center. Bring a camera to take photos with Santa. Other highlights include free performances by the Long Grove Carolers from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and the Adlai E. Stevenson High School choral group from noon to 1 p.m. and the Top of the World Quartet from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The groups will stroll throughout the village performing. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. Holiday events run weekends through Sunday, Dec. 20
$15 and under
Winter Festival
Randall Oaks Zoo hosts its first Winter Festival, including hayrides, Santa Claus sightings, ice sculpting on Saturdays, live reindeer from 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays, caroling to the animals, bonfires and more, in Randall Oaks Park, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Plus, the zoo is decorated with more than 3,000 feet of holiday lights. Activities are included with $3.25-$4 general zoo admission, except for hayrides ($2 per person) and face painting ($3-$5). dtpd.org. 2 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 11-13 and 18-20
Boston Brass
The Boston Brass quintet performs classical, jazz and holiday selections during two concerts in Bennett Gordon Hall at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org. 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11
Holiday Faire
The McHenry County Fair Association hosts its annual Holiday Faire at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. With a theme of “Homemade for the Holidays,” the fair showcases 30 booths of handmade items and holiday gifts for purchase. Kids can create winter crafts and holiday ornaments, and Santa Claus will visit with guests. Other highlights include a hayride with storytelling, gingerbread house and cookie-making competitions and more. Admission is $2 per person, or one nonperishable food item for donation to local food pantries. Children ages 7 and younger admitted free. (815) 338-5315 or mchenrycountyfair.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
Mike and Joe
Rock out to hits from the '90s to the present when Mike and Joe performs songs from Foo Fighters, Fallout Boy, Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran and more at H.O.M.E Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $5-$10. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12