What? A ballet in a bookstore?
Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble members will offer dancing lessons to kids and will perform excerpts from "The Nutcracker" holiday ballet in the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Deer Park. Guests can also hear a special reading of the story of "The Nutcracker."
Dance lessons at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, followed by a performance at 1 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 20600 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Free and open to the public. (847) 438-7444.
Special day for special kids
The Elmhurst Art Museum hosts its Special Kids Day where children with special needs and their families can get into the holiday spirit. Children will receive a goody bag and treats and can create holiday art projects. Perhaps best of all, each child will get to visit with Santa Claus with no pressure of a time limit. The children can chat at their own pace. Free photos with Santa are offered.
Runs 3:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. Admission for the children and their families is free during the event. (630) 530-8000 or specialkidsday.org.
The history of holiday candy
Learn about the history of candy in the 1890s - from sweetmeats to lollipops - at the Holiday Candy program at Kline Creek Farm. Watch the skills involved in making candy, from boiling the sugar syrup over a wood-burning stove to testing for the various candy readiness stages. Guests can even take home recipes adapted for modern kitchens.
Demonstrations at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, Winfield. Free. No reservations required. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com.
Chicago's own Scott DuBose in Schaumburg
Scott DuBose and his band The 101 Ranch perform country music at John Barleycorn. DuBose, a native of Chicago's South Side, has performed alongside country stars such as Charlie Daniels and Montgomery Gentry.
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at John Barleycorn, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg. Free admission. (847) 619-5540 or johnbarleycorn.com.
$10 and under
The Hills are alive with the sound of music
Anne Hills brings her own style of folk/country music to Fitzgerald's.
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Arts and crafts galore
View and buy handmade arts and crafts at 270 indoor booths during the Festival of Arts and Crafts in Grayslake. Exhibitors from seven states will display and sell their work.
Facts: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Lake County Fairgrounds' new location at 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Admission is $2; free for children younger than 12. Free parking. Call (847) 301-8543 or visit stepbysteppromotions.com.
Santa gets sketchy
See the best and worst of the holiday spirit come out in various comical characters in "Santa's Great American Depression Holiday Show! America," a sketch comedy revue featuring alumni of Improv Olympic and Second City actors.
Facts: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through Saturday, Dec. 13, at Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $10 regular run. (773) 283-7071.