Go guide
Freebie!
Holiday tour
See a farmhouse decked in greens, and savor the aroma of holiday treats during the guided "1890s Christmas House Tour." Guests will stroll through the farmhouse to view various rooms - see a dining room table set with its best china for a gathering. In the sitting room, see a traditional Christmas tree with ornaments from the 1890s period. In the parlor, a goose feather tree - a traditional German Christmas tree - will be featured.
Tours begin on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 22. Tours run again from Friday Dec. 26, through Monday, Dec. 29, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, Winfield. Free admission. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com.
This afternoon
There's magic in the air
Head out to Brookfield Zoo for the "27th Annual Holiday Magic Festival." The event features nearly 1 million lights, illuminating the zoo's walkways. Other highlights include the Elf Express mini train ride, a "Laser and Light Spectacular" show, ice-carving demonstrations, live music and dance performances, celebrity storytellers, magicians, visits with Santa Claus and a chance to see favorite animals.
4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, and again Friday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Activities are free (except for the rides and the photos with animals) with paid $7-$11 zoo admission. Parking is $8 per car. (708) 688-8000 or brookfieldzoo.org.
More nutty fun
Von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet presents "The Nutcracker," Tchaikovsky's classic holiday ballet about a young girl who helps a cursed nutcracker prince defeat the Rat King.
2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $25-$35. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.
Classic Capra
The Improv Playhouse presents "It's a Wonderful Life," the radio play. This radio version of the classic Frank Capra 1946 film tells the story of a suicidal family man who sees what happens if he had never lived - courtesy of an intervening angel.
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach. $7-$10. Call Improv Playhouse at (847) 968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com.
This evening
May I have this dance?
The public is invited to attend the Yorkville Big Band Dance, featuring the music of the 21-piece Yorkville Big Band. Dance lessons are offered, and open dancing follows. Free appetizers will be served.
5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Parkview Academy, 201 W. Center St., Yorkville. Admission is $15 per person. Visit yorkvillebigband.com.
Lots and lots of lights!
"Clearbrook's Fourth Annual Wonderland of Lights" features millions of colorful holiday lights including 300 animated displays.
Runs daily through Thursday, Jan. 1 (including Wednesday, Dec. 24, Thursday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Dec. 31), at Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 5:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. $10 per car Mondays through Thursdays, and $12 per car Fridays through Sundays. (847) 577-4646 or clearbrook.org.
Rick has not left the building
Elvis Presley impersonator Rick Saucedo, who has named himself "The Prince of Rock and Roll," presents a musical tribute to Presley.
7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Durty Nellie's 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $5. (847) 358-9150
This week
The comical side of life
Comedienne Patti Vasquez headlines at Zanies at the Pheasant Run Resort. Vasquez looks at the comical side of marriage, motherhood and life in general.
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $22, plus a two-item food/beverage minimum. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com.