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Weekend picks: Rock hard for the holidays with Bret Michaels

Jingle rock

Fans of the heavy metal band Poison won't want to miss a special Bret Michaels Christmas Show with special guests Bad Medicine performing a tribute to Bon Jovi tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

'Animal Secrets'

Learn what eagles feed their young and how a mother bat finds her babies in a cave in the “Animal Secrets” exhibit at the Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. Children can explore different environments, including a cave, a woodland and a meadow. $11-$12; free for kids younger than 1. (847) 832-6600 or kohlchildrensmuseum.org. Exhibit runs through Friday, Dec. 30. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 24-25

Wild lights

If your kids need some time out of the house over the holidays, why not pay a visit to Brookfield Zoo? The Chicago Zoological Society keeps things open over the weekend, and then resumes its evening Holiday Magic activities on Monday at the Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. $17.85; $12.50 seniors and kids. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (Holiday Magic resumes 4 to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, Dec. 26 to 31)

Festival of Lights

See more than 20,000 twinkling lights in holiday scenes at the Festival of Lights and Christmas Trees at the Cosley Zoo, 1356 North Ave., Wheaton. Visitors can purchase Christmas trees (with sales supporting the zoo), along with hot chocolate and holiday gifts. Free zoo admission during the festival. (630) 665-5534 or cosleyzoo.org. 3 to 9 p.m. nightly through Friday, Dec. 30. Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 24, and Dec. 31. Closed Sunday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1

Lighting up the night

Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoo Lights celebration features musical light shows and holiday activities throughout the zoo grounds. Lincoln Park Zoo is at 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Free. lpzoo.org. 4:30 to 9 p.m. nightly through Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday through Sunday, Dec. 26-Jan. 1

Victorian Christmas

Get in the outdoor holiday spirit at Antioch's Dickens Holiday Village, which features life-size figures from Charles Dickens' classic tale “A Christmas Carol” in scenes from 19th-century England, at Lake and Main streets in downtown Antioch. Free. (847) 395-2233 or antiochchamber.org. Daily through Sunday, Dec. 25

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" concert on Friday, Dec. 23, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. Courtesy of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Holiday spectacle

If you want your seasonal carols to be rocked up and punctuated by pyrotechnics, then don't miss the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” concerts today at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $46.50-$76.50. $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 3:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

Lace up those skates

Strap on ice skates and hit the skating rink for Frozemont's Skating in the Park at MB Financial Park at Rosemont, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. In the evening, skaters can zip around on the ice under holiday lights. Free admission; skate rental is available for $8. 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24; 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 26-30; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Runs various days through Sunday, Feb. 26. For a schedule, see rosemont.com.

Feliz Navidad

Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez is the star mariachi ensemble featured in a special “Merry-Achi Christmas Concert” tonight at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $40-$75. (773) 777-8898 or mariachiinstituteofchicago.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

Comedy newscaster

You may know Pat Tomasulo as a WGN morning news sports anchor. But he also does standup comedy on the side, and you can see him onstage for three shows starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com/rosemont. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

Southwest suburban-based Commonweather plays Chicago's Cubby Bear Friday, Dec. 23.

Commonweather at the Cubby Bear

Commonweather's sound is intriguing. One second the Plainfield- and Joliet-based rockers are riding an organic, guitar-based groove, the next they're shredding up the stage with vocals blazing. Their April release, “Apparitions,” has barely cooled, but the quartet is already hard at work on the next EP. Expect to hear something new when they play the Cubby Bear Friday with fellow rockers Gardens, Stratford and Dude Same. 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison Ave., Chicago. $5-$7. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Tacky fun

Compete to win prizes and revel in drink specials at an Ugly Sweater Party tonight at Timothy O'Tooles, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. No admission charge. (847) 984-2599 or timothyotooles.com. 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

Take a walk

Enjoy a free stroll through the Morton Arboretum or the Botanic Garden. The grounds of both spots are open, though the holiday extras are not. Check websites for full details. The arboretum is open from 7 a.m. to sunset. It's at 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. The garden is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The Regenstein Center and Wonderland Express are closed. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

Hit the slopes

Villa Olivia in Bartlett is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1401 W. Lake St. (630) 289-1000 or villaolivia.com. Four Lakes Ski & Snowboard Area is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. (630) 964-2550 or fourlakessnowsports.com. Check websites for rates and rental information.

Skate your cares away

Go skating at Frozemont. The outdoor rink at Rosemont's MB Financial Park will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. It's free if you have your own skates, $8 to rent. mbparkatrosemont.com.

All of the lights

Ooh and ahh at Mooseheart's seventh annual Holiday Lights display. The drive-through display is open from 5 to 9 p.m. and features more than 80 lighted displays along a 1.8-mile route. Mooseheart is between North Aurora and Batavia, two miles north of I-88 on Route 31. $10 per car, cash only. mooseheart.org.

Holiday preserves

Spend part of Christmas Day outdoors with no admission charge on Sunday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Free, but No Illumination: Tree Lights. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 7 a.m. to sunset Sunday, Dec. 25

Seasonal fun indoors

Enjoy holiday thrills without the chills at the 16th annual Winter WonderFest, which features festive decor on nearly 500 trees, indoor ice skating and more. It's ongoing through Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $10-$25. (800) 595-7437 or navypier.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (closed Dec. 25); 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Jan. 1 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24); through Jan. 11

Build it

Check out Legoland Discovery Center. Lego lovers can enjoy a number of attractions including a winter wonderland and a life-size Lego Santa. Legoland, at Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Day. General admission is $19. (847) 592-9700 or legolanddiscoverycenter.com/chicago.

'Fiddler on the Roof'

Celebrate the start of Hanukkah with a screening of the 1971 Academy Award-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Directed by Norman Jewison and starring Topol and Norma Crane, the film follows a poor milkman and his family while they try to keep up with their Jewish faith and traditions in Czarist Russia. Songs include “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” $8-$12. musicboxtheatre.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25

The Plain White T's hit Waukegan's Genesee Theatre for the "Hometown Throwdown" Wednesday, Dec. 28. Courtesy of the Plain White T's

Concert highlights:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra with “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve”: 3:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $46.50-$76.50. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Inept, StarStruck, Ryan's Hope, The Burst and Bloom, Starter Kit: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $13. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

Bear Mace, Beyond De-th, Mexican Werewolf: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Reggies, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $15-$19. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Mr. Blotto & Shooter McGavin - Staying up for Santa Pajama Party!: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $10-$12. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.

Merry-Achi Christmas Concert with Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez Band and others: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $40-$75. (773) 777-8899 or copernicuscenter.org.

Roselle Folk Christmas Benefit Show for National Multiple Sclerosis Society: 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at 4 Points Whiskey Saloon & Grill, 6N744 Medinah Road, Medinah. Hometown Christmas folk music benefit show. Event will help raise funds for the National MS Society. Performers include Mike and Olivia (acoustic guitar and banjo folk duo); Kyle Tasch (folk, Christmas carols and comedy solo act with special guests and singalongs); Tom Malouf, founding member of Chunkie Monkey and others. All ages welcome for dining until 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., show is for ages 21 and older. No cover charge. Donations welcome at main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/rosellefolknight.

Bret Michaels' Christmas Show: 8 Friday, Dec. 23, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. Holiday tunes, hard rock and more. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Folk duo Chris McIntosh & Alvin McGovern at Two Way Street Coffee House's Annual Christmas Show: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $10. (630) 969-9720 or twowaystreet.org.

Owens Room plays Chicago's House of Blues with DNK., The Giving Moon and Trick Shooter Social Club Thursday, Dec. 29.

7th Heaven, Hillbilly Rockstarz: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Rock. $10. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

The Personnel: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Mickey Finn's, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free. (847) 362-6688 or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com.

The Redmonds Family Christmas Show: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Fitzgeralds's Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Group performs hits from artists including Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Civil Wars and the Lumineers, along with original tunes. $12. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Modern Day Romeos: 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Run Forrest Run: 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Mr. Blotto's Annual Christmas Show: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $15. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Plain White T's - Hometown Throwdown with guests AM Taxi and Fairview: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Pop, punk, rock. $25-$45. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

Ryan Powers and the Secret Weapons warms up Chicago's winter chill at the Cobra Lounge Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Ryan Powers and The Secret Weapons, Daniel Wade, More More More, Michael Chorvat and Dave Valdez: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $7-$10. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.

DNK., The Giving Moon, Trick Shooter Social Club, Owens Room: 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

Morris Day & The Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock. $29.50-$54. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

Hemmingbirds, Mutts, Archie Powell & The Exports, Jesse W. Johnson: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.

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